Upcoming Events
Start a Small Business in 8 Steps
October 22nd | 5:30 - 8:30 PM
418 WISCONSIN STREET, EAU CLAIRE WI
The Western Dairyland Business Center and the Women's Business Center invite entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners to "Start a Small Business in 8 Steps" on Tuesday, October 22nd. The class will run from 5:30 pm-8:30 pm at the Western Dairyland offices at 418 Wisconsin Street in Eau Claire. Tuition is $29. Class materials are included. Scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals.
Topics covered include:
1. Are You an Entrepreneur?
2. Honing an Idea
3. Business Feasibility
4. Legal Structure, Permits & Zoning
5. Marketing
6. Recordkeeping
7. Business Plan
8. Funding
After the class, attendees may request free, one-on-one assistance from Western Dairyland's Business Development Specialists delving deeper into the individual small business needs, including preparing a business plan with financial forecasting to present to lenders.
There are three easy ways to register and pay for the class: online at www.SuccessfulBusiness.org, by phone at 715-836-7511 ext. 1171, or in person at the Western Dairyland office at 418 Wisconsin Street in Eau Claire. Because space is limited, pre-registration and payment is required.
View more about event on SuccessfulBusiness.org »
Upcoming Events
MARKETPLACE WISCONSIN
October 23rd - 24th | 9:48 - 9:48 AM
POTAWATOMI HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER
Registration is now open for the 38th annual
MARKETPLACE WISCONSIN
Governor's Conference on Diverse Business Development
OCTOBER 23-24, 2019
POTAWATOMI HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER
MILWAUKEE
Register for MARKETPLACE here
This two-day annual conference is a one-stop shop for networking, learning and meetings that result in new business for minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned and LGBTQ-owned companies as well as buyers and service providers that want to connect with them.
Why attend MARKETPLACE?
- Minority, woman, veteran and LGTBQ-owned business: Meet with dozens of government and corporate buyers and learn about business funding and assistance resources.
- Procurement and diversity supplier managers: Meet diverse business owners eager to work with your company.
- Government agencies: Share program information with hundreds of businesses.
- Lenders and business assistance providers: Promote loan and assistance programs.
- Ample networking opportunities
View more about event on SuccessfulBusiness.org »
Upcoming Events
Business Plan Basics
November 20th | 5:30 - 8:30 PM
418 WISCONSIN STREET, EAU CLAIRE WI
Small business owners, entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners are invited to attend Business Plan Basics on Wednesday, November 20th, 2019. The class will run from 5:30-8:30 pm. at Western Dairyland Business Center, 418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire. Class participants will learn how to create an effective and engaging business plan that can be presented to lenders and used to guide the launch and growth of a new business. Tuition is $29. Class materials are included. Scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals.
A formal business plan is a required document for anyone in search of funding to start a new business, expand an existing business, or launch a new product. Fundamentally, a business plan will include a mission statement, business description, product description, market analysis, marketing plan, operations plan, management plan and financial projections. However, more than just a document, the process involved with putting the components of a business plan together will help the entrepreneur identify and mitigate risk.
View more about event on SuccessfulBusiness.org »
Latest News
Energy Assistance Available
Posted: September 25th, 2019
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides assistance to low-income families and individuals for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations. Operating with federal and state funding, the program provides assistance to more than 200,000 Wisconsin households annually. Whether a household uses wood, propane, natural gas, electricity, or fuel oil, energy assistance may be available.
WHEAP assistance is a one-time payment during the heating season which runs from October 1st to May 15th. The funding pays a portion of the heating costs, but the payment is not intended to cover the entire cost of heating a residence. The amount of the energy assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the household’s size, income, and energy costs. In most cases the energy assistance benefit is paid directly to the household energy supplier.
Households may be eligible for WHEAP services based on a number of factors. However, if the gross income for the household is less than the amount shown on the following chart, assistance may be available.
Income Guidelines for the 2019-2020 Home Energy Plus Program Year
60 Percent of State Median Income Guidelines
|
Household
Size
|
3 Month
Income
|
Annual
Income
|
|
1
|
$7,168.25
|
$28,673
|
|
2
|
$9,374.00
|
$37,496
|
|
3
|
$11,579.50
|
$46,318
|
|
4
|
$13,785.25
|
$55,141
|
|
5
|
$15,991.00
|
$63,964
|
|
6
|
$18,196.50
|
$72,786
|
|
7
|
$18,610.00
|
$74,440
|
|
8
|
$19,023.75
|
$76,095
|
How to Apply for WHEAP Energy Assistance
Trempealeau county residents: call the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council at 715-985-2391 or send an email to energy-tc@wdeoc.org to schedule a phone or a face-to-face appointment.
Eau Claire county residents: call Western Dairyland at 715-836-7511 or send an email to energy@wdeoc.org to schedule a phone or a face-to-face appointment.
Residents of all other counties should contact their local Health & Human Services office. For more information or to locate your local office, call 1-866-HEATWIS.
Anyone who qualifies for WHEAP Energy Assistance is automatically eligible for the Western Dairyland Weatherization Program. Weatherization services vary with each home, depending on how it was built and its current condition. Common weatherization services include installing attic and sidewall insulation, sealing major air leaks, repairing or replacing furnaces, caulking and/or repairing inefficient windows and doors, adding weather stripping, repairing or replacing hot water heaters, installing energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances, plus other energy-conserving activities.
For more information about the application process, please call Western Dairyland at 715-985-2391 or go to www.WesternDairyland.org. This agency is an equal opportunity provider.
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