WWBIC North Central Receives National Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award

WASHINGTON, DC – On Sunday, May 3, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) presented Jaci Sulley of Hayward with the 2026 Wisconsin, Regional and National Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award for the North Central office of the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) in Washington, D.C. The award was presented as part of National Small Business Week which has taken place from May 3-9, 2026.

WWBIC is a statewide economic development corporation which provides entrepreneurship and financial wellness training, coaching and access to capital for small businesses across Wisconsin. The North Central office opened in Hayward late in 2024.

“It’s such an honor to have the SBA recognize the strides we’ve made to encourage economic development and promote small businesses here in North Central Wisconsin,” says Sulley. “It can be challenging for entrepreneurs to find resources to assist them in rural areas like ours, so it’s been a real joy to bring the services WWBIC provides to these counties.”

Sulley was joined by WWBIC President and Chief Executive Officer Kathryn Dunn and WWBIC Chief Operating Officer Christina Knudsen for the festivities, which also included a presentation by Kelly Loeffler, SBA Administrator. Other attendees of note included:

• Brandon Beach
  Treasurer of the United States, U.S. Department of Treasury
• Paul Fitzpatrick
  Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development
• Elizabeth Habib
  Assistant Administrator of the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership
• Thomas Kimsey
  Associate Administrator, Office of Capital Access, SBA
• Ken Rusk
  President, Rusk Industries, Inc.
• Everett M. Woodel, Jr.
  Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA

“We’re so proud of the assistance we’ve been able to provide to small businesses throughout Sawyer County and beyond,” says Dunn. “And we can’t wait to celebrate in Hayward with our clients and partner organizations who’ve helped us along the way at the end of the month.”

On Thursday, May 28th at 3:00 pm, SBA Wisconsin officials will join Sulley, Dunn and others to celebrate the award on a local level. The public is welcome to attend this ceremony, followed by a “Business After 5” event presented by the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce at 5 pm, both at the WWBIC North Central office at 10632 Hayward Court.

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About WWBIC

Since 1987, the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) has served as the leading innovative economic development corporation that is “Putting Dreams to Work” by assisting microenterprise and small businesses throughout Wisconsin. WWBIC opens the doors of opportunity by providing any individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening, or expanding businesses with access to resources such as financial products and quality business and personal financial training.

WWBIC has fiercely championed its mission by operating in six Wisconsin regions to offer services statewide, channeling its activities through four pillars: credit/financial wellness; classes/training; capital/lending (ranging from $1,000 to $350,000); and coaching/connections. Since 1987, WWBIC has served 78,743 individuals and loaned $130 million to small business owners. Their technical and capital support has created or retained 16,895 jobs with over 11,336 businesses started, strengthened, or expanded. To learn more about WWBIC visit: www.wwbic.com.

Federal funding disclosure:

In accordance with Section 632 of Public Law 117-328:

WWBIC

Federal Funding – $2,281,870 (29%)

State Funding – $475,000 (6%)

Earned Revenues – $2,940,277 (37%)

Donations/Contributions – $2,289,127 (28%)