Upcoming Events
Up Your Marketing Game in 2019-50 Tips You Can Use TODAY!
March 20th | 5:30 - 6:30 PM
AUGUSTA PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Western Dairyland Business Center invites current and prospective business owners and entrepreneurs to attend “Up Your Marketing Game in 2019—50 Tips You Can Use TODAY” on Wednesday, March 20th from 5:30-6:30pm at Augusta Public Library, Augusta, WI. There is no fee for the training, but because space is limited, pre-registration at www.SuccessfulBusiness.org is requested.
This fast paced presentation is specifically geared toward helping rural businesses grow. In just sixty minutes, attendees will be provided with 50 innovative, low- and no-cost marketing tips for 2019. Topics to be covered include social media, seasonal marketing, loyalty programs, promotions, alliance marketing and branding. To implement any of the marketing strategies discussed, rural business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are encouraged to borrow laptops and mobile hotspots from the Western Dairyland Computer Lending Library for up to 60 days at no cost.
Following the presentation, participants are encouraged to meet one-on-one with a Western Dairyland Business Development Specialist at no cost to discuss their specific business plans. The Western Dairyland Business Center provides assistance to individuals interested in starting, expanding or improving small businesses primarily in Barron, Buffalo, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix and Trempealeau counties. Services are designed to provide entrepreneurs with access to individualized as well as group business training, referrals, financing, technology, and ongoing business case management services. For more information, go to www.SuccessfulBusiness.org.
View more about event on SuccessfulBusiness.org »
Upcoming Events
Business Tax Chat
March 26th | 6 - 8 PM
418 WISCONSIN STREET, EAU CLAIRE WI
The Western Dairyland Women’s Business Center, SCORE, and H & R Block invite entrepreneurs and business owners to attend a Business Tax Chat to discuss small business tax preparation questions on Tuesday, March 26th from 6 pm-8 pm the Western Dairyland Business Center in Eau Claire at 418 Wisconsin Street. Tuition is $10. For more information or to register go to the Western Dairyland Business Center, call 715-836-7511 ext. 1171, or visit www.successfulbusiness.org.
The Business Tax Chat is an opportunity for small business owners, particularly individuals who may be filing for the first time, to bring questions about their specific small business tax concerns. Topics covered include:
• Do you have a hobby or are you operating a business?
• How do you differentiate between commuter, business and personal travel to be able to accurately deduct appropriate auto and mileage expenses?
• How do you document and deduct business travel and meals?
• How do you identify and calculate home office deductions?
• What is the difference between assets and expenses?
• How and why do you depreciate assets?
• When and how do you report Wisconsin sales tax?
• How much do you need to set aside for employment taxes?
Business Tax Chats will be facilitated by Amy Vik, master tax advisor and enrolled agent for H & R Block with 22 years of experience. H&R Block is a global consumer tax services provider, having prepared more than 680 million tax returns since 1955.
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. The Western Wisconsin chapter of SCORE can be reached at https://westernwisconsin.score.org/.
The Western Dairyland Women's Business Center provides individualized and group business training, referrals, financing, technology, and ongoing business case management services to start-up, existing, and expanding businesses.
View more about event on SuccessfulBusiness.org »
Upcoming Events
Start a Small Business in 8 Steps
April 18th | 6 - 9 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 Thursday, April 18th. The class will run from 6 pm-9 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
Business Tax Chat
May 21st | 6 - 8 PM
418 WISCONSIN STREET, EAU CLAIRE WI
The Western Dairyland Women’s Business Center, SCORE, and H & R Block invite entrepreneurs and business owners to attend a Business Tax Chat to discuss small business tax preparation questions on Tuesday, May 21st from 6 pm-8 pm at the Western Dairyland Business Center in Eau Claire at 418 Wisconsin Street. Tuition is $10. For more information or to register go to the Western Dairyland Business Center, call 715-836-7511 ext. 1171, or visit www.successfulbusiness.org.
The Business Tax Chat is an opportunity for small business owners, particularly individuals who may be filing for the first time, to bring questions about their specific small business tax concerns. Topics covered include:
• Do you have a hobby or are you operating a business?
• How do you differentiate between commuter, business and personal travel to be able to accurately deduct appropriate auto and mileage expenses?
• How do you document and deduct business travel and meals?
• How do you identify and calculate home office deductions?
• What is the difference between assets and expenses?
• How and why do you depreciate assets?
• When and how do you report Wisconsin sales tax?
• How much do you need to set aside for employment taxes?
Business Tax Chats will be facilitated by Amy Vik, master tax advisor and enrolled agent for H & R Block with 22 years of experience. H&R Block is a global consumer tax services provider, having prepared more than 680 million tax returns since 1955.
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. The Western Wisconsin chapter of SCORE can be reached at https://westernwisconsin.score.org/.
The Western Dairyland Women's Business Center provides individualized and group business training, referrals, financing, technology, and ongoing business case management services to start-up, existing, and expanding businesses.
View more about event on SuccessfulBusiness.org »
Latest News
National Weatherization Day Observed October 30th, 2018
Posted: October 26th, 2018
Winter is approaching fast, and it’s the low-income members of our community who will be most affected by the cold weather. Homes with drafty windows and not enough insulation can be expensive to heat during the winter months, but there is help available.
This year marks the 42nd Anniversary of the Weatherization Assistance Program which has helped millions of families, seniors and less-fortunate individuals make it through the winter. Since 1976, more than 7.4 million homes have been weatherized across the country, including an average of 250 per year in west-central Wisconsin. Locally, homes are weatherized by the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency in Eau Claire, Buffalo, Trempealeau, Jackson and Clark counties.
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 adding weather stripping, insulating or replacing hot water heaters. Depending on age, some old refrigerators and freezers may be replaced with the goal of decreasing a home’s energy usage.
After weatherization services are complete, the average annual cost savings per home is between $480 and $620.
Households that received Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) benefits during the last heating season are automatically eligible for weatherization services. Residents of Eau Claire and Trempealeau counties may apply for WHEAP and Weatherization through the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency by calling 715-985-2391 or 715-836-7511. Applications are also available online at www.WesternDairyland.org. Residents of other counties may apply for WHEAP at their local Health & Human Services Offices before requesting a Weatherization application from Western Dairyland.
Únase a nuestra junta de directores
Posted: July 20th, 2018
El Consejo de oportunidades económicas de Western Dairyland, Inc. (Western Dairyland) está actualmente buscando un representante elegible para ingresos de los condados de Buffalo y Trempealeau para nuestra Junta Directiva. Esta es una excelente oportunidad para ayudar a nuestra organización a desarrollar programas que satisfagan las necesidades de la comunidad, así como obtener experiencia personal/profesional como miembro de la Junta. Western Dairyland, fundada en 1966, opera varios programas federales, estatales y financiados localmente para aliviar las condiciones relacionadas con la pobreza y ofrecer oportunidades que permitan a las personas avanzar económicamente y socialmente.
Read the entire article.
Por favor, consulte nuestro sitio web para obtener más información sobre nuestros programas: www.westerndairyland.org
Las agencias de acción comunitaria atienden a casi 15 millones personas anualmente en el 99% de los condados de la nación. Hay 16 agencias de acción comunitarias en Wisconsin, y Western Dairyland representa cuatro condados dentro del estado: Buffalo, Eau Claire, Jackson y Trempealeau. Western Dairyland está regida por una Junta Directiva formada por funcionarios públicos locales electos, electores que reúnen los requisitos de ingresos y representantes del sector privado. Un tercio de la Junta de veinticuatro miembros de Western Dairyland está formada por representantes elegibles por ingresos que son elegidos por sus pares (individuos elegibles para el ingreso). Los candidatos deben cumplir con las pautas de ingresos (ver la tabla abajo) y vivir en el condado que representan.
Las reuniones de la Junta de Western Dairyland son por la tarde el tercer miércoles de cada mes excepto en julio y diciembre. Los miembros de la Junta participan en la revisión de programas, desarrollo estratégico, revisión de las finanzas de la agencia, y tienen la oportunidad de asistir a cursos.
Los miembros de la Junta elegible para ingresos reciben cuidado de niños y reembolso de kilometraje. Western Dairyland se compromete a construir una junta diversa y alienta a las mujeres, las minorías y las personas con discapacidad a aplicar.
Si usted está interesado en ser un representante elegible para ingresos en la Junta Directiva de Western Dairyland, por favor comuníquese con Anna al 715-985-2391 o anna.cardarella@wdeoc.org
Join Our Board of Directors
Posted: July 17th, 2018
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. (Western Dairyland) is currently seeking an income-eligible representative from Buffalo and Trempealeau Counties for our Board of Directors. This is an excellent opportunity to assist our organization with developing programs that meet the needs of the community as well as gain personal/professional experience as a Board member. Western Dairyland, founded in 1966, operates a number of federal, state and locally funded programs designed to alleviate poverty-related conditions and provide opportunities which enable people to advance economically and socially.
Read the entire article.
Community Action Agencies serve nearly 15 million people yearly in 99% of the nation’s counties. There are 16 Community Action Agencies in Wisconsin, and Western Dairyland represents four counties within the state: Buffalo, Eau Claire, Jackson and Trempealeau. Western Dairyland is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of elected local public officials, income-eligible constituents, and private sector representatives. One third of Western Dairyland’s twenty-four member board is comprised of income-eligible representatives who are elected by their peers (income-eligible individuals). Candidates must meet income guidelines and live in the county they represent.
Western Dairyland Board meetings are held in the evening on the third Wednesday of every month except for July and December. Board members participate in program review, strategic development, review agency financials, and have the opportunity to attend trainings.
Income-eligible Board members receive child care and mileage reimbursement. Western Dairyland is committed to building a diverse Board and encourages women, minorities and individuals with a disability to apply.
If you are interested in becoming an income-eligible representative on the Western Dairyland Board of Directors, please contact Anna at 715-985-2391 or anna.cardarella@wdeoc.org.
Trempealeau County Food Pantry
Moving to Whitehall
Posted: June 27th, 2018
Starting July 21, 2018, the Trempealeau County Food Pantry will be at a new location in the Trempealeau County Health Care Center on Highway 121 in Whitehall.
Read the entire article.
Formerly located at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Strum, the pantry is moving to a larger, more accessible location with more parking and an easier-to-use loading dock. The pantry will be operated by volunteers from American Legion Hutchins-Stendahl Post 191 and will receive supplemental food through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a federal program that provides assistance to low-income families through the distribution of food available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Western Dairyland Community Action Agency in Independence operates the TEFAP program and provides supplemental food to four food pantries in Eau Claire, Buffalo, Trempealeau and Jackson Counties. These pantries are open monthly and provide an emergency supply of food that should last a household three to five days. Many of the volunteers who staff the food pantries come from Western Dairyland's RSVP Volunteer Program.
The Trempealeau County Food Pantry will be open to Trempealeau County residents on the third Saturday of every month from 2 to 5 pm. For the remainder of 2018, the pantry will be open on July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17 and December 15.
Anyone using the pantry for the first time should be prepared to provide the following:
- A form of ID for each member in the household. This includes a driver’s license; state, military or tribal ID; passport; birth certificate or baptismal records; Wisconsin immunization records; report cards, library cards, or first-class mail address to the particular household member postmarked within 30 days.
- Proof of address. This includes first-class mail postmarked within 30 days (a second piece of mail if using mail as your ID); rent/mortgage receipt; rent or lease agreement; property tax bill.
- Declaration of income. You must be able to self-declare that your household meets the income guidelines to receive food. Current income guidelines for eligibility to participate in the food distribution program are posted at the food pantry.
Anyone making a subsequent visit must provide the following at the time of registration each month:
- A form of ID for the person picking up the food.
- Proof of residency (only if this has changed since your last visit).
Individuals or groups interested in volunteering or donating to the food pantry can contact David McRae at 715-538-2006 or Western Dairyland at 715-836-7511 ext. 1188 or email tefap@wdeoc.org.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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