OFFICE OF BUSINESS RESOURCES

NEW FUNDING PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESSES

• America's Recovery Capital (ARC) Loan Program - Deferred Payment Loans up to $35,000 from the SBA (PDF)
• Next Generation Manufacturing Grant Program - Grants up to $6,500 for Lean Transformation or Business Growth Initiatives (PDF)
  

MADISON SMALL BUSINESS IN CHANGING TIMES CONFERENCE

The Madison Small Business in Changing Times Conference was held on May 12, 2009 at Monona Terrace. Conference topics included:

• How to Build and Sustain a “Green” Business
• Adjusting Operations to the New Economic Climate
• Financing Challenges and Opportunities in Today’s Economy
• High Impact Entrepreneurship: Expanding the Local Business Model

Please visit the conference website for conference proceedings.

2009 ROAD CONSTRUCTION

The City of Madison maintains a useful Road Works website to provide information about current and upcoming road construction projects.

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Small Business Advisory Council (SBAC), along with the City of Madison, recently released a Road Construction Survival Guide (PDF) to provide useful advice to businesses experiencing road construction.

MADISON'S MPOWER BUSINESS CHAMPION PROGRAM

Learn more about this great opportunity to receive free assistance to make your business more green/sustainable. (PDF)

Three to Five Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan

Click here to download a copy of the final 3-5 Year Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan (PDF)

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN MADISON

Information about Madison's booming biotechnology sector can be found here.

BIOAG GATEWAY

• BioAg Gateway - Where Science Grows. Learn more about this incredible business campus.
• BioAg Gateway Showcase (PDF)
• BioAg Maufacturing Process Graphic (PPT)
• Real Estate Marketing Map (PDF)
• A map of other business centers found in Southeast Madison (PDF)

OBR NEWS

• Eighth best "startup-friendly city" in America! Entrepreneur Magazine ranks Madison 8th best city in the country to start a business.
• 36 Hours in Madison - The New York Times suggests things to do in Madison (PDF)
• Madison a Best City for Gen Ys (PDF)
• Kiplinger's rates Madison No. 7 (PDF) Madison is one of the ten Best Cities for job growth potential!
• Madison has been ranked second in "Most Uniquely American Cities & Towns" (PDF) by Newsmax magazine.
• Madison ranked second! (PDF) Money magazine ranks Madison as the second best place to find a job.
• Metro Innovation Center - Provides space for University of Wisconsin-Madison entrepreneurs in Downtown Madison. Business suites are equipped with the latest voice and data technology.
• Madison ranked third! (PDF) Bizjournals ranks Madison No. 3 among midsized cites for the best quality of life.
• Madison Building Boomlet (PDF): A recent Wall Street Journal article analyzes Madison's economy.
• Madison is #1 for Job Seekers (PDF): Forbes Magazine ranks Madison the top city in the nation in which to find a job.
• In September 2008, the global stem cell community will descend upon Madison and continue this trend for the Genetics Policy Institute’s World Stem Cell Summit.
• Madison is ranked No. 46 on FORTUNE Small Business' 2008 "Best Places to Live and Launch" list.
• Dane County Regional Airport named as one of the top 20 airports in the world! (PDF)
• Downtown Market Analysis - The City of Madison and Downtown Madison Incorporated and BID #1 co-sponsored this market study.