Thursday, May 13, 2010

Sawyer County Development Corporation Receives $79,500 from USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development awarded Sawyer County Development Corporation (SCDC) funding which totals $79,500 last week. The funding will help provide technical assistance to new and existing businesses in Sawyer County with a goal of creating and retaining area jobs.

The funding proposal was written by SCDC Executive Director Scott Allen and is called a Rural Business Enterprises Grant (RBEG). “The RBEG will be used to assist entrepreneurs in the start-up phase of new businesses and to help expand and grow existing businesses in Sawyer County,” Allen said.

This is the fourth year SCDC has been awarded the funding.

“We met and surpassed all of the goals and objectives for our previous USDA Rural Development funding,” Allen said. “The fact that we were approved for this RBEG is indicative of Rural Development’s commitment to providing community development opportunities in the rural areas of Wisconsin.”

SCDC assists the public with developing business ideas and plans and providing financial/entrepreneurial expertise. “We truly appreciate the USDA and the USDA funding we been awarded which help business development and jobs creation in the Sawyer County area,” Allen said.

SCDC is staffed by Scott Allen who serves as Director and Elizabeth Metcalf, as Program Manager. The SCDC has a seventeen member Board of Directors who serve as advisors to the organization. Scott Chapin of RJF Agencies chairs the SCDC Board.

Allen, an established entrepreneur, continues to play an integral part in area economic development. He is currently advising businesses which sought SCDC assistance.

Allen credits SCDC’s Board and Program Manager Metcalf with much of the organization’s effectiveness. “The Board has been an effective resource because we have such diverse expertise that we can call upon. It’s the expertise and our efficiency that makes the difference. Much of the credit for our organizational accomplishments and efficiency belongs to Elizabeth Metcalf. Elizabeth has responsibility for managing SCDC programs with a keen eye on organizational efficiency and productivity."

SCDC is currently providing business technical assistance to twelve businesses in Sawyer County. Recently, SCDC developed a grant application to help establish a larger Revolving Loan Fund at SCDC, while managing SCDC’s business revolving loan fund.

In October of 2007, Allen negotiated an agreement which brought the Great Lakes Renewable Energy (GLRE) – a wood fuel pellet manufacturer – to Sawyer County. The plant, which is located on Highway 63 in Hayward, employs 21 full-time employees and 12 year round logging professionals.

In 2008, despite stiff competition from eleven other counties, Allen and Metcalf led the successful effort to bring the corporate headquarters for the health care management firm, Northern Bridges, to Hayward with it’s eighty plus employment positions.

Just six months ago, SCDC facilitated negotiations which brought Cemstone Corporation to Sawyer County. The Cemstone plant is expected to employ five to eight employees initially. Construction on the Cemstone Plant will begin in early summer.

Allen commented, “We’ve had a lot of success through Sawyer County Development Corporation. In addition, to the $79,700 from the USDA, SCDC receives $37,500 in funding from the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors.

Allen continued, “The 121 new jobs that we’ve attracted to Sawyer County since 2007 through new employers such as Northern Bridges, Great Lakes Renewable Energy and Cemstone, brings new money into the local economy. With each dollar that’s spent by the employees of these new companies the county collects additional sales taxes. Furthermore, these new employees pay property taxes, spend money at local businesses, and help to fuel the local economy. We’re happy that we can give the county a big bang for its contribution. I feel real good about our accomplishments.”

Allen added, “People with ideas and others who need more specific, technical guidance and business counseling will really be those who benefit most from the USDA RBEG funding,” Allen added. “We want to make sure those who have business questions or concerns, or who would like to talk ideas, contact SCDC. This funding will truly work for the people of Sawyer County who might need a little extra guidance, either through technical assistance or financing.”

Last year, SCDC received USDA RBEG funding in the amount of $63,500.

“With any grant, there are stipulations and strings attached where agencies must use the money in a specific way,” Allen said. “We certainly utilized the USDA funding from last year to the benefit of Sawyer County businesses. And because we surpassed those expectations and requirements, we were able to make a strong application this year and secure the USDA funding once again for 2010.”

The USDA Rural Development maintains a portfolio of business loans totaling $86 billion. The agency also administers nearly $16 billion in program loans, loan guarantees and grants.

“We are most appreciative to the USDA Rural Development and their excellent staff for the assistance and support they’ve provided SCDC over the past year,” Allen said. “We look forward to continuing that productive relationship in the years to come.”

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Thursday, May 13, 2010

Sawyer County Consortium Awarded $650,000 in Housing Rehab Funds

A Sawyer County consortium of housing organizations, led by Indianhead Community Action Agency (ICAA), has been awarded the administration of a $650,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Home Rehab Grant.

The grant will be used to rehab homes throughout Sawyer County in need of upgrading and repairs. Typical rehab projects include new windows, insulation, doors, even furnaces. Qualifying housing units can be owner-occupied or renter-occupied with applicants of low to moderate income levels. Program funds can also be used for closing costs and up to 50% of a reasonable down payment for the purchase of a home by a low-income household.

"We urge families with housing needs to apply for the CDBG housing rehab program," said ICAA Housing Director Sally Schrader.

To inquire about the application process, contact the SCDC offices at (715) 634-7226 or ICAA at (715) 532-5594.

The Sawyer County housing consortium consists of ICAA, SCDC, Lac Courte Oreilles Housing Authority, Sawyer County Housing Authority, and Impact 7.

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Thursday, May 13, 2010

2009-2010 SCDC Business Breakfast Series a Success

SCDC is taking a summer break from its popular Business Breakfast seminar series, but will continue the programming again in fall 2010. Exploring a new business or professional development topic each month, participants were afforded opportunities to network over breakfast and hear relevant issues discussed by knowledgeable speakers who related the topics to small business owners' concerns.

The last seminar, "Unraveling the National Health Law...and Its Affect on You," was received by a full house. Scott Chapin of RJF Agencies was the featured speaker and was well-versed in how the recent legislation stands to impact individuals and business owners.

"The complexity of this topic may warrant another seminar as we learn more about this legislation," commented SCDC Program Director Elizabeth Metcalf.

Marketplace Foods, which sponsored the health care seminar, also provided an update at the event as to the renovations and remodeling at its Hayward location.

SCDC partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Superior Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the UW-Extension to help design, promote and facilitate the programming series to support businesses and economic development in the region.

Metcalf welcomes business owners to submit suggestions for future topics and speakers for the next series of programming which will commence in October. Businesses that are interested in sponsoring a seminar can contact SCDC to get on the schedule. Metcalf can be reached at (715) 634-7226 or liz@scdc.us.

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