Tax Incremental Financing (TIF)
Tax Incremental Financing helps communities attract industrial and commercial growth in underdeveloped areas. A city or village can designate a specific area within its boundaries as a TIF district and develop a plan to improve its property values. Taxes generated by the increased property values pay for land acquisition or needed public works.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Economic Development Program
Community Development Block Grants provide grants to communities to loan to businesses for start-up, retention and expansion projects based on the number and types of jobs created or retained. Communities can create community revolving loan funds from the loan repayments.

Rural Economic Development Microloan Program
The Rural Economic Development Microloan Program is designed to provide working capital or fixed asset financing for businesses located in rural communities.

Economic Diversification Loan (EDL)
The Economic Diversification Loan program provides low interest loans to existing businesses interested in establishing or expanding operations in Wisconsin. EDL applicants must provide a comprehensive business plan that describes the proposed project. Applicant can receive up to 75 percent of eligible costs. The actual award is based upon the project's viability, the number and types of jobs created or retained, and the extent to which the project will help diversify the local economy.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration provides loan guarantees that are used in conjunction with bank financing to improve loan terms. The SBA can provide information on authorized micro-lenders athta make loans of $25,000 or less, small business investment companies and certified development corporations that make fized-rate, long-term loans for the acquisition of business assets.

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Small Business Guarantee
WHEDA grants can be used for expenses of land, buildings, equipment and inventory associated with the expansion or acquisition of a small business (50 or less full-time employees). The guarantee is limited to $250,000. This program can finance a mixed-use project if the business occupies at least half of the building. This program can also be used to start a day care business including cooperative ownership or nonprofit status.

WHEDA's Small Business and Agriculture Programs
http://www.wheda.com/sb_ag.asp
Learn about WHEDA's small business and agricultural financing products. Find out how WHEDA can help you to acquire, expand or modernize your business or farm.

Barron County: Your WHEDA Representative is: Janet Bewley
1-800-334-6873, Ext. 613
Janet's e-mail address: janet.bewley@wheda.com
Also serving: Ashalnd, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Florence, Forest, Iron, Oneida, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Vilas and Washburn counties.

The Wisconsin Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) Program
TEA grants fund transportation facilities improvements (road, rail, harbor, airport) that are part of an economic development project. For more information, contact Dennis W. Leong, Department of Transportation at 608-266-9910.

Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRB)
Industrial Revenue Bonds are a means of financing the construction and equipping of manufacturing plants. The municipality is not responsible for debt service on IRBs, nor is it liable in the case of default. IRBs are also exempt from federal income tax.