Contact:
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608/267-9661
MADISON – Gov. Jim Doyle today announced that two Wisconsin businesses will
share $65,000 in loans from the Department of Commerce Milk Volume
Production (MVP) – Rural Economic Development (RED) Programs. The loans
were made at the RED Board meeting held Dec. 15 in Madison.
“My Grow Wisconsin plan calls for investing in our agricultural industry to
improve prospects for future growth and development,” said Gov. Doyle. “By
providing low-interest loans to dairy producers seeking to expand their milk
production capacity, we help Wisconsin cheesemakers have a supply of
high-quality Wisconsin milk that will allow them to continue to meet the
demands of the cheese market.”
The following summarizes the successful proposals:
Latham Farm, LLP, Boscobel, Grant County, $40,000 MVP-RED loan
Latham Farm, LLP currently milks 380 cows. It is investing $58,000 to
modernize its dairy operation by purchasing new equipment. Latham Farm will
use the loan to purchase 80 cows. The project will leverage $130,000 in
private investment.
Daniel J. Gullicksrud, Strum, Trempealeau County, $25,000 MVP-RED loan
Daniel Gullicksrud currently milks 179 cows and farms 490 acres. He is
investing $15,000 to expand his dairy operation and will use the loan to
purchase 50 cows. The project will leverage $85,000 in private investment.
All Wisconsin dairy producers, both existing and start-up, are eligible to
apply for the MVP Program. Awards are made on a competitive basis. The RED
Program, administered by Commerce, helps small rural businesses start-up and
expand their operations. For further information about either program,
contact Jamie Wall, Commerce, at 608/267-0770.
