Entrepreneur Fund Announces Grant Opportunities for Northern Wisconsin Businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2023
Contact: Martha Bremer, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Entrepreneur Fund, marthab@efund.org, 218-623-5769
Entrepreneur Fund Announces Grant Opportunities for Northern Wisconsin Businesses
Northern Wisconsin – The Entrepreneur Fund is proud to introduce its Wisconsin Rural Equity Grant Program. As part of its commitment to northern Wisconsin businesses, the Entrepreneur Fund is awarding 30-40 grants of up to $10,000 each through 2024 to businesses in the now 12 northern Wisconsin counties they serve.
Designed to assist small businesses in northern Wisconsin, particularly those that are underbanked and have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wisconsin Rural Equity Grant Program is open to established, diverse owned businesses for a wide range of business uses. The first round of nominations are now open to businesses located in western Wisconsin counties and all Native nations in EFund’s service region. Nominate at efund.org/Wisconsin.
In addition to the grant program, Wisconsin entrepreneurs can benefit from loans such as the SBA Microloan, SBA 7(a), and USDA loans, with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $750,000. Wisconsin business owners are eligible for reduced interest rates on loans through 2024 for up to $6 million in total lending.
“In collaboration with our new and current partners, we are working to foster a network where businesses in northern Wisconsin can advance both innovation and opportunity with new resources,” said Shawn Wellnitz, Entrepreneur Fund CEO and President. “Together, we are creating a supportive community that recognizes the individual requirements of each entrepreneur, steering them towards success in today's business landscape.”
The Entrepreneur Fund is also expanding its growth-focused programming, such as the Be Strategic courses, designed to assist businesses in strategic planning and expansion. Three courses are being offered this fall in Ashland, Hayward and Spooner.
The expansion of EFund’s services into northern Wisconsin is fueled by $8 million in Diverse Business Assistance and Diverse Business Investment grants from the state of Wisconsin. The funding is aimed at assisting small business owners who've experienced barriers to capital and who've been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information about the Entrepreneur Fund and its expanded services and grant opportunities in northern Wisconsin, visit efund.org/Wisconsin.
About the Entrepreneur Fund
The Entrepreneur Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering businesses and promoting economic growth and success in Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. For over 30 years, our team has been dedicated to providing accessible capital and strategic advising to entrepreneurs as they create and grow successful businesses, thriving communities and a diverse regional economy. Learn more at www.efund.org.
