WEDC partner grants announced
Fourteen organizations supporting Wisconsin entrepreneurs with technical and financial assistance have received more than $1.6 million in the latest round of Entrepreneurship Partner Grants (EPG) from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
“Entrepreneurs play a vital role in driving Wisconsin’s economy forward,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development agency. “With the help of our partners, entrepreneurs will be able to bring new ideas and businesses to life.”
The Entrepreneurship Partner Grants were created in 2021 to assist organizations that provide training, financing, mentorship, and technical support to startups across the state.
The current round of grants will assist an estimated 600 individuals and/or businesses representing Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Chippewa, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Pierce, Polk, Price, Sawyer, Sheboygan, St. Croix, and Walworth counties.
Two of the recipients with local connections are:
First Nations Community Financial (aka Cedar Growth), Black River Falls — $200,000
Cedar Growth seeks to support Native, women-owned, and small businesses in rural communities by expanding entrepreneurial resources through combined services with expert partners and internal capacity. A key initiative, “on the road” services, will bring in-person business training to Native entrepreneurs, leveraging partnerships with the Wisconsin Indigenous Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC) and tribal business hubs. With 11 federally recognized tribes and numerous Native enterprises, there is immense potential to create business opportunities through policy and infrastructure development.
Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) Eau Claire – $50,000
Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) is bridging gaps in Wisconsin’s rural entrepreneurial ecosystem through the Rural Business Innovation Lab (RBIL), which will provide six rural entrepreneurs with an immersive, eight-month program featuring one-on-one coaching, workshops, networking, and access to specialized consultants. The curriculum addresses key challenges like business planning, financial management, marketing, and scaling while leveraging partnerships with the Food Finance Institute, Small Business Development Centers, WEDC’s Office of Rural Prosperity, LegalCorps, and regional capital networks.
Allamakee County offers revolving loan fund
Allamakee County offers a Revolving Loan Fund for start-up and existing business.
This includes a low-interest loan up to 30% of the total project for a maximum loan of $40,000.00.
Funds to be utilized for the pu
rchase of real estate, construction, machinery, building rehabilitation and working capital. For more information, please click below to view the application. The fund balance available is currently $160,000.
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Allamakee County Economic Development
Revolving Loan Fund (Gap Financing)
Val Reinke, allamakeecountyedt@gmail.com, 563-568-2624
Juneau County offering business grants
Businesses are encouraged to participate in the Juneau County Small Business Development Grant Program.
The first round of grants for solar investments is complete. Round 2 is for Patents and Registrations Support with applications through Sept. 30. Microgrants of up to $5,000 are offered.
Round 3 – with a signup period of Nov. 1 through Dec. 30 – is for New Business Start-up/Acquisition Support, with up to $5,000 in microgrants.
Round 4 is for Business Profitability Investment – Other. Application window for the $5,000 microgrants will be Feb. 1, 2026 through March 30. Grant information is available at wwww.JuneauCounty.com. Email submission@juneaucounty.com.
Southeastern Minnesota grants announced
The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) Board of Directors announced the awarding of $345,985 in arts programming grants to nonprofit organizations and schools throughout Southeastern Minnesota. These grants will support diverse arts and cultural programming and strengthen creative communities across the region.
Local recipients are:
Fillmore County
Chatfield Center for the Arts, $4,950 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Technology Upgrades for Arts Access.
Dreamery Rural Arts Initiative, $10,000 Legacy Grant for Season Programming Support.
Lanesboro Arts, $10,000 Legacy Grant for Rural Arts Production Training Program.
Lanesboro Community Theater, $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Production of “The 39 Steps” stage play.
Peterson Committee for the Arts, $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Arts Blossom in Peterson – Summer Music.
Rushford Area Society of the Arts, $4,335 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Storybook Theatre – “Three Little Pigs”.
Houston County
Mainspring, $10,000 Legacy Grant for Houston County Artist Mentorship Program.
Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association, $10,000 Legacy Grant for August 2025 Bluegrass Music Festival.
Winona County
Art of the Rural, $10,000 Legacy Grant for Spillway Gathering.
Frozen River Film Festival, $10,000 Legacy Grant for The 21st Frozen River Film Festival.
Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center, $5,000 Legacy Grant for Through reflections, we see ourselves.
Minnesota Marine Art Museum, $10,000 Legacy Grant for Seasonal Saturdays: Art & Connection.
Project FINE, $5,000 Legacy Grant for Cultural Arts & Ancestry.
Quince Ensemble, $10,000 Legacy Grant for McKinley Medieval Songs with Quince.
Saint Charles Public Schools, $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for 2025 St. Charles Fall Musical.
Theatre du Mississippi, $10,000 Legacy Grant for Write On: A Year of Original One Acts.
Winona Arts Center, $3,500 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for International Film Series 2025-2026.
Winona Community Chorale, $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Winona Community Chorale Fall Concert.
Winona Dakota Unity Alliance, $5,000 Legacy Grant for 2025 Winona-Dakota Gathering.
Winona Parks & Recreation, $5,000 Legacy Grant for Campfire Concert Series 2025 – Part 2.
The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) is one of 11 Regional Arts Councils serving Minnesota, each functioning as an autonomous grassroots organization designated to assess needs, develop programs and services, and distribute grants to fund arts and cultural programs in their region. Established in September 1977, SEMAC serves Region 10, which includes Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona Counties, including the Prairie Island Indian Community.