Small businesses across Wisconsin now have access to free expert support, training, and consulting—thanks to a new statewide initiative from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Universities of Wisconsin’s Office for Business and Entrepreneurship.

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Through the Main Street Bounceback Technical Assistance and Training Program, any Wisconsin-based business with fewer than 500 employees can receive guidance on everything from marketing and HR to financial planning and operations. Services that would typically cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars are now offered at no cost.

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This initiative builds on the success of the earlier Main Street Bounceback (MSBB) Grants, which helped nearly 9,400 businesses grow or expand into new storefronts. Now, free resources are available to all small businesses, regardless of whether they received a grant.

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What’s included:

• One-on-one consulting and mentoring, available both in-person and virtually through the statewide Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network

• Specialized clinics on topics like digital marketing and rural business development

• Live training events covering leadership, sales, communication, and more

• “How-to” videos (available in English, Spanish, and Hmong), including 10 brand-new videos designed for this program

 

“Strong communities are the key to a strong economy in Wisconsin, and small businesses are at the center of strong communities,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “These resources are critical to the long-term success, viability, and resilience of our state’s small businesses.”

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Wisconsin is home to over 480,000 small businesses, which represent 99% of all businesses in the state and nearly half of the workforce. With the support of this new program, those businesses now have greater access to tools and expertise that can help them grow and thrive.