
Business Development Services
Organizations/Agencies
The Development Association,
Inc., Andrew Lisak/Michelle Johnsen—715-392-4749
1401 Tower Avenue, Suite302, Superior, WI 54880
The Development Associations
mission is to retain, expand and create new business and
industry in Douglas County. The organization administers the
Douglas County Revolving Loan Fund on behalf of Douglas County.
General information about other financing through the Department
of Commerce can also be obtained from The Development
Association.
Superior Business Center,
Inc., Michelle Johnsen—715-392-4749
1423 North 8th Street, Superior, WI 54880
The Superior Business Centers
mission is to “foster economic development in Superior/Douglas
County through the provision of leased space and/or other
resources to both existing and start-up businesses”. In
addition, the Center encourages the creation of new, viable
business enterprises; the generation and retention of long-term,
self-sustaining job opportunities; and the diversification of
our economic base.
The SBC is a multi-tenant
facility for small businesses. Target markets include, but is
not limited to, start-up businesses and expansion/relocation of
local businesses that could not otherwise survive in the area.
They also act as temporary housing of businesses in transition.
The SBC has developed a working
relationship with a number of organizations throughout the Twin
Ports who are willing to work more closely with the “incubator”
tenants.
The SBC also has a 2,600 sq. ft.
USDA certified commercial kitchen.
Superior Business Improvement
District—Kaye Tenerelli—715-394-3557
1401 Tower Avenue, Suite 302, Superior, WI 54880 (restricted to
boundaries within the downtown)
The Superior Business
Improvement District can assist an entrepreneur in locating
business sites and/or connect them with property owners within
the BID. Through the property owners, there are grants
available for signs, awnings and façade renovation. While we do
not provide one-on-one counseling, we welcome the opportunity to
discuss the entrepreneurs’ project and can act as a referral
source.
Northeast Entrepreneur Fund,
1-218-726-4791 or 1-800-422-0374, Ext. 402
1401 Tower Avenue, Suite 302, Superior, WI 54880
The mission of the Entrepreneur
Fund, is to create economic opportunity through
entrepreneurship. They help men and women start and grow small
businesses in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern
Wisconsin. They provide training, technical assistance and
financing, with a special focus on low-income, unemployed, and
underemployed individuals.
The Northeast Entrepreneur Fund
offers one-on-one counseling, education and have a loan fund
which can loan up to $100,000 to existing businesses that wish
to stabilize or expand. They offer a free Introduction Workshop
twice a month in the Superior/Duluth area, and Core Four classes
are offered 8 times a year in the Superior/Duluth area.
The Core Four class is $244 per
person, and $100 if the spouse of someone enrolled wishes to
attend also. No one will be turned away because they cannot
afford to pay; they use a sliding fee scale to determine what
they can afford and they also have other options as far as
scholarships for the Core Four class.
After a person receives a loan
through NEEF, for $100 (which is added to their loan amount),
they provide a consultant for one year to help the customer with
financial reports, questions, etc.
Entrepreneur Fund assisted
businesses, mostly start-ups, have a high survival rate; 85% are
still operating 2 years after receiving assistance.
UW-Superior Small Business
Development Center, Loren Erickson/Julianne Raymond
P.O. Box 2000, Superior, WI 54880—715-394-8325
Small Business Development
Center serves 8 counties in Northwestern Wisconsin: Ashland,
Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Sawyer and Washburn.
Primary services include
one-on-one, confidential business management counseling for
existing and new businesses, and those interested in starting a
business. Counseling is free of charge and funded through the
U.S. Small Business Administration. Topics can include business
planning, account and cash flow, financing and loan requests,
inventory, human resources, marketing and advertising, and
e-commerce.
In cooperation with the
Wisconsin Department of Commerce, the SBDC offers an 8-session
Entrepreneurial Training Certificate program which includes
lectures, materials, individual counseling and a 75% tuition
grant program for eligible participants who complete a written
business plan.
Additional services include free
group classes on First Steps to Owning a Business, usually as
arranged and scheduled in advance in specific communities.
Lake Superior
Region SCORE (various representatives depending on the
particular need of the entrepreneur)- 11 East Superior Street,
Duluth, MN - (218) 726-7857
SCORE is a nonprofit
corporation organized for charitable and educational purposes.
SCORE also is a business development resource of the Small
Business Administration, which sponsors and financially supports
SCORE operations.
The purpose of SCORE is to
strengthen the U.S. small business community through its
experienced volunteer SCORE members, who provide high quality
technical and managerial counseling and guidance to prospective
and existing small business owners and nonprofit organizations
on the handling of business problems. The Superior Chapter of
SCORE is dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation,
growth, and success of small business in northern Wisconsin, and
nearby area of neighboring states. Entrepreneurs seeking
information on establishing or operating a business can meet
with SCORE members for free advice on planning, financial
resources, and other matters.
Personnel Solutions (CEP) -
Dan Reinerio—715-392-6033
1805 North 14th Street, Ste.
1, Superior, WI 54880
Provides employment and training
services to businesses and citizens.
Northwest CEP is a private,
non-profit agency that has spent more than 30 years providing
employment and training services to the businesses and citizens
of the ten counties of Northwest Wisconsin. CEP is constantly
evolving to maintain its leadership role in employment and
training by offering timely services that improve local
economies, through the guidance of employer-led boards.
Northwest Wisconsin Community
Services Agency—Millie Rounsville—715-392-5127
1106 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI 54880
Their Business Development
Program provides the technical assistance, business planning
guidance and management skills training necessary for success.
Its services are provided at no cost to individuals who are
income eligible. The program operates within the agency’s
entire service area, which includes Douglas, Ashland, Bayfield,
Iron and Price Counties.
Services Offered:
Business Plan Development; Marketing; Profit/Loss Analysis; Cash
Flow Analysis; Bookkeeping; Credit/Collections; Employee Skills;
Inventory Control; Business Mentors; Ongoing Business Support.
Business License & Other Requirements
City of Superior Building
Inspection
1316 North 14th Street, Superior, WI
54880—715-395-7288
The Building Inspection Division would
need to be contacted for the following:
-
Change in the use of a building
-
Building construction (including, but not
limited to new construction, renovation/alterations of
existing structures)
-
Building modifications which include
electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and/or signage
-
Demolition of buildings or the
demolition (gutting) of the interior of buildings
-
Additions to buildings where drainage
of surface water would be affected.
City of Superior Planning &
Development
1316 North 14th
Street, Superior, WI 54880—715-395-7335
The following
items are handled by the Planning & Development Office:
-
Zoning Issues
-
Land Use
-
Land Sales
-
Vacations including streets and alleys
-
Design issues including setback requirements
and restrictions
-
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds
City of Superior—City Clerk
1316 North 14th
Street, Superior, WI 54880—715-395-7200
Licensing
requirement to conduct business in the City of Superior:
-
Seller’s permits, licensing of hotel/motel, mobile
home parks, Class A & B beer and liquor license.
-
Doing business in Superior—you must contact the
City Clerk’s office for licensing requirements and fees.
Department of Commerce
P.O. Box 7970, Madison, WI
53707—1-800-HELP-BUS
The Permit Information Center
does not issue any permits, but it acts as a clearinghouse for
businesses, answering any array of regulatory questions.
State agencies issue hundreds of different permits and
occupational licenses to businesses and individuals throughout
Wisconsin. The Permit Information Center help coordinate and
expedite the often complex permitting process. New, expanding
and existing businesses can quickly get the permitting
information they need.
Wisconsin Department of
Revenue
1225 Tower Avenue, Third Floor,
Superior, WI 54880—715-392-7985
-
Retail Sales or provide taxable services—Wisconsin
seller’s permit required—715-392-7985
-
Wisconsin Taxpayer Identification Number—If you hire
employees, a Wisconsin tax ID number is required—715-392-7985
-
Federal Taxpayer Identification Number—If you hire
employees, you are also required to obtain a federal ID number.
1-800-829-1040—IRS (Contact these agencies for information on
reporting business income for income tax purposes)
-
If you make taxable sales or provide taxable services in
Minnesota—Minnesota Department of Revenue—1-800-657-3777
-
If you hire Minnesota
employees—Minnesota Department of Revenue—1-800-657-3594
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