If you’re looking to start a business, the Fennimore community welcomes you! Below are resources that can assist you on your journey to entrepreneurship.
We understand that starting a new business can be overwhelming. If you would like assistance locating an existing property, would like to discuss land acquisition, or have any questions or concerns while navigating information and resources available, please feel free to contact Jessica Helms, Community Development Manager, at 608-822-3599 or promo@fennimore.com. The Fennimore community is here for you!
Small Business Development Resources
Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The Small Business Development Center in Southwest Wisconsin helps entrepreneurs succeed at any stage. They offer no-cost, confidential consulting and business education across a wide region, primarily serving Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette and Richland counties.
Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP) Business Development
With over 60 new businesses launched, 100 business assists, and over 1.5 million in funding leveraged for our area businesses, the experienced staff at SWCAP will help you reach your business goals.
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) assists individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening or expanding businesses by providing direct lending, quality business and financial capability education and one-on-one technical business assistance. Services are open to anyone but their focus is women, people of color and people of lower wealth – those most likely to face barriers in accessing financing or educational support.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College has been a part of the life in Southwest Wisconsin for more than half a century. They have influenced, and been influenced by the many communities, people, private and public entities, and organizations that make up, and stretch beyond our district area. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College offers associate degree programs, technical diplomas, and continuing education courses covering a wide variety of topics and skillsets.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.
Start in Southwest Wisconsin
Start In Southwest Wisconsin is the premier network for local businesses. For owners and startups, Start In Southwest Wisconsin will power connections to start, scale and accelerate area entrepreneurs. For the established resource network, Start In Southwest Wisconsin will be a platform to provide best fit referrals, build your network, and to showcase the story of entrepreneurship in our region.
SCORE
SCORE Madison provides mentors and programs to small businesses and entrepreneurs to help them succeed. Mentoring services are provided at NO COST; many programs are provided at minimum or no cost; advice is always FREE!
United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development
USDA Rural Development offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services such as housing; health care; first responder services and equipment; and water, electric and communications infrastructure.
USDA Rural Development promotes economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks, credit unions and community-managed lending pools. We offer technical assistance and information to help agricultural producers and cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their operations.
They provide technical assistance to help communities undertake community empowerment programs. They also help rural residents buy or rent safe, affordable housing and make health and safety repairs to their homes.
USDA Rural Development Resource Guide for Rural Entrepreneurs
Resources for Rural Entrepreneurs: A Guide to Planning, Adapting, and Growing Your Business
The guide features information on how rural entrepreneurs can use USDA and other Federal programs to access financing and other assistance to help start and expand their businesses. It includes tools to help them:
- expand their access to capital to create small business incubators.
- create value-added agricultural products.
- access high-speed internet to connect their businesses to national and global markets.
- cut energy costs.
- access health care resources to enhance the quality of life for their employees.
- access workforce development and training opportunities to improve their skills, products and services, and more.
The guide also features firsthand stories from Rural Development customers on ways USDA programs and services have helped them start or expand businesses.
WBD, Inc.
WBD, Inc.’s mission is to assist small businesses in gaining access to capital in order to grow their businesses, create jobs and build communities. The cornerstone of WBD’s success is providing access to the SBA 504 loan product. Available exclusively from not-for-profit Certified Development Companies (CDC), the SBA 504 loan fulfills the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) public policy objective to support small businesses and create jobs in our communities through long-term, fixed-rate financing.
WebWise Design & Marketing
WebWise Design & Marketing, based in Fennimore, understands that starting or growing a small business can be a daunting task. WebWise Design & Marketing can help you develop a website for your business quickly that will do well in Google search results for an affordable cost. Learn more about their SMB Starter Websites and review their portfolio.
