Vernon County encourages small businesses to apply for their new ‘Elevate Vernon’ grant by July 15

July 3, 2025

VERNON COUNTY, Wis. – Back in May, the Vernon County Community Development Department announced the launch of a new grant program designed to support the growth and development of small businesses throughout the county. The program, called Elevate Vernon, will provide grants to help local businesses start, revitalize, grow, or plan for succession. With a focus on enhancing business operations and market presence, supporting upgrades and technology advancements, and increasing capacity and resilience, the program aims to offer both financial support and technical assistance to small businesses in Vernon County.

Eligible small businesses can apply for funding to improve operations, expand services, increase market reach, or launch new initiatives that support business growth or stability. The program is open to for-profit businesses of all types, including cooperatives, with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent employees located in Vernon County.  Grants range up to $10,000 and require a 10 % cash match or a commitment to up to 20 hours of technical assistance to improve business skills and knowledge.  

“This program was designed to help small businesses and entrepreneurs of all types, not only to help finance upgrades and improvements, but also to help business owners invest the time to working on their business, not just in it,” said Larkin Breckel, Vernon County Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator. “The pairing of the technical assistance option with the financial support aims to strengthen the businesses and entrepreneurs of Vernon County now and in the long term.”

Applications are available on the Vernon County website, and all applications must be submitted by July 15 at 4:00 pm. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions no later than September 12, 2025.  Paper copies of the application are available by request and need to be mailed or returned to the Vernon County Community Development Department by the July 15 deadline. 

The Elevate Vernon Grant is made possible through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC’s) Small Business Development Grant (SBDG) Program.  The program offers financial incentives for communities and economic development partners to develop innovative programs that directly support small businesses and small business creation. Vernon County applied for the SBDG program in the fall of 2024, and was awarded $150,000 for the Elevate Vernon project earlier in the year.

“Elevate Vernon is the next step in Vernon County’s ever-growing commitment to local entrepreneurs,” said Cassandra Hanan, Vernon County Administrative Coordinator.  “This funding will be instrumental to strengthening businesses across the County. Strong rural communities are built on thriving small businesses, and this funding will provide the tools and resources to ensure their success, both now and into the future. These grants will help grow the local economy and support sustainability County-wide.”

Vernon County business owners and entrepreneurs can learn more about the program, find a FAQ page, and access the application packet at https://www.vernoncountywi.gov/departments/community_development/elevate_vernon_grant.php. 

For assistance, please contact the Vernon County Community Development Department: larkin.breckel@vernoncountywi.gov or (608)637-5334.

We encourage all eligible small businesses to apply and take advantage of this unique opportunity to start, grow, and plan for the future.

This grant is another step in Vernon County’s ongoing efforts to support local communities, businesses and entrepreneurs, and ensure a thriving, stable economy for years to come.