UW-Madison Extension is proud to join with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) on a new initiative to support rural entrepreneurship across the state. As announced by Gov. Tony Evers today, a $1 million initiative led by Extension and WEDC will provide much-needed resources, support, and technical assistance to rural entrepreneurs in need of support to start a business or bolster their existing business.

As part of this initiative, five rural Wisconsin communities just received help jumpstarting their economic development plans. Additionally, programming is also being developed by UW-Madison Extension in partnership with University of Minnesota Extension using funding from two farm credit associations: Compeer Financial and AgCountry Farm Credit Services.

“The success of our rural communities is vital to the success of our entire state, but we know rural entrepreneurs face gaps in access to the resources and technical assistance they may need to reach their goals,” Gov. Evers said in a release today. “I’m proud to be investing in creating this critically important collaboration between WEDC and Extension to continue investing in the ingenuity, entrepreneurship, and prosperity of folks who call our rural communities home.”

“We know that rural communities and economies can thrive when local ideas get the opportunity to grow into established businesses,” Karl Martin, UW-Madison Extension Dean & Director. “We are working with entrepreneurs and industries right in their own communities to leverage the knowledge and talent all around them. This is an exciting opportunity to focus on the kinds of businesses that can benefit from training and guidance to bring innovation and action to rural areas.”

Read more about the new funding announced today: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/32f7af9