When someone starts a business, they demonstrate that they believe in themselves and in their potential to offer something valuable and marketable. As Mayor of Milwaukee, I share this belief in our businesses and in our region. The advantage of doing business in Milwaukee is that we offer the power of partnerships to maximize the opportunities to grow businesses.
 
That’s why we’ve assembled a toolbox of resources designed to jump–start a new business, expand existing companies, and support businesses that would like to locate here. I encourage you to take a look at the tools we have available to help your business succeed. We can work together to make your business and our City a success.
 

Milwaukee's Business Toolbox select a tool for more information
Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) MEDC is a private non-profit corporation offering financial resources to business in partnership with conventional lenders.	Tax credits Special state and federal tax incentives are available to businesses in Milwaukee.
Environmental assessment and brownfields Financial incentives are available for environmental assessment and brownfield redevelopment.	Site selection  We can help you find an industrial or commercial site for your business.
Neighborhood and Business Development Team	Other resources Links to other financing and workforce resources and information about Milwaukee.

 

Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)  414.286.5840 · Second Mortgage Program Businesses located in the City of Milwaukee can take advantage of fixed rate financing with interest rates as low as current U.S. Treasury rates. In conjunction with a conventional lender, MEDC can finance 25% to 40% of the total project cost, with a maximum of generally $500,000. Eligible uses include building construction, renovations or improvements, real estate purchases, equipment purchases, and long term working capital (working capital can be financed as part of a project that involves fixed assets). Projects totaling $80,000 to $2,000,000 are best suited to this program. MEDC's mortgage/lien generally takes a subordinated position behind the conventional lender's loan for the project. A minimum 10% equity injection is required from the borrower. · Small Business Administration 504 Debenture Program Businesses seeking long-term, fixed rate financing for building and/or equipment projects can take advantage of this program. The long-term fixed interest rates offered by this debenture program are generally lower than A-rated corporate bonds. Small to medium sized businesses are able to access long-term interest rates that previously were available only to companies with publicly traded stock. The 504 Program is limited to 40% of a total project cost or $1 million (up to $1.3 million in certain cases). To be eligible for this program, a business must generally create one new full-time job for each $50,000 borrowed from the program. · Capital Access Program The Capital Access Program is structured as a public/private loan portfolio reserve program. Participating members, along with borrowers, set aside funds as a reserve against loan losses. This is accomplished through creation of a loan loss reserve which enables banks to be more aggressive while prudently making and structuring loans. The bank makes the approval determination, structures the loan, and simply files a one-half page form with MEDC. · Industrial Revenue Bonds The City of Milwaukee and its Redevelopment Authority issue tax–exempt industrial development revenue bonds to finance projects for manufacturers. Bonds issued through the Authority are double tax–exempt. This program has provided nearly $685 million in financing to more than 200 Milwaukee firms. · Mentor Access Program The Mentor Access Program (MAP) provides marketing support for emerging technology companies. Financial assistance is available for eligible private consultants to help your company formulate a business strategy, improve access to financing, achieve success in business plan competitions and expand markets. · Customized labor training grants We work with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to secure grants for job training on new technologies and production processes. · Business planning assistance MEDC provides assistance with consulting services provided through private consultants. Early-stage technology companies are able to receive help with feasibility assessment, market research and business plan development.  Tax Credits      414.286.5840 · Renewal Community tax incentives The Renewal Community is a targeted area, comprised of 88 census tracts and home to just under 200,000 residents, where businesses have access to special Federal tax incentives. Businesses can save thousands through wage credits and deductions available in this target area. · New Market tax credits The New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) Program provides investors with a 39 percent federal tax credit over a 7 year period for making qualified equity investments in designated areas. · Job creation tax credits Businesses located or expanding in the City of Milwaukee's Development Zones may take advantage of various tax credits for hiring disadvantaged job applicants. The business must be expanding or locating in the City of Milwaukee and be approved for development zone credits. · Technology Zone tax credits MEDC works to build awareness of the uses and applications of technology in our region’s existing businesses as well as new and innovative companies forming around new technologies. Early-stage technology companies are able to receive help with feasibility assessment, market research and business plan development. We work closely with TechStar and the Medical College of Wisconsin to facilitate technology transfer activities and stimulate the formation of new companies. ·   Development Zone tax credits   Environmental remediation tax credits   Job creation tax credits Development Zones provide tax credits to businesses that locate or expand in designated zones. Milwaukee's zones offer prime locations with direct access to the Port of Milwaukee, the area railway system, General Mitchell International Airport and interstate highways. · Environmental remediation tax credits Businesses locating or expanding in the City of Milwaukee's Development Zones, designated by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, may qualify for tax credits for initiating environmental remediation. Nearly all areas zoned for manufacturing uses in the City are included in the Development Zone.  Environmental assessment and brownfields    414.286.5840 · Environmental site assessment matching funds Looking at a site in Milwaukee, but concerned that possible environmental contamination might make the property too difficult and expensive? Give us a call. ·  Brownfields MEDC, in partnership with the City of Milwaukee, has made the reuse and redevelopment of brownfields a high priority. We have a track record of participating in over 70 successful brownfield redevelopment projects.  Site selection      industrial sites:   414.286.5840      commercial sites:   414.286.8201   · Industrial sites MEDC has industrial land sites ready for development. We can help you with the management and marketing of the development. · Commercial sites Search for sites in neighborhood commercial districts and find out more about Milwaukee's commercial districts  DCD Neighborhood and Business Development Team  414.286.8201 ·  Business associations There are more than 40 local merchant groups representing many of Milwaukee's diverse neighborhood commercial areas.  · Business district profiles We have traffic counts, retail rents and more for city's commercial districts. · Business improvement districts (BIDs) Property owners in BID areas voluntarily collect annual assessments that are spent on streetscape, marketing, recruitment and other projects to enhance the local business environment. DCD staff are available to assist merchant organizations in developing a BID. · Capital improvement program DCD has access to funds for improvements to the public way, such as lighting, landscaping, or special paving in conjunction with significant private investment from your project as well as on a cost–sharing basis with other local property owners. · Commercial sites Search for sites in neighborhood commercial districts and find out more about Milwaukee's commercial districts · Facade grants Established by DCD to increase the physical appearance of Milwaukee’s commercial areas, the Façade Grant is a 50-50 matching grant not to exceed $5,000. Both property owners and leasers are eligible to apply. · Main Street Milwaukee Main Street Milwaukee is a comprehensive approach to increase investment in urban neighborhoods, create new businesses, jobs, and wealth in urban communities. · Public improvement projects DCD has the ability to partner with neighborhood merchant groups to make major improvements in commercial districts. Such improvements could include installation of harp lights, special paving materials at intersections, or other improvements in the public way. · Purchasing power profiles Milwaukee is a strong market for retail development. The purchasing power profiles, developed by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Employment and Training Institute, are designed to help businesses, developers, and organizations assess the advantages of urban density for underserved city neighborhoods and to spur economic development in central city Milwaukee · Retail Investment Fund (RIF) RIF funds retail development projects located in neighborhood business districts. · Spending power & economic indicators Milwaukee has a strong market for retail business. Per capita personal income in metro Milwaukee, which totals $34.8 billion, is about 10 percent higher than regional and national averages.  Other Resources      Financing Resources · Wisconsin Department of Commerce labor training grants · Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation      Workforce Resources · Private Industry Council · Job centers  · State Department of Workforce Development      Related links · Invest in Downtown Milwaukee · Business resources:  Milw. Public Library website · Forward Wisconsin · Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce · MetroMilwaukee.org · SCORE · Small Business Administration · Visit Milwaukee