DBIA Wisconsin Resources/Contacts

USDA Rural Development – Wisconsin State Office

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

• Contact: Krista Knigge, Administrator – Division of Agricultural Development, 608-224-5142,

• Dairy Processor Grants - foster innovation, improve profitability, sustain long-term viability of WI dairy processing facilities, for licensed WI dairy processing plants, engaged in pasteurizing or manufacturing dairy products, or processing dairy products for sale or distribution, make operational improvements, improve profitability, and/or involve new process or innovation, requires 20% match, up to $50,000.
• Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grants - increase awareness and consumption of locally-produced foods and strengthen WI ag and food industries, organizations in operation for 2+ years including farms, value-added food businesses, processors, growers associations, farmer coops, schools/institutions, food service operations, non-profits, 1:1 match required, 2-year projects, $5,000-$50,000.
• Division of Ag Development – WI Farm Center – Hotline: 800-942-2474, Email: farmcenter@wisconsin.gov
  • Helping farmers with financial planning, mediation, herd-based diagnostics, and more; connecting farmers and families to mental health resources; dairy development
  • Contact: Norm Monsen, 608-225-5135
    

WI Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

• Business and Community Development Division, domestic programs – grants, loans, tax credits.
  • Contacts: Tina Chitwood, Sr. Regional Economic Development Director, 608-210-6733 and Tim Weber, Sr. Regional Economic Development Director, 608-210-6772

• Diverse Business Development Division
  • Contact: Seyoum Mengasha, Diverse Business Development Director, 608-210-6880

WI State Small Business Association (SBA) Office

SBA 504 Certified Development Corporations (CDCs)

• Wisconsin Business Development – Madison

• Business Lending Partners – Sturtevant, Racine & Green Bay

• TCM Certified Dev. Company – St. Paul (covers a number of Wisconsin’s northwestern counties)

SBA Micro Loan Lender

WI Technology Council

• Entrepreneurs’ Toolkit
  

Workforce Agency - Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

• Post open positions in your company, wage rates, wage subsidy programs, employee handbook information, training program subsidies, regulatory requirements for hiring employees

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) International Agribusiness Center

• Identifies export opportunities around the world for Wisconsin’s agricultural companies and producers, economic development consultants provide technical expertise and market development, export education, company consultations, buyers’ missions, trade missions, trade shows and trade show enhancement services, export marketing funding
  • International Agribusiness Center Services
    
  • International Agribusiness Center Contacts
  • Step by Step Guide to Exporting

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

• WEDC Global Network - industry, product and market assessments; Partner search, meeting facilitation, custom projects
  
• Global Business Development Grants
• ExporTechTM

Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP)

• Contact: Heidi Rabeneck, Outreach Program Manager, Professional Education Programs and Services
  
• International Market Access Grants (IMAG) – $10,000/year/company, $15,000 upon completion of the program (additional to the $10,000 IMAG based) for company graduates of the Exportech program.
• State Trade Export Partnership (STEP, SBA funds through WEDC) – supports trade missions, international trade show pavilions - $205,000 FY 2021-22.
• Collaborative Market Access Grant (CMAG) - $90,000 FY 2021 – support e-commerce entry and expansion in China