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Expand a Business

Expanding your business in Eau Claire, Wisconsin offers numerous advantages that can significantly enhance your growth prospects beyond the Chippewa Valley. From incentives and financing programs to a variety of real estate options, workforce development initiatives, and skilled construction professionals, the city is primed to help get your expansion project off the ground quickly.

Business Expansion Incentives

Eau Claire offers various economic development programs, grants, and tax incentives to support the expansion of existing businesses in the area.

Supportive Business Community

Eau Claire is home to many partners that offer support and guidance to businesses and host networking events where professionals can make new connections.

Competitive Real Estate Prices

Eau Claire has four business parks and a myriad of commercial real estate properties that make expanding an existing business to a larger location a faster process.

Workforce Development Programs

Several local organizations champion workforce development initiatives that ensure Eau Claire businesses have access to skilled labor tailored to their specific needs.

Multiple Funding Options

The City of Eau Claire and several other economic development partners offer financing opportunities that can aid in the expansion of local businesses. 

Skilled Contractors

Business owners looking to expand can find many award-winning construction companies, contractors, and utility providers in Eau Claire to help them move their projects forward.

Prepare to Expand

There are many resources available to entrepreneurs in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that can help with the careful planning and strategic execution it takes to ensure success when expanding a business. These key steps will guide you through the process.

Step #1: Conduct Market Research

If you’re considering expanding your business, the first step is to conduct market research to understand the demand for your products or services in Eau Claire. You’ll also want to analyze demographic data, consumer behavior, competition, and economic trends to assess the viability of expanding in our market.

Resources

Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation
Offers business idea development and market research assistance for entrepreneurs
Visit Website

UW-Eau Claire Small Business Development Center
Offers consulting and market research resources for businesses
Visit Website

Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council
Offers counseling and education opportunities for businesses
Visit Website

SCORE, West Central Wisconsin
Offers free mentoring by volunteer professionals for businesses
Visit Website

U.S. Small Business Administration, Wisconsin District
Offers counseling and connections to local resources for businesses
Visit Website

Step #2: Develop Your Growth Strategy

Next, you’ll need to define your expansion goals and objectives, whether it’s increasing market share, expanding product lines, entering new market segments, or opening additional locations. This will help you develop a comprehensive growth strategy that outlines the steps, timelines, and resources needed to achieve your expansion goals.

Resources

Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation
Offers business idea development and growth strategy assistance for entrepreneurs
Visit Website

UW-Eau Claire Small Business Development Center
Offers consulting and expansion resources for businesses
Visit Website

Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council
Offers counseling and education opportunities for businesses
Visit Website

SCORE, West Central Wisconsin
Offers free mentoring by volunteer professionals for businesses
Visit Website

U.S. Small Business Administration, Wisconsin District
Offers counseling and connections to local resources for businesses
Visit Website

Step #3: Secure Financing

Once you know how you’ll grow your business, you’ll need to assess your financial capacity. If additional funding is required, you can explore financing options such as business loans, lines of credit, venture capital, or grants available through local partners. Then you’ll need to develop a detailed financial plan that includes budgeting, revenue projections, and return on investment (ROI) analysis to apply.

Loans

Commercial Bank Loans
Offers multiple funding opportunities for businesses
Find a Bank

City of Eau Claire Loan Programs
Offers multiple low-interest funding opportunities for businesses in Eau Claire city limits
Visit Website

Regional Business Fund Loan Programs
Offers multiple funding opportunities for businesses in West Central Wisconsin
Visit Website

Grants

WEDC Grant Programs
Offers funding, resources, programs, and training for businesses in Wisconsin
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Red Letter Grant
Offers funding for women-owned businesses in Western Wisconsin
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Jump-Start Downtown Business Grant Competition
Offers funding for startups in downtown Eau Claire
Visit Website

Downtown Enhancement Grant
Offers façade improvement funding for businesses in downtown Eau Claire
Visit Website

Step #4: Select Your Location

During the financial planning process, you’ll also want to evaluate potential locations for expanding your business. Our economic development division, along with area real estate agents and property management companies, can help you find suitable commercial real estate options that meet your needs and align with your growth strategy.

Resources

Commercial Realtors
Offers property search assistance to businesses
Find a Realtor

Property Search Tool
Offers the latest commercial property listings for rent and sale
Visit Website

LoopNet Commercial Property Listings
Offers the latest commercial property listings for sale
View Listings

Coven Eau Claire
Offers an affordable co-working space for entrepreneurs
Visit Website

Step #5: Obtain Licenses & Permits

When you’ve selected a location, you’ll need to work with your contractors to ensure compliance with local zoning regulations, building codes, and permitting requirements. This involves obtaining any necessary permits or approvals from the city and other regulatory agencies before initiating construction or renovation.

Resources

Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Oversees business taxes and licensing for the state of Wisconsin
Visit Website

U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Distributes Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) and oversees business taxes for the nation
Visit Website

Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Maintains business and organization filings for the state of Wisconsin
Visit Website

City of Eau Claire Licensing Division
Facilitates business licensing and inspections for the city
Visit Website

Eau Claire City-County Health Department
Assists with inspections and licensing for food and beverage-based businesses in the city
Visit Website

Step #6: Transfer or Hire Employees

While your building is being constructed or renovated, you’ll need to assess your workforce needs for the expanded operation and develop a recruitment strategy to attract and retain talent. This can be done by exploring workforce development programs, training resources, and partnerships with educational institutions to build a skilled workforce that supports your objectives.

Resources

Workforce Resource
Offers job training and placement services for individuals seeking employment in various industries
Visit Website

Job Centers of Wisconsin
Offers job search assistance, career planning resources, and access to unemployment benefits and other support services
Visit Website

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Offers workforce resources and programs including apprenticeships, job training grants, and unemployment insurance
Visit Website

Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce
Offers networking events, business workshops, and resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses
Visit Website

UW-Eau Claire
Offers career counseling services, internship programs, and networking events for students and alumni
Visit Website

Chippewa Valley Technical College
Offers career counseling services, job placement assistance, and support for continuing education and lifelong learning
Visit Website

Staffing Agencies
Offer workforce staffing assistance for businesses
Find an Agency

Step #6: Promote Your Expanded Business

The final step is to develop a marketing plan that will help raise awareness of your new location or expanded offerings once you’re ready to open. You can utilize various traditional channels such as advertising, social media, and email marketing, and you can also reach out to the chamber of commerce to schedule a ribbon-cutting to help generate interest.

Resources

City of Eau Claire Recreation Division
Offers sponsorship and advertising opportunities for businesses
Visit Website

Volume One Magazine
Offers print and digital marketing opportunities for businesses
Visit Website

Leader-Telegram
Offers print and digital advertising opportunities for businesses
Visit Website

WEAU Marketing
Offers broadcasting and other digital advertising solutions for businesses
Visit Website

WQOW
Offers broadcasting and other digital advertising solutions for businesses
Visit Website

Mid-West Family Broadcasting
Offers radio and digital marketing solutions for businesses
Visit Website

Marketing Agencies
Offers marketing and promotion assistance to businesses
Find an Agency