For Immediate Release
City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division Publishes 35-Year Loan Program Insights Report
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division has published a comprehensive Loan Program Insights Report (1991-2025), offering a 35-year analysis of the City’s business lending programs and their long-term performance.
The report reviews lending activity since the establishment of the Loan Administration Board in 1991 and evaluates trends in loan volume, sector distribution, geographic reach, borrower outcomes, risk exposure, and private investment leveraged through City participation. Over that period, the City issued 181 loans totaling approximately $10.9 million, supporting businesses across manufacturing, healthcare, retail, hospitality, professional services, and other sectors.
Nationally, public revolving loan funds (RLF) often generate between $4 and $10 in private investment for every public dollar loaned. Eau Claire’s portfolio is averaging just over six-to-one, with the primary RLF closer to eight-to-one—placing the City’s programs within, and in some cases above, typical national benchmarks.
“For more than three decades, these loan programs have supported nearly 200 local businesses and have helped unlock millions in private investment,” says Kendall Williams with the Economic Development Division and current City staff facilitator of the Loan Administration Board. “Looking at the full 35-year history shows that these tools have evolved with the Eau Claire economy, while becoming a vital catalyst for business growth and reinvestment across the community.”
Key Findings from the 35-Year Analysis
The report identifies several notable patterns:
- A Shift Toward Smaller, More Diversified Loans: Early lending in the 1990s focused heavily on large manufacturing and industrial projects. In recent years, loan sizes have decreased and sector representation has broadened, reflecting a more entrepreneurial and service-oriented economy.
- Strong Capital Preservation: Across more than three decades, only three confirmed loan write-offs were identified, totaling approximately $51,500, representing less than 1% of all loan dollars issued.
- High Private Investment Leverage: Over the last decade of tracked data, City loans were paired with approximately $18.5 million in private investment on $3 million in City lending, producing an average multiplier of approximately 6.2:1.
- Rising Demand in the 2020s: Annual loan activity has increased in recent years, with 2023-2025 representing some of the strongest lending volumes since the early 1990s.
- Improved Survival in Modern Loans: Loans issued after 2010 demonstrate significantly higher business survival rates compared to early-era awards, reflecting smaller loan sizes, diversified sectors, refined underwriting, and a maturing local economy.
Informing Future Program Discussions
The report was presented to the City’s Loan Administration Board for review and discussion at their February 2026 meeting. Its purpose is to provide historical context and data-driven insights that can inform future decisions regarding program structure, capital capacity, and alignment with current economic development priorities.
“The City’s Loan Administration Board members have provided steady volunteer oversight and guidance for more than three decades,” Williams says. “This report reflects their long-standing commitment to thoughtful lending and responsible risk management, as well as their focus on ensuring these programs remain sustainable tools for Eau Claire’s business community. Now the Board has clear, verified data to guide future program decisions and strengthen the City’s position when pursuing additional funding opportunities.”
The complete Loan Program Insights Report (1991–2025), as well as overviews of each of the City’s business loan programs, are available online on the Economic Development Division’s website: eauclairedevelopment.com/financing/loan-programs
For media inquiries or more information, please contact:
Kendall Williams
Economic Development Division
City of Eau Claire
(715) 839-4914
kendall.williams@eauclairewi.gov
About the City of Eau Claire
The City of Eau Claire, located in west-central Wisconsin, is committed to fostering a thriving economic environment that supports businesses of all sizes, promotes job growth, and enhances the quality of life for its residents.