PLOVER, Wis. (WSAU) — State officials were able to tour some successful central Wisconsin businesses that have taken advantage of the Job and Business Development Grant program. Dave Anderson is the Assistant Deputy Secretary at the Department of Workforce Development, and he was able to see how the local program administered by Cap Services has helped small businesses grow.
Anderson says the program is one of many handled by the sixteen regional Wisconsin Community Action Program Association units which has helped many different types of businesses grow and hire. “It really is kind of a micro-lending program, and we’re really visiting an interesting mixture of businesses like car shops, dog grooming, micro breweries, and even a food truck.”
Anderson says programs like the Job and Business Development Grant program are often used in conjunction with other initiatives and private lenders to grow small businesses. “It’s really amazing, and what I’m really impressed with is the fact that these are small businesses that in many of the examples that we’ve experienced, there have been a number of folks that have been hired, and that’s what it’s all about.”
The state officials toured Our Chop Shop Barber Shop and O’so Brewing in Plover, Central Waters Brewing Company in Amherst, and the Tortuga Express Food Truck from Custer.
Anderson says people looking for work or posting open positions should always check the Job Center of Wisconsin website first. He says it’s always being updated, and the site itself is preparing for a big improvement later this year. “We are in the process of revamping that. We’re on track to roll out a new, revamped Job Service Wisconsin (website) later this year, which is really going to make it much easier for those looking for work to connect with employers who are looking to hire.”
There’s over 81,000 job openings posted on the site now.
