Other Assistance

Environmental Grants and Loans

Brownfield Site Assessment Matching Grant
MEDC works closely with the city redevelopment authority, RACM, to assist with environmental remediation projects. MEDC manages RACM's remediation loan fund and funds its site assessment grant program.

The Brownfield Site Assessment Matching Grant Program is designed to encourage the investigation and redevelopment of industrial and commercial properties in the City of Milwaukee that may be affected by environmental concerns. A Phase I Site Assessment is required to document potential environmental concerns and to focus further investigation. Grants of up to $25,000 (or one-half of the cost, whichever is less) are available to assist with Phase II Site Assessments and related work.

This is a reimbursement grant and payment will be made upon completion of work. No repayment is expected. Fee: $50.00.

Eligibility:

Property must be located in the City of Milwaukee

Applicant either owns or intends to buy the property

Applicant has completed an ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

The site is to be redeveloped

Applicant agrees to report on results of testing and redevelopment plan

Competitive bids for covered services must be obtained from at least two qualified providers

Applicant must be current on all property taxes and free from code violations

Eligible Activities: Phase II Site Assessments, remedial action plans, confirmatory sampling, DNR fees (Not to be used in place of PECFA).

Timing: Applications are reviewed/approved on a continuous basis (click here for application).

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Industrial Revenue Bonds

The City of Milwaukee and its Redevelopment Authority issue tax-exempt industrial development revenue bonds to finance projects for manufacturers, building construction, renovation, machinery and equipment of manufacturing facilities are eligible projects for industrial revenue bonds. Bonds are issued by a municipality in the name of the company. The costs of land, facility construction or renovation, new equipment, architectural and engineering studies, site improvements and interest during construction are all eligible for financing. The applicant is responsible for all debt service. Bonds are exempt from federal income tax and, in some cases, state income taxes.

This program has provided nearly $685 million in financing to more than 200 Milwaukee firms.

Uses

Long-term financing depending upon life of assets.
Advantages: Fixed or variable rates.
Fees: $1,000 to Authority with initial application and .75% of the bond amount upon issuance.
Participating underwriters will charge from 1 to 1.5% plus out-of-pocket costs.
Bonds are typically secured by a bank letter-of-credit.
Certain banks purchase these instruments for their own accounts, thus eliminating the underwriter and related costs.

Timing

Generally, a company should not incur project costs (except site purchase) prior to City or Authority's adoption of an Initial Resolution. Under IRS code, only costs incurred no more than 60 days prior to the adoption of the initial resolution can be rolled into subsequent bond issue. Final bond issuance generally takes place 60 to 90 days later, depending on negotiations between underwriters, borrower and letter-of-credit bank.

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Business Planning and Growth

BizStarts Milwaukee, Inc.
P.O. Box 242344
Milwaukee, WI 53224
www.bizstartsmilwaukee.com
Offering: Multiple resources for starting a business on one website. Resources include: a comprehensive library; getting started guidance; classes throughout the seven county region; assistance for fast growing innovative companies; and public and private service technical assistance providers.

City of Milwaukee-Emerging Business Certification
200 East Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 286-5553
http://city.milwaukee.gov/ebe
Offering: Assistance to women/minority owned small business to receive or enhance opportunities on government contracts. Eligible businesses must complete a certification process. State and County governments have similar programs.

Inventors and Entrepreneur Forums
Meetings held monthly in each county: Milwaukee, Washington, Ozaukee and Waukesha (Brookfield).
Offering: Networking and resources for inventors. www.bizstartsmilwaukee.com for schedules.

SCORE
310 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 425
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 297-3942
www.scoresewisconsin.org
Offering: Classes and coaching.

Milwaukee Public Library-Business Resources
814 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 286-3000
www.mpl.org/file/business_index.htm
Offering: Online resources and search assistance.

Small Business Development Center, UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education
161 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 6000
Milwaukee, WI 53203-2602
(414) 227-3200
www.sce-sbdc.uwm.edu
Offering: Classes and coaching.

Wisconsin Entrepreneur Network
423 Extension Building
432 Lake Street
Madison, WI 53706-1496
(608) 263-0398
www.wenportal.org
Offering: Offering Statewide network of entrepreneurial resources.

Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership
2601 Crossroads Drive, Suite 145
Madison, WI 53718
(877) 856-8588
www.wmep.org
Offering: Assistance to small and medium sized manufacturing firms in areas of continuous improvement, supply chain, exporting, growth and innovation.

Wisconsin Procurement Institute
10437 Innovation Dr., Suite 228
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 270-3600
www.wispro.org
Offering: Assistance in obtaining federal government contracts.

Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
2745 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414) 263-5450
www.wwbic.com
Offering: Classes, microloans and technical assistance.

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Business Financing Resources

BizStarts Milwaukee, Inc.
P.O. Box 242344
Milwaukee, WI 53224
www.bizstartsmilwaukee.com
Offering: BizStarts Venture Track coaches and monitors early stage entrepreneurs to prepare for investment.

City of Milwaukee-Facade and Sign Programs
Department of City Development
809 N. Broadway
Milwaukee, WI 53202
www.mkedcd.org/business/busfac.html
Offering: Grants for sign and facade improvements to commercial buildings.

City of Milwaukee-Tax Increment Financing
Department of City Development
809 N. Broadway
Milwaukee, WI 53202
www.mkedcd.org/business/TIF/index.html

City of Milwaukee-Industrial Revenue Bond
Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee
809 N. Broadway
Milwaukee, WI 53202
http://www.mkedcd.org/RACM/index.html

Small Business Innovation Research Program & Small Business Technology Transfer Program
www.sbir.gov/
Offering: Federal research grants for small businesses.

Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation
W229 N1433 Westwood Drive, Suite 206
Waukesha, WI 53186
(262) 970-8533
http://www.wbd.org
Offering: SBA 504 Debenture is an SBA program designed for businesses seeking 10 or 20 year fixed rates of interest for major building or equipment projects. The SBA 504 will fund the purchase of land, buildings, renovation, equipment and soft costs associated with any construction. Businesses must be for profit and fall within SBA size standards.

Wiscosnin Economic Development Corporation (formerly Wisconsin Department of Commerce)
2645 N. Mayfair Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 302-2826
www.wedc.org
Offering: Resources for starting a business, loans and technology resources.

Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
140 S. 1st St., Suite 200
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 227-4039 or 800-628-4833
www.wheda.com
Offering: Small business loan guarantees and linked deposit loan program.

Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
2745 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414) 263-5450
www.wwbic.com
Offering: Microloans ($500-$100,000)

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Workforce Development Resources

Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB)
2342 North 27th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53210
(414) 270-1700
www.milwaukeewib.org/

Job Service
2701 S. Chase Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 389-6600
www.jobcenterofwisconsin.com

Milwaukee Job Corps
www.milwaukeejobcorps.org

Patina Solutions
Pinnacle 1
13890 Bishops Drive, Suite 320
Brookfield, WI 53005
(262) 797-5700
www.patinasolutions.com

Employer Partnership or the Armed Forces
www.employerpartnership.org

Wisconsin TechConnect
www.wisconsintechconnect.com

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201
(414) 229-1122
www.uwm.edu

Milwaukee School of Engineering - Career Services Office
1025 N. Broadway
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 277-7120
www.msoe.edu/placement

Marquette University - Career Services Center
Holthusen Hall, First Floor
1324 W. Wisconsin Avenue
P.O. Box 1881
Milwaukee, WI 53201
(414) 288-7423
www.marquette.edu/csc

Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership (WRTP)
3841 W. Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53208
(414) 342.9787
www.wrtp.org

Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP)
2601 Crossroads Drive, Suite 145
Madison, WI 53718

(877) 800-2085
www.wmep.org

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