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Starting a Business

The Wausau region offers a variety of community organizations to help businesses thrive, adapt, expand and relocate.

Business Incubator Space

Wausau Business Incubator: The Wausau Business Incubator empowers entrepreneurs with affordable rental spaces, expert mentorship and essential business resources. The Incubator allows you to focus less on distractions and more on growing your business.

At the Wausau Business Incubator, you will:

  • Get the Right Space for Your Needs: Flexible options tailored to your business.
  • Collaborate and Innovate: Work in a dynamic environment with easy access to mentors.
  • Enjoy Comprehensive Services: Including paid utilities, property management, snow removal, lawn care, cleaning services, free parking, mail sorting services and secure mail room access.
  • Focus on Growth: Let us handle the day-to-day details while you concentrate on growing your business.
Entrepreneurial Mentoring and Guidance

UWSP Continuing Education Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Offers no cost business counseling to both start-up and existing businesses. The SBDC also coordinates conferences, workshops and certificate programs on topics ranging from business planning and marketing to financial management and sources of capital.  Call 715-346-3838 for more information about SBDC programs and services.

MCDEVCO: Mentoring and entrepreneurial development and education is one of the organization's pillars. This includes one-on-one mentoring; classes, programs and workshops; an annual women's conference and more.

Municipality Business Development Resources

The City of Wausau Community and Economic Development: provides a variety of resources, including available business sites, Wausau-area demographics, business mentoring and guidance, profiles of local businesses and financing resources.

Financing

MCDEVCO: Revolving Loan Fund. Provides financial assistance for new and established Marathon County businesses. Contact MCDEVCO at 715-298-0084.

WHEDA Small Business Guarantees: WHEDA helps in the expansion or acquisition of an existing business or for limited startup business opportunities.  Eligible startup businesses include adult and child daycare centers, as well as startup businesses located in vacant storefronts in the downtown area of a rural community.
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WBD Inc: WBD helps fund small businesses looking to purchase or expand commercial real estate or acquire equipment while preserving working capital, through the SBA 504 loan program. A SBA 504 loan requires lower down payments than conventional financing and provides long-term, fixed-rate interest rates.  It also reduces the risk to lenders through its structure as second mortgage financing.

Wausau Community Development Authority (WCDA): In partnership with local agencies and nonprofit organizations, WCDA administers a variety of grant and loan programs that strengthen local housing, promote downtown revitalization and provide economic development assistance.

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