Revolving Loan Fund Programs

There are six Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Programs within Ozaukee County. These programs were established to create employment opportunities, encourage private investment and provide a financing alternative for existing businesses or new businesses. The RLF programs offer interest rates and loan maturities that are designed to encourage business development, while providing for recapitalization and growth of the RLF.

More information on the programs is available below. Each program is designed to serve its specific area:
For more information on any of these programs, contact Kathleen Cady Schilling at 262-238-7730.

Local Incentives

Several Communities within Ozaukee County have local incentives for specific areas within their communities.

City of Cedarburg

The City of Cedarburg has an Economic Development Loan Program that provides low cost loans for start-up costs for new businesses and expansion for existing businesses located in the city. Contact Mary Sheffield (Economic Development Coordinator, City of Cedarburg) for application questions: 262-387-2050 or msheffield@ci.cedarburg.wi.us.

Town of Cedarburg

The Town of Cedarburg offers a Business Development Loan program, a partnership between the Town and Port Washington State Bank (PWSB) to assist local businesses. The loan pool established by PWSB is $250,000; minimum loan amount may not be less than $5,000 and the maximum loan may not be greater than $50,000. Eligible loan activities include the acquisition and/or the improvement of land/buildings, facilities and equipment including new construction or renovation, demolition and site preparation. To learn more about the loan program, contact Tim Rhode at 262-377-4509 or trhode@town.cedarburg.wi.us.

Village of Grafton

The Village of Grafton through their Downtown Tax Incremental Financing District has a variety of incentives including a façade and sign grant program available. The Village also offers a property write-down for its industrial park. For more information, please contact Jessica Wolff at 262-375-5303 or jwolff@village.grafton.wi.us.

City of Mequon

The City of Mequon offers a revolving loan fund designed to provide low cost loans for start-up costs for new businesses or firms and expansion costs for existing businesses located in the Town Center of the City of Mequon, Wisconsin. Applications are available directly from the City of Mequon, Kim Tollefson, Community Development Director at 262-236-2903 or ktollefson@ci.mequon.wi.us.

City of Port Washington

The City of Port Washington has a Main Street Loan Development Program. Applications will be confidentially reviewed by the Port Washington Main Street Loan Program Committee. Loan approval generally takes 15 days once your application pack is submitted. Contact Port Washington Main Street Inc. for application questions: 262-268-1132 or pwmsdirector@gmail.com.

Village of Saukville

The Village of Saukville offers incentives via below-market land prices on acreage ready for development. Additional discounts on direct purchase land sales within its industrial and business parks may be available. All available parcels greater than two acres may be divided to suit. For more information, please contact Marilyn Haroldson at 262-284-9423 or at comdev@village.saukville.wi.us.

Village of Thiensville

The Village of Thiensville has an Economic Development Loan Program established to help revitalization efforts, increase capital investments, provide support for new and existing businesses in Thiensville and further the goals and objectives of the Village Board. For further information contact Dianne Robertson at 262-242-3720 or drobertson@village.thiensville.wi.us.
For more information from other OED communities:
City of Mequon – Contact Kim Tollefson at 262-236-2902
City of Cedarburg – Contact Mary Sheffield at 262-387-2050
City of Port Washington - Contact Randy Tetzlaff at 262-284-2600
Village of Belgium - Contact Kaity Olsen at 262-285-7931
Village of Fredonia - Contact Sandra Tretow at 262-692-2883
Village of Thiensville - Contact Dianne Robertson at 262-242-3720
Town of Port Washington – Contact the town at 262-284-5235
Town of Fredonia – Contact Janis Stemper at 262-692-9673
Town of Grafton – Contact Amanda Schaefer at 262-377-8500

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

WEDC nurtures business growth and job creation in Wisconsin by providing resources, technical support, and financial assistance to companies, partners and the communities they serve. WEDC has key areas of focus to elevate Wisconsin's economy to be the best in the world:
  • Supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem
  • Accelerating business growth
  • Expanding global opportunities
  • Attracting new businesses
  • Advancing industry development
  • Developing thriving communities

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA provides loan guarantees that are used in conjunction with bank financing to improve loan terms. The SBA can provide information on authorized micro-lenders that make loans of $25,000 or less, small business investment companies and certified development corporations that make fixed rate, long-term loans for the acquisition of business assets.