Program encourages entrepreneurs, provides training
By Robert Cloud
Jesse Cuff, director of the Waupaca County Veterans Service Office, said his office is currently recruiting veterans for $5,000 business grants.
Cuff spoke at the Nov. 29 meeting of New London’s Economic Development Committee.
He said the Waupaca county Board designated $150,000 of the American Rescue Plan Act funds for grants to businesses owned by veterans and their spouses.
Participants who are accepted into the program will receive a $5,000 business grant after they complete an entrepreneurial training program (ETP) run by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
To complete the program, a veteran will need to spend three hours per week for nine weeks learning basics about running a business.
SBDC will offer the training program four times over the next two years. Each class will be its own cohort.
“Being in a cohort with other veteran and veteran spouse entrepreneurs for the ETP program will be such a unique opportunity for the participants,” according to Patrick Gatterman, director of SBDC at UW-Stevens Point. “Being surrounded by people who have had similar experiences as you will provide additional value to the already highly valuable content that our program has.”
Classes offered on Zoom
The classes will be offered on Zoom, which gives participants an opportunity to interact and network with other members of their cohort.
Cuff noted that participants will have different levels of business experience that they can share with each other during the classes.
“After successfully completing the program, they are awarded a $5,000 grant to start or grow their business,” Cuff said.
The first cohort will begin in February 2023.
Eligible applicants must be a current service member, honorably discharged veteran or current/surviving spouse of a veteran; be a current resident of or owner of a business located in Waupaca County; and complete an online application.
Go online to bit.ly/WaupacaVET-GP to learn more about the program and apply.
Cuff said he would assist any veteran who needs help with the form.
New London Mayor Mark Herter said he checked out the form and found it to be easy to fill out.
The county VSO is managing the program with the Waupaca County Economic Development Corporation and the SBDC.