western dairyland business centers business incubation in rural communities incubators wthout walls...
TRANSCRIPT
Western Dairyland Business Centers
BUSINESS INCUBATION IN RURAL
COMMUNITIES
INCUBATORS WTHOUT WALLS
Renee’ Walz, Business Development Director
Western Dairyland Business Centers
SOME GENERAL INFO….
Our Business Center started with a ½ time staff person in 1990
We now have 6 full-time staff providing technical assistance in a 3500 square mile service area
Western Dairyland Business Centers
SOME GENERAL INFO….
We have 1 “metro” community
Since 1993, we have been involved in the start-up of over 325 businesses that have created over 550 jobs in our rural communities
Western Dairyland Business Centers
DETERMINING THE NEED
We started by asking our area lenders….What kind of help do start-up and
expanding businesses need?Where are they getting help
now?Are you interested in helping us
grow?
Western Dairyland Business Centers
THE ANSWERS…..
They need help determining if an idea is feasible
They need help putting together a business plan
They need management assistance that doesn’t stop after the business has started.
Western Dairyland Business Centers
WE GREW A STEP AT A TIME….
We started by providing one-on-one technical assistance in: Determining feasibility and
business planningThe actual writing of the plan
and financial projections
Western Dairyland Business Centers
ALWAYS BASED ON A DEMONSTRATED NEED….
They wanted marketing assistance Assisted with the development of
brochures, business cards Copies made at the office
They needed help with collateral Lead to the development of a network of
14 lenders and a loan guarantee fund
Western Dairyland Business Centers
ALWAYS BASED ON A DEMONSTRATED NEED….
They needed access to computers and technology Lead to the development of a
computer lending library.
They needed access to new markets Lead to the development of
www.wisconsincommonmarket.com
Western Dairyland Business Centers
OTHER EXAMPLES…
SHAWNO “BEST U” A great example … a collaboration between
the Chamber, the Technical College and others….
CHAMBERS – STARTING COMMUNITY TEAMS FOR TRAINING AND TA Some issues with confidentiality
Western Dairyland Business Centers
FUNDING POSSIBILITIES….
USDA Rural DevelopmentWI Department of CommerceLocal / Regional FoundationsCorporations that may benefit
from new businesses created ( Xcel Energy, Electric Coop’s )
Western Dairyland Business Centers
QUESTIONS…
THANKS FOR
COMING!!!