Business Assistance

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Financial Incentives

The City Of Onalaska will assist in anyway possible to help you find a strategic development package that fits your needs. If you have a project that needs funding and would like assistance, please contact Jason Gilman in the City Planning Department at (608) 781-9590 or email at

Other Financial Incentives for Development include:

• Lender Commitment Program--Area banks have collaborated to offer investors low-interest loans for building improvements in Onalaska's downtown redevelopment area. Loans of up to $25,000.00 can be applied for a 1%+ prime for qualified projects. The following are participating financial institutions: M & I Bank, Wells Fargo, Community Credit Union, and State Bank of La Crosse.
  
  
• Tax Incremental Financing (TIF)--The City of Onalaska has successfully utilized tax incremental financing in several areas. The recently closed TIF district encompass' the State Highway 16/Interstate 90 economic development area and has funded many infrastructure and beautification projects throughout the district. Private investment in the district has exceeded 73 million dollars. The district boasts some of the most sought-after real estate in the region, with visibility and access to the Interstate 90 corridor.
  
  
• Community Development Block Grants--The City of Onalaska, in cooperation with the State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce, has successfully implemented several community development block grants for infrastructure necessary for new development. Past projects have included major roadway construction projects and utility needs, and the development of a parking structure on the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Campus.

The following agencies can provide additional information and assistance when starting or expanding a business in Onalaska.

LADCO - La Crosse Area Development Corporation
712 Main Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
http://www.ladcoweb.org/
Phone (608) 784-5488
Fax (608) 785-9934

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Business Development Center
http://perth.uwlax.edu/bdc/
Phone (608) 785-8782
Fax (608) 785-6919

Wisconsin Department of Commerce
http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/

Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission
1707 Main Street
Suite 240
La Crosse, WI 54601
e-mail: plan@mrrpc.com
Phone (608) 785-9396
Fax (608) 785-9394