Dept. of Commerce: Governor Doyle Announces Early Planning Grants

Contact:
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608/267-9661

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that 10 Wisconsin businesses will share $29,300 in funding from the Department of Commerce Early Planning Grant (EPG) and Business Employees Skills Training (BEST) programs.

“My ‘Grow Wisconsin’ initiative works to foster entrepreneurial growth by helping to turn great ideas into job-creating businesses,” Governor Doyle said. “These grants will help entrepreneurs and small businesses obtain professional business plans that will help get their ideas to market.”

The projects are as follows:

· William J. Powel-Smith, Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County, $3,000 EPG grant

· Healthy Treats, Inc., Manitowoc, Manitowoc county, $3,000 EGP grant

· Service Container Company, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, $2,600 BEST grant

· PolyOptic Technologies, Inc., Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, $2,700 EPG grant

· Fontarome Chemical, Inc., Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, $3,000 EPG grant

· Big Chain, Inc., Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, $3,000 EPG grant

· Laura W. Roberts, Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, $3,000 EPG grant

· Senteras LLC, Appleton, Outagamie County, $3,000 EPG grant

· Matt Ehlen, New London, Shawano County, $3,000 EPG grant

· Vector Surgical, LLC, Oconomowoc, Waukesha County, $3,000 EPG grant

Entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Wisconsin can access early planning grants to assist them in obtaining the professional services necessary to evaluate the feasibility of a proposed start-up or expansion project. Specific allocations have been set aside for dairy farmers, rural businesses or members of minority groups. For further information about this program, contact the Commerce area development manager in your region at http://commerce.wi.gov/BD/MT-FAX-0901.html