Report on the Dunn County Small Business Development Grant

Introduction: A Strategic Investment in Local Economic Resilience

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has awarded a $250,000 grant to Dunn Economic Development to establish the Dunn County Small Business Development Grant. This initiative is designed to deliver direct financial and technical support to small businesses and startups throughout Dunn County. The program’s core objective is to foster sustainable economic growth and resilience, with a pronounced focus on empowering enterprises in rural and underserved areas, directly aligning with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The grant program is structured to make significant contributions toward several SDGs, embedding principles of sustainability and equity into local economic strategy.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The initiative is a direct investment in achieving SDG 8. By providing access to capital and expert guidance, the grant aims to:

• Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
• Support the creation of new startups and the expansion of existing businesses.
• Foster entrepreneurship and the creation of new, decent job opportunities within Dunn County.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

A primary focus of the grant is to address and reduce economic inequalities, in line with SDG 10. This is achieved by:

• Targeting support specifically towards rural and underserved communities.
• Ensuring equitable access to resources for all local entrepreneurs.
• Partnering with organizations such as the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce to reach diverse business owners.

SDG 9 & SDG 11: Industry, Innovation, and Sustainable Communities

The program supports community resilience and innovation, contributing to SDG 9 and SDG 11 through:

• Innovation (SDG 9): Providing technical assistance through partners like the Center for Innovation and Development at UW-Stout to help businesses innovate and adopt new technologies.
• Sustainable Communities (SDG 11): Incentivizing the use of previously vacant commercial spaces through rental assistance and supporting downtown revitalization via beautification grants, making community centers more economically vibrant and sustainable.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The entire initiative exemplifies SDG 17, which emphasizes the importance of collaboration. Dunn Economic Development itself is a public-private partnership, uniting the resources of key community pillars to achieve common goals. These partners include:

1. Dunn County
2. The City of Menomonie
3. The University of Wisconsin-Stout
4. The Dunn County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC)
5. The Greater Menomonie Development Corporation (GMDC)
6. The Stout Technology & Business Park

Program Structure and Support Mechanisms

Eligible businesses may receive up to $10,000 through a combination of tailored support mechanisms designed to address critical business needs and foster long-term success.

Financial Assistance

• Rental Assistance Grants: To support startups and expanding businesses in securing commercial locations, particularly in previously vacant properties.
• Downtown Menomonie Grant Matches: To provide matching funds for businesses participating in local beautification and sign grant programs, enhancing the community’s economic landscape.
• Economic Development Loan Fund Program Matches: To offer matching funds for businesses that successfully secure loans through Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) partners, such as the Regional Business Fund, Inc. (RBF) or the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HWCC).

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

• Businesses can qualify for reimbursement of business expenses by working with a qualified technical support provider. This builds internal capacity and promotes sustainable business practices. Approved providers include:
  • Center for Innovation and Development at UW-Stout
  • Small Business Development Center at UW-Eau Claire
  • Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce
  • Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council

Grant Administration and Eligibility

Key Administrative Provisions

• Funding Allocation: 100% of the $250,000 grant from WEDC will be passed through directly to the recipient businesses.
• Geographic Requirement: Applicants must verify that they are operating at a physical address within Dunn County to be eligible for funds.
• Application Period: The application for the grant is scheduled to be available by September 15, 2025.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article’s central theme is the launch of the Dunn County Small Business Development Grant, which is explicitly designed to “foster economic growth and resilience” and “create new opportunities.” This directly aligns with promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The program supports businesses to “innovate” and provides “technical assistance” through partners like the Center for Innovation and Development at UW-Stout. This focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The grant has a “special focus on strengthening rural and underserved areas.” By targeting these specific communities and partnering with organizations like the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, the initiative aims to reduce economic inequalities within Dunn County.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article mentions specific support for urban revitalization through “Downtown Menomonie Grant Matches” for beautification and “Rental Assistance Grants” for startups moving into “previously vacant spaces.” This contributes to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The initiative is described as a “first-of-its-kind public-private partnership” that “unites the resources and expertise of six key community pillars,” including government bodies (Dunn County, City of Menomonie, WEDC), academia (University of Wisconsin-Stout), and development corporations. This exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnerships needed to achieve the SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
   • The article details a $250,000 grant program providing “direct financial assistance” and “technical support” to “small businesses and startups,” which is a direct implementation of this target.
2. Target 9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises… to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets.
   • The program offers grants of “up to $10,000 per eligible business” and provides “matching funds for successful applicants of Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) programs,” directly increasing access to financial services for small enterprises.
3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all…
   • The grant’s stated “special focus on strengthening rural and underserved areas” and its partnership with the “Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce” are concrete actions to promote the economic inclusion of specific geographic and ethnic communities.
4. Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.
   • The program’s design, which benefits both “Downtown Menomonie” and “rural communities” across Dunn County, is a form of regional development planning that strengthens economic links between urban and rural areas.
5. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…
   • The article explicitly defines the initiative as a “public-private partnership” involving the state (WEDC), county, city, a university, and development corporations, showcasing a model for this type of collaboration.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 8.3:
   • Total financial assistance provided: The article states a “$250,000 grant” is available, with “100% of the WEDC grant passed through to recipients.”
   • Number of businesses supported: Progress can be measured by the number of “small businesses and startups” that receive a grant.
   • Number of businesses receiving technical support: The article mentions that businesses can work with a “qualified technical support service” to qualify for funds.
   • Job creation: Progress can be measured by the number of “new opportunities” created by the supported businesses.
2. For Target 10.2:
   • Distribution of funds to target areas: An indicator would be the proportion of grants awarded to businesses in “rural and underserved areas.”
   • Support for minority-owned businesses: The number of businesses assisted through the partnership with the “Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce” would be a key indicator.
3. For Target 11.a:
   • Revitalization of vacant properties: The number of “previously vacant spaces” that are occupied by grant-receiving businesses is a direct indicator.
   • Participation in urban renewal: The number of businesses receiving “Matching funds for businesses participating in Downtown Menomonie’s beautification and sign grant programs.”
4. For Target 17.17:
   • Value of public-private partnership: The article states the dollar value of the state’s contribution is “$250,000.”
   • Number of active partners: The article lists the six key community pillars forming the partnership, which serves as a qualitative indicator of its scope.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: weau.com