WCEDA is your source for all things business - workforce, expansions, location resources, financial connections, legislative advocacy, career awareness with youth, networking events, and initiatives to address county-wide issues like housing. |
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In this email... Upcoming Events l Membership News Workforce News l County Developments Economic Indicators l Other News
Valuable Resources |
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| WCEDA 20th Anniversary Sponsor
We proudly acknowledge our 20th Anniversary Sponsor, whose support allows WCEDA to deliver valuable programs, insights, and connections to the businesses and communities we serve. Their commitment helps ensure a thriving future for Walworth County. |
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| Welcome to the team, Joel Espinoza!
We are pleased to welcome Joel Espinoza to our team as our new Deputy Director.
Joel Espinoza is a workforce development and training leader with extensive experience in instructional design, employer engagement, operational improvement, and bilingual workforce programming. Throughout his career, he has led training initiatives, built employer partnerships, secured funding, improved compliance systems, and developed practical solutions that strengthen both employee performance and organizational effectiveness. His background spans workforce development, healthcare operations, adult education, and business services, with a consistent focus on turning strategy into measurable results.
Over the past seven years, Joel has served WCEDA in a variety of roles, most recently as an instructor for our Spanish Communication & Cultural Competency program and as part-time support for program operations. His work with WCEDA has contributed to the expansion of our business and workforce solutions and the improvement of employer engagement and operational processes. Joel brings a valuable skill set, a strong passion for our mission, and a vibrant sense of humor that will be a great asset to our team.
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WCEDA's Fourth Annual Workforce Symposium Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Cove of Lake Geneva • 8:30am to 11:30am Build a Place People Don’t Want to Leave Rethinking Culture, Connection & Community for the Next Generation Attracting talent is no longer the hardest part - keeping it is. Today’s next generation of professionals aren’t just choosing jobs. They’re choosing environments. They’re choosing relationships. They’re choosing places where they can see a future for themselves, not just professionally, but personally.
And when those elements are missing, they leave. In this keynote, Angela Damiani, CEO of NEWaukee, challenges leaders to rethink what it actually takes to build workplaces, and communities, that people don’t want to leave.
From there, the conversation continues with practical insights and interactive discussions designed to turn ideas into action: -
A panel of regional business leaders sharing real-world strategies for attracting and retaining talent
- An interactive focus group experience designed to generate ideas and solutions
- A young talent panel focused on shaping the future of a Walworth County NextGen Professionals Alliance
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Angela Damiani is the CEO and co-founder of NEWaukee, an experience design firm based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A visionary leader and dynamic community builder, Angela has dedicated her career to reimagining how people connect with one another. She is also a serial entrepreneur, leveraging her passion for innovation and connection to launch and support ventures that drive meaningful impact in people’s careers and communities. Damiani plays a pivotal role in supporting the startup ecosystem as the lead curator of the Midwest Founders Community. Through this initiative, she fosters collaboration, mentorship, and resource sharing among entrepreneurs across the region, helping to cultivate a thriving network of founders supporting founders. Under her leadership, NEWaukee has become a nationally recognized organization, earning accolades for its creative approach to transforming public spaces and driving economic development through meaningful in-person experiences. Angela is deeply passionate about activating communities, elevating local voices, and bridging gaps between diverse groups.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Angela is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and advocate for urban innovation, frequently sharing insights on how to inspire civic pride and collective action. With a strong commitment to collaboration and an eye for unconventional solutions, Angela continues to be a catalyst for positive change – living by the mantra, “But, what if we could?!” She believes there is no challenge too big that can’t be tackled by simply asking “how”. |
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| WCEDA's Annual State of the County
June 23, 2026 • 7:30-9:00am Gateway Technical College, Elkhorn Campus
From an economic standpoint, Walworth County is very strong. This is good for locals businesses and good for businesses looking to locate here.
Come find out more about the state of the county, including state and region perspectives. This is a great opportunity to learn how our taxes are being spent, as well as the tax implications for the future and how this all impacts business development going forward. |
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County-Wide Chamber Business After Hours
April 23, 2026, 5-7 p.m. East Troy Electric Railroad Free event for members Here's your chance to mingle with business leaders from all nine Walworth County membership organizations. You won't want to miss this to learn something new while meeting someone new. |
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| CCA YouthBuild Tours
We kicked off the spring semester Career & College Academy YouthBuild tour series on March 9!
So far we've had a great visit to Kunes Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Elkhorn on March 9, on March 23 we headed to RR Walton for a behind the scenes look at their work, and on March 30, we visited Prop Shaft Supply!
Help us send a huge thank you to all our hosting companies for opening their doors and donating their time to show these students career opportunities in our county! |
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Mock Interviews Elkhorn Area High School May 4-7, 2026
Register now to take part in English 11 Mock Interviews. *Multiple dates and times available. [Register] |
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| EAHS Job Fair & Career Expo Elkhorn Area High School Thursday | April 9 | 11am to 12:15pm
Whether you're looking to hire high school students now, planning for future openings, or hoping to inspire the next generation, this is your chance to connect directly with motivated students.
Every business gets a table to highlight what makes your company great! Meet 9th–10th graders in the first session and 11th–12th graders in the second.
Don't miss out—join us and help students discover exciting career paths! [Register]
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Whippet Pathways Day Whitewater High School Friday | April 17 | 8:45am to NOON
Join Whitewater High School for a new event designed for career alignment. Students will select businesses connected with their interests and participate in interactive classroom sessions. Traditional Career Fair to follow. [Register] |
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Step Into Your Future: Career Day Event Delavan-Darien High School Friday | April 24 | 7:30am to 1:30pm This event provides a unique platform to connect with students and inspire the next generation of professionals. When joining us, your business will have the opportunity to: - Showcase Your Industry: Set up a table to highlight your business, display promotional materials, and engage with students eager to learn about career opportunities.
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Engage in Informational Sessions: Participate in three interactive sessions where you can share your professional journey, company culture, and career insights directly with students.
- Inspire the Future Workforce: Connect with students who are actively preparing for their careers and provide mentorship to help guide their aspirations.
Register by Wednesday, April 8. [Register] |
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Spanish for Business
Organizations in Wisconsin increasingly operate with bilingual, culturally diverse workforces. When language and cultural gaps exist between supervisors and front-line employees, important information can be misunderstood—affecting safety, quality, and productivity.
This custom program strengthens communication across English- and Spanish-speaking team members using job-specific Spanish, cultural competency, and real manufacturing scenarios. |
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In-Progress Custom Course |
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Same package, new contents!
Fundamentals of Leadership 2.0
Leadership isn’t built in a day—it’s cultivated through coaching, practice, and reflection. WCEDA’s Fundamentals of Leadership program helps emerging and existing leaders develop the soft skills that drive measurable results: better communication, higher engagement, and stronger teams.
So what's new?
You asked, we listened. This course has gone CUSTOM! Now you can host your own private, custom course at your location!
When Fundamentals of Leadership is delivered onsite, the program becomes fully integrated into your organization. Participants learn together using real workplace situations, shared challenges, and common goals, allowing leadership skills to be applied immediately and consistently across teams.
Because the training takes place within your own environment, discussions naturally align with your company’s culture, expectations, and day-to-day operations. Leaders leave each session with practical strategies they can implement right away, creating momentum that extends beyond the classroom.
Training together also strengthens internal relationships among supervisors and managers. Participants develop a shared language around leadership and a clearer understanding of expectations, helping create consistency in how teams are led across the organization.
The result? A unified leadership approach that strengthens communication, builds confidence, and supports a positive workplace culture—helping your organization grow stronger from within. Contact us to learn more! [Learn More]
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| Top Level Leadership
Bringing together senior and executive-level managers who are dedicated to creating not only the most technically proficient organizations but the healthiest, most nimble teams and dynamic organizational cultures.
This advanced leadership series isn’t a one-off course. We’re presenting an opportunity to join others and work with an expert in organizational psychology, organizational development and change leadership on building the human side of your business. We know that our local business community is the most technically capable out there. We also know that what prevents us from realizing our greatness has a human face.
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About WCEDA's Workforce
Housing Program Housing has quickly become an increasing priority for WCEDA to address. It is an issue that may be the number one barrier for workforce at the moment...
Go to WCEDA's Housing Page to learn more. |
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WCEDA News Notes Monthly
Housing Newsletter
Would you like to stay up to date on the progress of WCEDA's Housing Initiative to address workforce housing in our county? Let us know and we'll add you to the News Notes email list! Email pam@walworthbusiness.com. |
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What is TIF?
Tax Increment Financing Plays A Growing Role in Addressing Walworth County Housing Needs
As we navigate the housing market, watching the municipalities work with developers to build attainable housing, we encounter the TIF dialogue around every corner. The local leaders are increasingly turning to TIF, a familiar – but evolving – tool.
Long used to support economic development, TIF is now emerging as a key strategy in efforts to expand workforce housing and address rising costs that are affecting families, employers, and communities alike.
TIF allows municipalities to invest in targeted development areas by using the future increase in property tax revenue generated by new construction. Once a Tax Increment District (TID) is established, the existing property value is set as a baseline. As development occurs and values rise, the additional tax revenue—known as the “increment”—is reinvested into the district to help cover infrastructure and development costs. [Read more]
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| Radius Named Processor of the Year
Radius Packaging has been named the 2025 Plastics News Processor of the Year.
Announced at the Plastics News Executive Forum, this top industry honor recognizes Radius for its strong financial performance, commitment to sustainability and focus on employee engagement.
“This award reflects the talent, commitment and passion of our team across every function and facility,” CEO Tom Frank said.
[Read more] |
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| Another custom oven out the door! Wisconsin Oven Corporation announced the shipment of one custom, electrically heated, six-tier batch oven with a dedicated cool-down chamber to a manufacturer of glass products. This industrial curing oven will be used to cure adhesive in glass assemblies.
The adhesive curing oven is designed to heat 960 pounds of product from 21°C to 140°C and has a maximum operating temperature of 150°C (302°F). The oven and cool-down chamber include six tiers for processing the assemblies. Each tier is equipped with an independently operated pneumatic vertical hinged door to allow for efficient loading and unloading. A carbon steel rack provided in both the oven and cool-down for supporting product loads in each tier. [Read more]
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| WCVB Annual Dinner Meeting
Thurs, April 30 | 5:30-8:30 pm Walworth County Fairgrounds Dining Hall
All-American energy meets hometown pride at the WCVB Annual Dinner—celebrating WalCo tourism and the national stage! Join us for Stars, Stripes & Spotlight, a patriotic celebration featuring an all-American buffet with hometown talent that has reached national audiences. Experience live appearances and storytelling from: • Next Level Baker Chad Visger, Pastries by Chad • Merlin Award-winning Illusionist Tristan Crist, Tristan Crist Magic Theatre • Dungeons and Dragons inspired Dragon Days, The Gygax Memorial Fund, Paul Stormberg & Sonja Akright Wear your red, white, and/or blue — and join us.
Registration deadline Fri, April 17 [Register] |
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Elkhorn Chamber Golf Outing & Annual Dinner May 6, 2026 Evergreen Golf Club Let's gather on the greens! Networking, raffle prizes, lunch & dinner will all be highlights of the Elkhorn Chamber Annual Golf Outing...and don't forget the golf! Prizes awarded for 1st, 4th & 8th place make for an exciting day of putting, chipping and yelling FORE!
Sign up before March 1st and get EARLY BIRD SPECIAL pricing! Save 10% on all packages and single golfer pricing.
Play a round of 18 to start your day and stick around for the Annual Awards & Dinner starting at 5pm! Including a cocktail hour, steak dinner & amazing raffle prizes! [More info]
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| Geneva Lake West Annual Dinner
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 5-8 p.m. Pier290
You're invited to Geneva Lake West's Spring Soirée by the Lake! Enjoy tasty cocktails, delicious fare from Pier 290, and live jazz while taking in beautiful lake views. Celebrate this year’s award recipients and reconnect with friends, colleagues, and community leaders. It’s the perfect way to welcome the season and kick off an exciting year for the Geneva Lake West Chamber of Commerce. Don’t miss this special night—reserve your tickets today and join the celebration! [More info]
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| Governor Evers approves WIS 67 resurfacing project in Waukesha and Walworth Counties |
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| Governor Evers has approved a $2.67 million resurfacing and improvement project along WIS 67, between US 12 and WIS 59, in Waukesha and Walworth Counties. Payne & Dolan is the prime contractor for the project. Construction is scheduled to begin April 1.
Improvements include: - Resurface WIS 67 within project limits
- Replace beam guard
- Concrete curb and gutter
- Replace curb ramps in the village of Eagle to meet ADA standards
- New pavement marking and signing
Traffic Impacts and Detour: - WIS 67 will be closed to through traffic between WIS 59 and US 12. The posted detour will utilize US 12 and WIS 59.
- Access to local businesses and residences will be maintained.
Work is scheduled for completion in summer 2026. All work is weather dependent and subject to change. For details of the project read more [Here]. |
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Mixed-Use Redevelopment Opportunity, City of Whitewater
Whitewater's Community Development Authority has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking proposals for a mixed-use redevelopment opportunity on 1.4 acres of land located on the edge of the city’s downtown. This is a site that they believe could serve as a focal point of the downtown area with an appropriate catalytic redevelopment project. The subject site is within walking distance of downtown restaurants, taverns, retail shopping, a microbrewery, and multiple parks, as well as a short distance from the UW-Whitewater campus. This is an opportunity for the right developer to be part of the continued revitalization and growth of the City of Whitewater.
The RFP also includes a Site Analysis that was recently conducted by Redevelopment Resources, which includes additional information and supporting background info. Please feel free to share with any developers who you feel may be interested in reviewing this opportunity, and please contact Mason Becker directly if you have any questions. The submittal deadline for this RFP is April 30 at 4:00 PM. |
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NEWS ALERT! Email Scams
We continue to receive reports of fraudulent emails and invoices that appear to be official correspondence from our members, other regional partners, and even from WCEDA. These fraudulent solicitations are extremely sophisticated, appear professional, use official logos on what appears to be official letterhead, and may even use the names of employees and contact information that to appear legitimate.
Red flags that indicate the email is fraudulent include: - Suspicious contact information including emails, phone numbers, etc.
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Little to no email content. Emails sent with only an attachment or link that urges you to click on it are suspicious. Do not open open links until confirmed by sender it is legitimate.
- Links or attachments that require a password to access.
- Pressure to pay promptly.
If you receive a questionable email, please call the sender directly. Do not reply to the email or forward the email. If in doubt, delete and report. |
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Broadband Assessment
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is running a regional broadband assessment in an effort to bring broadband to more Wisconsinites. The first step in the process is to conduct speed testing across the region. To take the test, residents and businesses simply need to visit, from their home or work location. It will only take a few moments and personal information is always protected and never shared.
[Take the Test] |
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AI Job Crossover Impact
Microsoft has released its list of 40 jobs that have high crossover with AI—and professionals warned it highlights the careers “most at risk,” with historians, translators, and sales reps high on the list.
While Microsoft said high applicability doesn’t automatically mean those roles will be killed by AI, employers have been putting a pause on hiring and cutting roles to make way for enhanced productivity. [Read on]
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To read more about each indicator, visit the newsletter section of our website here. |
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10-2 Year Treasury Yield Spread is at 0.52%, compared to 0.50% the previous market day and 0.42% last year. This is lower than the long term average of 0.85%. The 10-2 Treasury Yield Spread is the... [More] |
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New orders for US-manufactured durable goods fell by 1.4% from the previous month to $315.5 billion in February of 2026, extending the revised 0.5% drop in the previous month. It was the third straight decline...[More] |
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Average Crude Oil Spot Price is at a current level of 95.58, up from 68.01 last month and up from 70.70 one year ago. This is a change of 40.52% from last month and 35.18% from one year ago. The Average... [More] |
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| Wisconsin may be falling behind
In advance of Governor Tony Evers’ State of the State address, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), warned that Wisconsin is falling behind on key competitiveness metrics, citing WMC Foundation’s new Wisconsin Competitiveness Report. WMC President/CEO Kurt R. Bauer urged the Governor to address the state’s workforce shortage, high tax burden, regulatory barriers, failing educational outcomes, and soaring health care costs. [Read on]
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BizTimes 2026 Economic Trends
WCEDA Executive Director, Derek D'Auria, attended Biz Times 2026 Economic Trends Event in Milwaukee in January. The summit provided critical data regarding economic outlook and market conditions, labor market and workforce trends, transportation and logistics pressures, manufacturing, trade and innovation and much more. For more information, click [Here]. An event summary can also be accessed [Here].
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| Scholarship Opportunity
WCHRA is awarding two scholarships to support students pursuing careers in Human Resources or Supervisory Management. - $1000 Scholarship - awarded to a student attending or enrolling in a 4-year university or college in a human resource related program.
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$5000 Scholarship - awarded to a student attending or enrolling in a 2-year associate degree program in Human Resources or Supervisory Management.
Applicants must be pursuing a degree in human resources, supervisory management or related field AND be a graduate of a Walworth County High School.
For full details and to apply click [Here] |
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CSB Offering Loan Relief to Government Employees
Due to ongoing government shutdown, Community State Bank is offering a CSB Relief Loan to government employees facing financial hardship. The loan is for government employees impacted by current shutdown and works like a paycheck, offering access to up to 90% of gross monthly pay to cover essentials. There is a maximum loan amount of $35,000. To learn more, click [Here].
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| International Market Access Grant
Companies that want to grow know they need to export—but navigating the global marketplace requires specialized knowledge and a sound strategy based upon proven best practices. WEDC stands ready to help you gain the insights you need to tap new international markets.
Wisconsin companies can be reimbursed for specific expenses associated with a short-term export development project that will help to grow their presence in an international market. The application window is open now!
To learn more, click [Here]. |
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| CDFA Food Finance Portal
Whether you are a food entrepreneur trying to expand your operations, a farmer needing to purchase new equipment, a community trying to attract developers to address a food desert, or a community organization supporting the food system, the CDFA Food Finance Portal is a great resource for connecting you with potential capital providers and options. The CDFA Food Finance Portal is made possible by the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. For more details, click [Here].
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| SBA Resources
Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary
financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. For more information about SBA disaster relief, please visit their [website].
SBA Lender Match - Get $500 to $5.5 million to help you grow your business! SBA-backed loans range from small to large and can be used for most business purposes, including long-term fixed assets and operating capital. Connect with an SBA-approved lender: https://www.sba.gov/lendermatch
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| DNR Launches The Environmental Responsibility Navigator
New Tool Helps Small Businesses With Environmental Compliance
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in honor of National Small Business Week, launched the new Environmental Responsibility Navigator (Enviro-Nav) to help small businesses with environmental compliance.
This tool, which was funded through the 2023-2025 state budget, provides a one-stop shop for businesses to easily understand the environmental requirements that apply to them, including those related to air pollution, water use/discharge and waste generation.
All types of businesses can benefit from the information offered in Enviro-Nav, and... [Learn More] |
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| WWBIC New Resources & Partners
WWBIC is offering more diverse trainings and events now than ever before! Fill out their updated Client/Business Information form by clicking the link below to make sure that you will be notified once any grants, networking events and more are available! [Form]
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| Property Values and Taxes DataTool
This DataTool explores key trends in statewide property values and tax levies, which are important indicators of the state's economic health, the cost borne by taxpayers, and the finances of its local governments. In this streamlined interactive format, users can view separate analyses of southeast Wisconsin and Dane County data, or explore the statewide data themselves, filtering by municipality or county to easily create custom reports.
Check out the tool |
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Small Business Development Grant (SBDG) The Small Business Development Grant (SBDG) Program will offer financial incentives for communities and organizations to develop innovative programs that directly support small businesses and small business creation. [Learn More] |
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Wisconsin Green Innovation Fund
When more Wisconsinites can participate in our state’s clean energy transition, we’ll reach our environmental and energy independence goals faster. That’s where the Green Innovation Fund comes in. The Green Innovation Fund leverages public and private funds to invest in strategic energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that benefit traditionally underserved businesses, residents, and communities across Wisconsin. By facilitating the widespread adoption of clean energy technologies, the Fund will ultimately improve overall quality of life in our state. [Learn More]
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| RelyLocal
The national economy depends heavily on the health of local economies, and the local economy depends on the health of the local businesses. Local businesses not only contribute to the local economy, but are the foundation of a healthy community overall. Our goal? To develop strategies to support local businesses (across the country) by Developing new solutions to support local businesses, creating local campaigns to revitalize local communities, and putting America back to work. [Learn More]
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| Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE)
C-PACE is a property tax-assessment financing mechanism for energy & water
efficiency and renewable energy improvements to commercial properties. Benefits include: finance up to 100% of hard + soft costs, fixed rate, long-term: 20 – 30 years, tenants share cost & savings, transfers to new owner upon sale, potential off-balance sheet treatment, reduce waste & improve experience. [Learn More - PDF, Webpage]
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| WCEDA Loan Program
Are you having trouble getting a loan? Are your revenues under $1 million? WCEDA may be able to HELP. We have a loan program through the USDA for small businesses called the Hometown Entrepreneur Loan Program (HELP) that aims to help small business access capital. Many times we can work with banks or other programs like SBA or WHEDA to make a loan work for companies.
[APPLICATION]
[ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES] [CONTACT WCEDA]
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Workplace Financial Solutions
Associated Bank offers a FREE program for employers and employees: Workplace Financial Solutions. The WFS program is dedicated to providing individuals with the education and resources needed to build long-term financial stability. Providing comprehensive financial literacy services designed to equip clients with the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed financial decisions and achieve peace of mind. [Learn More]
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| Lake Geneva Restaurant Week
April 18 - 26, 2026
Mark your calendar and gather your favorite foodies to share a culinary adventure around the Lake Geneva region! Dozens of the area’s finest restaurants will feature exclusive breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus created just for Restaurant Week. Explore new restaurants or revisit old favorites, dine in or take out… the choices are endless as we celebrate Lake Geneva’s delicious dining scene! Don't forget to follow and check in on our socials - Facebook, Instagram and TikTok - for highlights, contests, and all the foodie fun during LGRW26! [More info]
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| Putt-Out Hunger
Saturday, April 11
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
A night of fun and mini golf, driving out hunger in Walworth County one swing at a time. Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at The Bridge Food & Diaper Bank's fundraising event, Putt Out Hunger in The Forum at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa on April 11, 2026 at 5:30 PM.
[More info] |
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