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City of Madison

City of Madison’s Economic Development Division celebrates Small Business Week 2024

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Small, locally-owned businesses are what define the identity and character of the communities they serve. That’s why the City of Madison’s Economic Development Division is taking a moment as part of National Small Business Week 2024, which runs from April 28 – May 4, to celebrate all of the small business owners who are chasing their dreams and make Madison such a special city.

Owning a small business can be difficult, which is why the City of Madison’s Office of Business Resources offers several programs to make sure local business owners have what they need to get started, innovate, and thrive.

Madison is home to so many different types of small businesses and they all help make our City a great place to live and work.

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City of Madison Office of Business Resources Manager Saran Ouk

In 2023, the City’s Office of Business Resources received more than 500 contacts from local businesses requesting information, resources, or financial assistance. Last year, 25 small businesses received a total of $1.6 million in financial assistance from the City of Madison.

The ways the Office of Business Resources helps support local business owners include:

  • Directing businesses to a variety of financial and technical assistance programs available through the City of Madison and other sources
  • Guiding business owners through the City’s permitting and approval processes
  • Making sure there is enough space for business development by participating in the City’s land use planning efforts
  • Maintaining and providing demographic and community information to businesses so they can better understand their clientele
  • Serving as the link to several business and economic development organizations, including the Madison Central Business Improvement District, Downtown Madison Inc., the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, THRIVE, and many other neighborhood business or merchant associations

Business owners can learn more about the resources and support the City of Madison can provide on the Office of Business Resources’ website.

Additionally, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is offering a free weeklong Small Business Academy during Small Business Week, including workshops covering topics like financing, legal concerns, regulatory issues, small business certifications, and more. In addition to an in-person event on Tuesday, April 30, a series of virtual events are also being offered from Wednesday, May 1 to Friday, May 3. You can learn more about the events being offered and register on WEDC’s website.

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