The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) have been awarded $6.13 million to support continuation of the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), serving Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. DBIA offers both industry education, technical support and direct-to-business grants.

“Now more than ever, dairy businesses must work quickly to adapt to changes in consumer demands and market opportunities. We are pleased to be able to put USDA funds to work, building upon the tremendous interest in the first initiative, to help dairy farmers and processors survive and thrive amid challenging conditions,” said John Lucey, CDR Director.

MadREP is a collaborator on the project. Collaborators aid in developing, marketing, and implementing program workshops, as well as help develop the pipeline of project participants.  “In addition to our established collaborator role, MadREP has plans to offer direct technical assistance to program participants,” said Craig Kettleson, MadREP’s enterprise development director. “We’re able to advise them in a variety of areas, including business planning and economic development financing.”

In the next funding period, running through 2023, the DBIA will provide funding across market research, product development, training workshops, and consultative services to industry. In addition, the DBIA will also distribute over $3.4 million in grants to dairy farm and processing businesses, in potential increments between $5,000-$250,000.

“We’re excited to be able to support investments in great ideas that will boost sales of value-added dairy products, both here and abroad,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director. “As sales climb, the dairy industry will grow stronger and more stable, from farm to vat.”

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) authored the bill creating the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative program, successfully shepherding its passage in 2018. Baldwin helped secure initial funding for DBIA of $450,000 in 2019, and championed expanded funding this year, along with Congressmen Glenn Grothman (R-WI6), Ron Kind (D-WI3), Mark Pocan (D-WI2), Bryan Steil (R-WI1), and state department of agriculture officials.

“Our dairy businesses are a key driver of our state’s economy, but just like many other folks in Wisconsin, they’re facing some tough times right now as a result of the pandemic. Farmers, cheesemakers and dairy processors must have the tools to innovate and develop new Made in Wisconsin dairy products, so they can get through this economic crisis and build a brighter future for our dairy farms and rural communities,” said Senator Baldwin. “I created this initiative in the Farm Bill to open up new resources for dairy businesses to foster innovation, update their manufacturing practices and reach new markets. I’m proud that the Center for Dairy Research at UW-Madison is receiving this grant funding to continue their important partnership with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, as we all work together to ensure our dairy industry can continue to lead the nation.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) have been awarded $6.13 million to support continuation of the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), serving Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. DBIA offers both industry education, technical support and direct-to-business grants.

“Now more than ever, dairy businesses must work quickly to adapt to changes in consumer demands and market opportunities. We are pleased to be able to put USDA funds to work, building upon the tremendous interest in the first initiative, to help dairy farmers and processors survive and thrive amid challenging conditions,” said John Lucey, CDR Director.

In the next funding period, running through 2023, the DBIA will provide funding across market research, product development, training workshops, and consultative services to industry. In addition, the DBIA will also distribute over $3.4 million in grants to dairy farm and processing businesses, in potential increments between $5,000-$250,000.

“We’re excited to be able to support investments in great ideas that will boost sales of value-added dairy products, both here and abroad,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director. “As sales climb, the dairy industry will grow stronger and more stable, from farm to vat.”

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) authored the bill creating the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative program, successfully shepherding its passage in 2018. Baldwin helped secure initial funding for DBIA of $450,000 in 2019, and championed expanded funding this year, along with Congressmen Glenn Grothman (R-WI6), Ron Kind (D-WI3), Mark Pocan (D-WI2), Bryan Steil (R-WI1), and state department of agriculture officials.

“Our dairy businesses are a key driver of our state’s economy, but just like many other folks in Wisconsin, they’re facing some tough times right now as a result of the pandemic. Farmers, cheesemakers and dairy processors must have the tools to innovate and develop new Made in Wisconsin dairy products, so they can get through this economic crisis and build a brighter future for our dairy farms and rural communities,” said Senator Baldwin. “I created this initiative in the Farm Bill to open up new resources for dairy businesses to foster innovation, update their manufacturing practices and reach new markets. I’m proud that the Center for Dairy Research at UW-Madison is receiving this grant funding to continue their important partnership with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, as we all work together to ensure our dairy industry can continue to lead the nation.”

Current and future announcements regarding DBIA trainings and grants can be found at www.cdr.wisc.edu and www.wischeesemakers.org.

While the Madison Region continues to receive awards and accolades as a great place to start and grow a business, the volume of resources can be overwhelming. Hundreds of organizations provide services to both emerging and existing small businesses locally and across the state. However, an entrepreneur can spend a great deal of valuable time trying to find the right service at the right time.

The solution? Start In Wisconsin, a comprehensive online directory of resources and a calendar of entrepreneur-focused events. The Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP), StartingBlock Madison, and UW–Madison’s Innovate Network led the development and implementation of Start In Wisconsin for the Madison Region.

The directory helps entrepreneurs find the vetted local, regional and state resources that best suit their needs. Resources are searchable by ZIP code, type of business assistance and many other categories. It can be found by choosing the Madison Region at StartInWI.com or on the Start In Madison Region website at StartInWI.com\Madison-Region.

“This resource is simple, convenient and up to date, fostering important connections across the entrepreneurial ecosystem of our Region,” said MadREP President Paul Jadin. “Start In Madison Region will support our already attractive innovation and entrepreneurship environment.” Most recently, Business Facilities Magazine ranked Madison #3 on their list of Best Business Climate in Mid-Sized Cities.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt, StartingBlock Madison’s new executive director, stressed how grateful her organization is for the opportunity to work with partners at the WEDC, UW Madison, and the Madison Region Economic Partnership to successfully launch Start-In Madison Region adding, “this user-friendly platform offers numerous opportunities for small businesses, startups and gig economy entrepreneurs to explore resources and to showcase their services.”

“Several years ago, we began to envision a tool that would connect community and campus entrepreneurs to the many great entrepreneurial resources in our region,” said Andy Richards, director of the Discovery to Product (D2P) program at UW–Madison. “We are excited to formally announce the fruits of our labor and are appreciative of the strong partnerships with StartingBlock, WEDC, UW System, and MadREP that have made this possible.”

“We started this project along with our partners because of the need to help entrepreneurs identify and connect to support, but also to help the supporting organizations connect to each other, said Aaron Hagar, vice president of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s division of entrepreneurship & innovation. “While this initiative was conceived prior to COVID, entrepreneurship is a key ingredient to our emergence from these challenging times and the need to offer new ways to connect and communicate is even more important now that we are limited in our face-to-face interactions and events.”

Entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) are encouraged to apply to be part of Start in Wisconsin via an online form. As part of the network, organizations can update their profiles and interact more directly with other ESOs in the region.

Start In Wisconsin is an initiative funded by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), in collaboration with UW System Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, StartingBlock Madison, UW-Madison and local entrepreneur support organizations in nine regions across the state.

The Start In Wisconsin platform is powered by SourceLink, a trusted and experienced organization with a national affiliation of user communities.

 

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About Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP)
MadREP is the economic development agency for the eight-county Madison Region, founded by business and community leaders to create a dynamic environment where people and businesses prosper. MadREP and its partners aim to proactively and strategically position the region to take advantage of economic and business development opportunities. Learn more at madisonregion.org.

About Starting Block
StartingBlock Madison represents a community effort — from Madison’s entrepreneur community, city and business leaders, and our educational and government institutions to help make Madison a global leader in entrepreneurship by sparking innovation and companies that make a difference – now and in the future. At StartingBlock, we create meaningful intersections that cultivate entrepreneurs, build innovative and growing companies, and drive new ideas into reality.

About UW–Madison’s Innovate Network
Coordinated by UW–Madison’s Discovery to Product, the Innovate Network is a collaborative member group that includes 18 university entities and campus affiliates working together to better support campus innovators. The group’s shared goals include building a stronger culture of entrepreneurship on campus and strengthening connections to the Madison entrepreneurial community. www.innovate.wisc.edu

About UW System Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship
The Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship helps entrepreneurs, businesses and economic development professionals across the state to achieve their goals. The Institute, part of the University of Wisconsin System, offers business consulting, education and data services through five distinct program units: Small Business Development Center Network, Center for Technology Commercialization, Food Finance Institute, Center for Business Intelligence and Business Dynamics Research Consortium. This critical business outreach enhances the value of Wisconsin one business at a time. www.business.wisconsin.edu

About Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. www.wedc.org

 

Urban League of Greater Madison President & CEO, Ruben L. Anthony, Jr., announced today that the organization is launching a new $5,000,000 initiative to increase homeownership among Black Madisonians. He was joined in making the announcement by partners in the project including WHEDA Executive Director Joaquin Altoro, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, South Madison Alder Sheri Carter, and other financing partners from National Community Investment Fund, Wells Fargo, and Johnson Bank.

The Urban League is in the process of purchasing between 15 and 17 homes in economically distressed census tracts, performing extensive renovation work on the homes over the next 12 months , and then re-selling them to low and moderate income families seeking to become first-time homeowners. The Urban League will offer a no-down payment, interest-only program with a saving and wealth building component plus other favorable terms and benefits including ongoing homeownership readiness training and individualized financial empowerment counseling.

The project will utilize the federal New Markets Tax Credit Program as the financing mechanism. The tax credits are being allocated by National Community Investment Fund (NCIF), a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) headquartered in Chicago, but investing in low and moderate income communities all across the country.

Saurabh Narain, NCIF’s President & CEO, explained that “this is an innovative use of the NMTC program, which has traditionally been used for commercial and mixed-use projects. We want this to be a model that can be scaled and replicated here and across the country – to create wealth and homeownership among minority and African American populations – and the Urban League was a logical partner because of their track record and because they are part of a national network of affiliates that can help us scale this model.”

Another innovative and important component of the project will be a partnership with Operation Fresh Start (OFS). OFS will serve as general contractor on several of the homes, and the ULGM and OFS will collaborate on a construction training project that will teach unemployed and underemployed adults construction skills while working hands-on to rehab these homes.

The Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) will provide nearly $3,500,000 in financing to the project, the City of Madison will invest nearly $200,000 to help further bring down the cost to families, and Wells Fargo Bank will provide the remaining $1,500,000 in financing.

“WHEDA is excited to team up with the Urban League of Greater Madison, the National Community Investment Fund, City of Madison and Wells Fargo on this innovative path forward to finance affordable homeownership here in Madison,” said WHEDA CEO Joaquín Altoro. “WHEDA previously partnered with the Urban League and City of Madison to launch a ground-breaking program supported by Low Income Housing Tax (LIHTC) credits that enabled some 50 families earning below 60% of the area median income to transition from renting to homeownership while building more than $2.5 million in equity. This new collaboration goes one step further by providing hardworking families with the opportunity to move directly into these refurbished homes as owners. We look forward to the potential of extending this model – and its associated revitalization benefits – to other Wisconsin communities.”

The City of Madison will provide some additional critical funding to help bring down the final cost for the home buyer. “The City is proud to expand our multi-faceted partnership with the Urban League,” said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “We invest in the Urban League’s academic and career development programming for youth, we invest in the Urban League’s job training for adults, and the next logical extension of this partnership is to support the long-term family stability that comes through homeownership.”

The City’s investment in the project will come through TIF financing focused on development in the Park Street corridor. “This partnership also contributes to our goal of preventing gentrification and displacement as South Madison undergoes rapid re-development,” said Rhodes-Conway.

The Urban League of Greater Madison is also excited that the project includes a brand new partnership with Wells Fargo. Senior VP and Northeast Deal Team Manager, Scott Pinover, noted that “Wells Fargo is proud to be part of this impactful home ownership program. Home ownership is the largest source of wealth for most citizens of the United States, yet many African-American residents of the Madison area have not been able to participate in this wealth builder, as demonstrated by the current average homeownership rate of 17% among the African-American community. The Urban League’s homeownership initiative will guide low income minority families through the home purchase and ownership process, ultimately enabling these families to build wealth and stability, lifting these families out of poverty. Wells Fargo looks forward to helping make a difference through this great initiative.”

“This project will have an impact far beyond the 15 to 17 homes that will be re-developed,” said Anthony. “ULGM will be filling a void for a culturally competent homeownership counseling and training program in the region where currently only one certified HUD-homeownership agency exists. We’ll also be adding to our housing development infrastructure so that we are prepared to deliver more units of affordable housing in the future to help address the crisis of homeownership disparities and the shortage of affordable rental properties in our community.”

Other partners, which have played a crucial role in bringing this project from vision to fruition include:

· Hope Community Capital, which provided technical expertise to guide the Urban League through the intricacies of New Markets Tax Credit financing.

· Johnson Bank which is providing interim financing to allow ULGM to acquire homes prior to the availability of the NMTC funds.

· 3BK Indoor and Outdoor Renovations, Aldo Designs, and Restoration Brothers which will handle some of the renovation work.

· 40 Acre Realty and Capital Real Estate which have been helping with the search for eligible, affordable homes.

· Dozens of others, including the ULGM’s 2.0 Committee which have provided extensive expertise and guidance in program design.

Anthony also noted that “ULGM is still calling on others in the community to help make this project a success. We need to identify more affordable homes to purchase – especially in South Madison; we’re seeking discounted and in-kind supplies and materials to help keep costs down so that homes are as affordable as possible; and, of course, we’re looking for families motivated to become home owners. Contact us if you can help!”

• Inventory gains of $3.38 million
• Income gains of $11.29 million
• Wage and Productivity gain of $4.18 million
• Other Financial Impacts $7.2 million 

Results can be found at uwosh.edu/ccrs/covid-19-survey.