The City of Oshkosh Micro Enterprise Program (Forgivable Loan)

The City of Oshkosh Micro Enterprise Program (Forgivable Loan)

by | Sep 7, 2021 | Events, News, Uncategorized

The City of Oshkosh Micro Enterprise Program (Forgivable Loan)

The Oshkosh Micro Enterprise Program is focused on existing micro enterprises located in the corporate limits of the City of Oshkosh that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is a forgivable loan program and qualified micro enterprises are eligible for a forgivable loan of up to $7,500. Funding can be used for assistance with, basic working capital for leasing space, insurance and/or utilities, and staff salaries.

Please download the appropriate fact sheet for your location to view income requirements for this opportunity. To view a detailed map of eligible locations, please click here.

How will this program work and who is eligible?

WWBIC will be handling the application and distribution of the loans, as well as follow up business coaching and mentorship opportunities. Funds will be targeted to for-profit, existing micro-enterprises located in the City of Oshkosh, where the business has five or fewer full-time equivalent employees, including the owner.

Eligibility:

  • Businesses must be in the City of Oshkosh.
  • Businesses must be a Micro Enterprise. (5 or fewer employees including the owner(s))
  • Business needs to be in good standing with State of WI and City of Oshkosh.
  • Business must have a DUNS Number
  • Business owner’s household income is under 80% of the County of Winnebago Median
  • EXCLUDES new businesses started after February 1st, 2020

 

What type of documentation is required?

Businesses must provide all documents to be considered for the forgivable loan below:

  • Executive Summary for the forgivable loan and detailed use of funds for your business
  • Client Information Form
  • Business Information Form
  • Duplication of Benefits Form
  • EIN
  • Business Debt Schedule
  • Interim Income Statement (2022)
  • Business Tax Returns for 2020 and 2021 – two separate PDFs
  • SBA Form 413 – Personal Financial Statement for all owners of the business, including spouses and guarantors
  • Personal Tax Forms for 2020 and 2021
  • W-2 or 1099 for 2021
  • A copy of your driver’s license/photo id

Ineligible Use of Funds

You may not use your loan for the following below items below:

  • Reimburse expenses incurred prior to Feb 1, 2021
  • Pay off non-business debt
  • Purchase personal expenses
  • Direct financing to political activities or paying off taxes and fines
  • Purchase personal items, or support other businesses in which the borrower may have an interest
  • No new business start up costs

When will the application be available?  

The application will remain open until all Forgivable Loan funds have been exhausted. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received (time stamped) and will be equitably considered.

For additional information or questions about applying for The Oshkosh Micro Enterprise Program, please contact Colleen Bies, at cbies@wwbic.com.

APPLY HERE

The application will remain open until all Forgivable Loan funds have been exhausted. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received (time stamped) and will be equitably considered.

DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET FOR CITY OF OSHKOSH

WWBIC 2021 Annual Celebration

WWBIC 2021 Annual Celebration

by | Aug 31, 2021 | Events, WWBIC

WWBIC 2021 Annual Celebration

The Next Vintage | Cultivating a Legacy

WWBIC is very pleased to invite you to join us this year for WWBIC’s annual showcase. This year we are modifying the format from a luncheon to an afternoon happy hour.

We are proceeding optimistically as we plan to host our event in person with an option to join us virtually. WWBIC’s commitment to small business remains steadfast. We invite you to join us as we look to the future and continue to create new ways of garnering support and matching resources with the needs of Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial community.

This year our celebration embraces the theme: The Next Vintage | Cultivating a Legacy. Our program will honor the roots of our past work, but also look toward the future with intention – cultivating our work, spaces, and places into our shared legacy full of hope. To embrace our nod to the future, we welcome Cristina Torres, Marimar Estates Director of Sales and Marketing, as our keynote speaker.

Thursday, November 4, 2021

2:30 PM to 5:30 PM CDT

Miller High Life Theatre
500 West Kilbourn Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203

Click here to register
Sponsor Opportunities

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER 

Cristina Torres is a member of Familia Torres, a fifth generation family business with roots that trace back to the 17th century in Barcelona, Spain. Cristina inherited the love of the vineyard from her family and grew up working alongside her mother and their business namesake, Marimar.

The Torres family business has been handed down from father to son for five generations, but this is the first time that the baton will be passed from mother to daughter.

Cristina graduated from Princeton University in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. Cristina achieved the WSET Level 3 certification from the renowned Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is in the process of obtaining the WSET Level 4 diploma. She is fluent in Catalan, Spanish, English and French.

Club ORO — Stories of Impact Sponsors

Club Plata — Small Biz Market Sponsors

Club Cobre — Wisconsin Makers Sponsors

Anonymous

Club Verde – Client Scholarship Sponsors

Andrea & Orendorff, LLP

Baird

Badger Liquor

CIBM Bank

CLA

DirectSupply

Entrepreneurs Coalition

ERC Midwest

Foley & Lardner

Godfrey & Kahn

Housing Authority for the City of Milwaukee (HACM)

Hurtado Zimmerman

Ixonia Bank

Marquette University Institute for Women’s Leadership

Landmark Credit Union

Lincoln Property Company

Machare & Associates

Michael Best & Friedrich

Milwaukee Bucks

North Shore Bank

Palermo Villa

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren sc

RitzHolman CPAs

TEMPO Milwaukee

Town Bank

UMOS

WaterStone Bank

WBD

Zizzl, LLC

CLUB AZUL – Corporate  Sponsors

BioForward ~ City of Middleton/Mike Davis ~ City of West Allis ~ Clark Gridley/Carl Trimble ~ Diamond Discs International ~ Grandville BID/EDC ~ Greater Milwaukee Committee ~ Heartland Information Research ~ Hmong Chamber of Commerce ~ Irene Strohbeen & Associates ~ Marcus Hotels ~ Milwaukee Business Journal ~ Milwaukee Development Corporation ~ Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 ~ Milwaukee Northshore Rotary ~ Mueller Communications ~ New Covenant Housing Corporation ~ One Community Bank ~ Realty4Good ~ Self-Help Federal Credit Union ~ SCORE ~ Tri-City National Bank ~ U.S. Small Business Administration ~ Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions ~ Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corporation ~ Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Media Club Sponsors

88 Nine Radio Milwaukee

BizTimes Media (Milwaukee Business News)

El Conquistador Latino Newspaper

Milwaukee Business Journal

Shepherd Express

 

WWBIC ANNUAL CELEBRATION COVID PRECAUTIONS 

The city of Milwaukee remains in the “excessive transmission” category for COVID-19. There is no required mask mandate in the city of Milwaukee, and as such, we have the following precautions in place for our event.

  • All in-person event attendees are encouraged to wear a mask except when they are eating or drinking, regardless of their vaccination status
  • All in-person food and beverages will be single serve and will include a happy hour beverage and Spanish Tapas
  • In the Theatre, the Orchestra Section is reserved for Premiere Sponsors and the Mezzanine Section is reserved for General Admission
    (To allow for social distancing, we will have open seating in these areas so attendees can choose a location that works best for them)
  • Virtual Attendees will get an event box mailed to their company event liaison

We will continue to monitor both national and local guidelines, keeping our attendees updated on any changes to our policy or event agenda.

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

Apply now for the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program

Apply now for the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program

by | Aug 4, 2021 | Events, News, Uncategorized

Apply now for the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program

Apply now for the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program.

Take advantage of this opportunity! Apply for BMO’s Celebrating Women Grant Program. Eight women-owned businesses will each receive a $10,000 grant to help grow their businesses while focusing on sustainability. BMO is committed to investing in sustainable programs and practices within communities. The BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program will assess applicants based on their contributions to social, environmental, or economic sustainability. Application close Friday, August 13th, 2021 at 10:59 PM CT.

You’ll also need to meet specific eligibility criteria as an applicant and as a business.
Criteria for applicants:
• You have authority to participate in the Grant Program on behalf of the business
• You’re a resident of the U.S.
• You’ve reached the legal age in the state where your business resides

Criteria for businesses:
• Must be at least 51% owned or controlled by women or by individuals who self-identify as women
• Currently active and operating in the U.S.
• Has a physical location (or a mailing address for their headquarters) in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri or Wisconsin
• Must be a for-profit business with annual revenues of $5 million USD or less
• In good standing with the Secretary of State in which the business is registered
• Has been in operation selling a product or service for at least 2 years as of January 1, 2021

For full eligibility details for the 2021 Grant Program, see the Official Terms and Conditions.

APPLY HERE

Milwaukee County Restart Grants Program

Milwaukee County Restart Grants Program

by | Jul 30, 2021 | Events, News, Partners, Uncategorized

Milwaukee County Restart Grants Program

Located in Milwaukee County? WWBIC is here for you! The Milwaukee County Restart Grants Program is focused on existing businesses located in Milwaukee County looking for business financing during COVID-19.

Additional Details:
• Maximum of $10,000
• Grants can be used for assistance with but not limited to; payroll; rent; utilities; inventory for reopen-ing; PPE for employees, clients or customers to safely reopen; or physical modifications of the space to align with COVID Guidance
• Business must be located in Milwaukee County. Businesses located in the City of Milwaukee, River Hills, West Allis or Wauwatosa are NOT ELIGIBLE

Eligibility: 
• Businesses cannot be a START-UP (less than 12 months) – must have been operating in 2020
• Businesses cannot be a non-profit business structure
• Business needs to be in good standing with State of WI
• Current on all local, state and federal taxes
• Business has not applied or received assistance through the Small Business Administration, Federal Emergency Management Program, or other federal government program.
• The business owner must meet the following criteria:
1. The business is a small business, with 20 full time equivalent or fewer jobs
2. The business owner’s or employees single household income is under 80% of the Milwaukee County Area Median; less than $47,250

Required Documents: 
• Tax returns no older than 2019
• DUNS Number
• Payroll expenses
• Application of benefits (listing all federal funds received)
• WWBIC Client Information Form and Employee Form

Please apply at bit.ly/mkecountyrestart. The application will be available on Friday, July 30th at noon. All applications will be reviewed in the order they are received (time stamped) and will be equitably considered. The application will remain open until 11:59 PM on Friday, August 6th.

APPLY HERE

Making a Splash: WWBIC Southwest La Crosse Grand Opening

Making a Splash: WWBIC Southwest La Crosse Grand Opening

by | Jun 23, 2021 | Events, Partners, Press Releases, Uncategorized

Making a Splash: WWBIC Southwest La Crosse Grand Opening

Join WWBIC as we officially celebrate the opening of WWBIC’s 6th Wisconsin office serving our Southwest Region, specifically Crawford, Grant, Juneau, Iowa, La Crosse, Lafayette, Monroe, Richland, and Vernon counties. As an official Women’s Business Center (WBC) powered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) this office will support entrepreneurs with entrepreneurship education, training programs, lending, coaching, and financial wellness.

WWBIC was awarded funding for its new WBC in October 2020 and hit the ground running in the search for a location that would be centrally located ensuring ease of accessibility for our clients. The office is situated in an unused BMO Harris Bank building in La Crosse, and is equipped with ample space for in-person classes and events.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the location and are grateful for our solid partnership with BMO, who is always working alongside us to serve the needs of the community,” said Wendy K. Baumann, President and Chief Visionary Officer.

Members of the community are invited to WWBIC’s Southwest Office Community Grand Opening Open House on Monday, June 28th. The event will run from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm with a short program beginning at noon.

Stop in to meet WWBIC’s leadership team and find out about the many services WWBIC provides to help entrepreneurs start, strengthen or grow their small businesses.

WWBIC
3500 State Road 16
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-668-4400

Light refreshments available.  Please RSVP at bit.ly/WWBICSW

“The pandemic, social, and economic challenges that we faced as a community, state, and nation has been exhausting and the grand opening of this office showcases that we are resilient and that our collective efforts do remain strong in times of plenty, but even more so during scarcity. WWBIC has been here and will be here for generations to come to continue the impactful work to serve women, people of color, low-income individuals, and veterans. None of this would be possible without our solid and impactful partnership with the La Crosse community. We look forward to amplifying our impact in the region to help support small business sustainability and growth,” said Wendy K. Baumann, President and Chief Visionary Officer.

Businesses in Bloom

Businesses in Bloom

by | May 12, 2021 | Events, News, Partners, Uncategorized

Businesses in Bloom

Yelp Milwaukee and Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) are teaming up this spring to celebrate 2021 Small Business Month, May 1 – 31. Throughout the month, we will be highlighting some of the amazing local businesses around the Greater Milwaukee area.

Make sure to follow Yelp Wisconsin and WWBIC on social media to learn more about featured businesses and information about supporting small businesses in your area.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

SERVICES:

RETAIL & BOUTIQUE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS & RECREATION

_______________________________________

YELP CHECK-IN OFFERS:

______________________________________

Follow along each day on @YelpWisconsin to learn more about each featured businesses and how you can support small.