Innovation and Startups

Business Planning: Whether you are looking to start a new business or are expanding your current business, developing a business plan is widely considered best practice. To learn more and get started, see our community resources, below.  

UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)

Couleeecap Job and Business Development

Western Technical College Business Specialist Technical Diploma

SCORE West Central WI and UP Chapter

WEDC SIZEUPWI

Funding Resources: Here in the Coulee Region there are plenty of funding opportunities for your business. Below is a list of organizations who can help guide you through this process. Many of our local banks and credit unions are also small business lenders.

City of La Crosse

La Crosse County

Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC)

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)

UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – to guide you through all forms of SBA financing

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

Grow: One of the best ways to grow your company is to establish relationships with other local businesses and community members. A way to do this is by joining one or more of our community organizations who have members representing all industry sectors. If you would like to join an organization, but do not know which is best for you, please reach out to Sam Bachmeier, Community Development Specialist with La Crosse County. [email protected] or (608) 785-5792.

La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce

La Crosse Area Development Corporation (LADCO)

The 7 Rivers Alliance

Explore La Crosse (La Crosse County Conventions and Visitors Bureau)

Rotary Clubs of the La Crosse – contact Sam Bachmeier to learn more

North La Crosse Business Association (NLBA)

Onalaska Area Business Association (OABA)

Holmen Business Association (HBA)

West Salem Business Association (WSBA)

The Upper Mississippi Manufacturing Alliance (TUMMA)

Locate: Location, location, location. As cliché as it sounds, the time-tested motto stands true. Need help finding the right site for your business? See the resources, below.

LADCO

Couleecap Business Retail Incubator

Coulee Region Business Center (CRBC)

Work with La Crosse County, contact Sam Bachmeier at [email protected] or (608) 785-5792.