Links to Business Assistance and Economic Development Organizations

• Forward Wisconsin is the state's lead external marketing organization and initial contact point  for businesses from outside Wisconsin that are interested in expanding or relocating to the state.  See About Forward Wisconsin on this Web site. 
• The Wisconsin Department of Commerce is the lead state agency for firms already located in Wisconsin that are considering expansion or seeking business assistance.  Access their full array of services at Department of Commerce or contact the Area Development Manager in your geographic area who can provide customized services.
• County and Local Economic Development Organizations are located throughout the state and offer hands-on business start-up, expansion, recruitment and financial assistance.  Find out how to contact the groups serving your area with this county-by-county list of Local Development Organizations.
• Wisconsin Chambers of Commerce work hand-in-hand with local businesses to help them grow and prosper.  Here is a complete alphabetical list of Wisconsin Chambers of Commerce.
• The mission of the  UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations is to "serve the increasingly complex needs of the business community and help build a stronger Wisconsin economy in the 21st Century."  Through the office, businesses can learn about technology licensing opportunities, continuing education and professional development, recruitment of graduates and interns, entrepreneurship resources and more. Go to Office of Corporate Relations.
• The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to expanding the state's economy.  Find out about their leadership and legislative initiatives and access the organization's entire 400+ membership list at WEDA.
• Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) is a 10-state organization whose mission is to enhance economic developer's knowledge, capabilities and opportunities through regional networking and cooperation. Visit their site at MAEDC.
• International Economic Development Council is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping economic developers do their job more effectively and raising the profile of the profession. Go to IEDC Web site.
• Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)  offers innovative products and services in partnership with others to link Wisconsin residents and communities with affordable housing and economic development opportunities. Visit WHEDA's Web site.

• The Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) is an economic development corporation providing quality business education and access to capital for entrepreneurs. Established in 1989, WWBIC consults, educates and mentors owners of small and micro businesses throughout Wisconsin. View the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation Fact Sheet (pdf).Visit their site at WWBIC.

• The Urban Economic Development Association (UEDA) supports housing and economic development initiatives that revitalize Wisconsin communities. They build capacity in the housing and economic development field through professional training, innovative solutions, policy advocacy and collaboration. Visit UEDA online.
• The Center on Wisconsin Strategy ( COWS ) promotes research, policy analysis, and field experiments and demonstration projects in "high road" (high wage/productivity/profits, low waste, democratically accountable) economic growth and government. Based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, COWS is an example of the Wisconsin Idea in action - the idea that the University should serve the broader public good and go beyond its boundaries in doing so. In Wisconsin and beyond, COWS works with business, labor, civil society, and government to further the goals of shared sustainable prosperity and effective and efficient democratic government.