Economic Development

The Village of Ellsworth is located in Western Wisconsin, minutes east of the metropolitan areas of St. Paul and Minneapolis. As the geographic center of Pierce County we are proud to serve as the county seat. Four major highways – Highway 10 and State Highways 65, 63, and 72 – intersect in the Village.

Ellsworth’s downtown has a lot to offer—a supportive business community, active chamber of commerce, prime real estate opportunities on a major state highway, and nearly 200,000 regional visitors heading to the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery and other local tourist destinations annually.

GRANTS & FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES:

BUSINESS RESOURCES:

GRANTS & FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES:

Red Letter Grant for Women-Owned Businesses

Open to women throughout ten counties in western Wisconsin who want to start a new business. Existing women-owned businesses looking to expand are also considered (preference is given to applicants in the start-up phase--three years old or younger). If you have already received a Red Letter Grant, you cannot re-apply for the same business, but you may apply for a new start-up.

Eligible counties include: Buffalo, Clark, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, and Trempealeau. Up to four $2,000 grants are awarded each spring and fall. For timelines and grant application visit the Red Letter Grant website here.

Kiva US Crowdfunded Loans

What is a Kiva US crowdfunded loan? Unlike loans from traditional lenders, other microlenders, or other crowdfunding platforms, Kiva US offers loans from $1,000 to $15,000 that are 0 % interest, fee-free, crowdfunded loans with applications that require no credit score, collateral, business plan, or financial statements. Small businesses and their projects in the state of Wisconsin have had great success with this loan program--more than $2 million in Kiva US loans have been fully funded in the state as of August 2020. According to Wisconsin Economic Development (WEDC), our state continues to experience record-levels of applicants.

Download an informational brochure here.
Begin your application here.

For answers to your questions:
Errin Welty
Wisconsin Economic Development/Connect Communities
EMAIL: errin.welty@wedc.org

The Business Capital Fund

The Business Capital Fund is a revolving loan fund (RLF) designed to address a gap in private capital markets for long-term-fixed rate, low down payment, low interest financing. The fund is targeted to manufacturers, tourism and selected service industries which create jobs and are located in Buffalo, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce and Trempealeau Counties. The fund serves as a stimulant for commercial lending but is not a substitute for private capital.

The loan application form is obtained through a participating lender. The Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission provides administrative and technical assistance.

Download an informational brochure here.
See the application here.

For further information on this loan opportunity contact:

Lauren Highfill, Pierce County Economic Development
EMAIL: laurenh@pcedc.com

Mississippi River Regional Planning
PHONE: 608-785-9396
EMAIL: plan@mrrpc.com

BUSINESS RESOURCES:

Pierce County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC): The PCEDC is your business information and financing resource. The organization works to improve the environment for business and job growth to sustain and improve the quality of life in Pierce County. Pierce County offers a unique combination of Minneapolis - St. Paul metro area access with authentic Wisconsin rural character. Contact the PCEDC for assistance and referrals to support your business, including free, confidential discussion of your business financing needs.

Business Tools: From checklists to business funding resources to free training opportunities, explore a vast range of business tools here.
Business Plan Help: To get a start on your business plan, PCEDC recommends University of Minnesota's AgPlan app. While designed with ag businesses in mind, this tool is free to use and offers templates and guidance applicable to any business. Access the AgPlan app here. Watch videos that take you step-by step through the process here.
"Where's the Money" webinar: A comprehensive guide to debt and equity capital sources for small businesses. Joe Folsom shares funding opportunities and how to prepare for the loan and grant process. Watch the webinar here.

Pierce County Economic Development Corporation
Director: Lauren Highfill
UW-River Falls, CBE 410 S Third St., River Falls, WI 54022
Phone: 715-307-9674
Visit their website here.

The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helps small businesses reach their goals. Offing consulting, education, referrals, and sophisticated tools and resources to support small businesses thrive and grow. Regional SBDC experts facilitate improvement and growth for small and emerging companies and help launch successful new enterprises to enhance the Wisconsin entrepreneurial ecosystem. Whether your business is just getting started or you're looking for ways to improve and grow, the services offered by the SBDC are invaluable.

Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Center Director: Katherine Fossler
1091 Sutherland Avenue
River Falls, WI 54022
Phone: 715-425-3472
Visit their website here.

Momentum West: Momentum West is a regional economic development organization serving Barron, Clark, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pierce, Pepin, Polk, Rusk, and St. Croix counties. Momentum West's volunteer Board of Directors provides their time, expertise and assistance in establishing annual goals and activities with a focus on marketing and branding western Wisconsin, serving as an economic development support conduit for western Wisconsin and advocating for the accomplishment of regional initiatives.

Momentum West
2322 Alpine Road, Suite 7
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: 715-874-4673
Visit their website here.

Village of Ellsworth: In Ellsworth, well established enterprises thrive while new businesses abound in and near the village; Ellsworth’s East End Industrial Park has eight acres available, and another 11 acres available in Crossing Meadows Business Park to the north.

Village of Ellsworth
Village Administrator: Brad Roy
Village Board President: Becky Beissel
130 North Chestnut Street
Ellsworth, Wisconsin 54011
Phone: 715-273-4742
More information about the Crossing Meadow’s Business Park can be found here.

More information about the East End Industrial Park can be found here.

Wisconsin's One Stop Business Portal: Open for Business Wisconsin's One Stop Business Portal walks small business owners through three simple steps to start their new business. The site combines multiple forms from the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), the Department of Revenue (DOR), and the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) into a single streamlined process for business creators. If you're a new business owner and job creator, we recommend you start here. The One Stop Business Portal streamlines the new business registration process and exemplifies Wisconsin’s leadership in providing a strong environment for business growth and entrepreneurship in our state.

One Stop Business Portal
Phone: (608) 250-4606
Visit their website here.

Western Wisconsin Women's Business Center: The Western Wisconsin Women’s Business Center provides training, resources, and one-on-one business counseling services to 12 western Wisconsin counties including Pierce.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs interested in starting, improving, or growing a business may be eligible to receive no-cost technical assistance in all aspects of business operation including business plan development, feasibility studies, marketing assistance, business management, and operations. Special efforts are made to assist economically and socially disadvantaged women.

Their online training video library is a invaluable resource for new business owners! See Video Library

Western Wisconsin Women's Business Center
418 Wisconsin St
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: 715-836-7511
Visit their website here.

Ellsworth’s Commercial Properties

Ellsworth’s downtown has a lot to offer—a supportive business community, active chamber of commerce, prime real estate opportunities on a major state highway, and nearly 200,000 visitors heading to the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery and other local tourist destinations annually.

Here are the current vacant properties located in our downtown business district.

DOWNTOWN: