Finance & Incentive Programs

Tailored Opportunities

The Center for Growth is here to help your business access capital to support your growth. We work with your business to develop financial packages tailored to the needs of your project, from Main Street retail to the largest corporate office and industrial projects.

We have a gap financing tool, the GROW Fund, to assist businesses and workforce housing projects. Additionally, we can help you navigate local, state, and federal loan and incentive programs to meet your needs. We can also introduce your business to our robust network of banking and finance partners.

GROW Fund

Exceeding $11 million, the GROW Fund is a revolving loan fund supporting business expansion and workforce housing in Waukesha County.

The GROW Fund, established by the Waukesha County Center for Growth, provides businesses with access to financial resources while enabling participating banks to meet federal lending and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements. The fund supports the retention, and expansion of businesses; encourages development that fosters job creation and retention; and promotes opportunities that drive regional economic growth.

The GROW Fund seeks to compliment lead lenders and other programs in a total financial structure, sharing the risk with all participants in the project. The fund offers:

  • Competitive interest rates
  • Fixed rate availability
  • Flexible amortization to match project terms
  • Gap financing during construction, expansion or on equipment
Contact Our Team to Access the GROW Fund
Information for Businesses
Information For Developers

GROW Fund Contributors

Managed by the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI,) the GROW Fund is supported by Waukesha County, Bank Five Nine, BMO Harris Bank, Johnson Bank, Town Bank, First Federal Bank, and the We Energies Foundation.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Center for Growth enables contributors to receive tax benefits, while bank investments in the GROW Fund may meet Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements by directly supporting local business expansion and attainable housing development. The fund operates as a revolving financing tool, providing sustainable support for business growth, workforce housing, and community vitality.

Waukesha County
Bank-Five-Nine
BMO-Harris-Bank
Johnson-Bank
Town-Bank
first_federal_bank_of_wisconsin_logo
We Energies Foundation

State Incentives

Through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), Wisconsin offers a range of programs that provide financial and technical assistance to companies looking to start and grow their operations in the state. 

  • Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit - This credit is available to individuals and entities for income derived from manufacturing or agricultural property located in Wisconsin and will offset a significant share of Wisconsin income taxes. The credit amounts to 7.5 percent of “eligible qualified production activities income,” resulting in an effective corporate tax rate of 0.4 percent.
  • Business Development Tax Credits - These credits are available for businesses planning to move to and hire workers in Wisconsin. The credits are based on the creation or retention of full-time jobs, depending upon the wage range and number of jobs to be created.
  • Training Grants - Grants are available to businesses that want to upgrade or improve the job-related skills of their full-time employees.
Learn More About Programs & Incentives Available Through the State

Interested in being a contributing partner to the GROW Fund?

Contact Us