Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday announced that his administration has successfully secured designations for four counties and four census tracts as a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), providing opportunities for local businesses to grow and compete in the federal marketplace.
This designation adds to the network of HUBZones represented across Wisconsin and is aimed at driving economic revitalization, job creation and small business growth in some of the state’s most rural and economically challenged communities.Â
The governor’s July petition to the Small Business Administration (SBA) helped secure a HUBZone designation for Dunn and Waushara counties and redesignation for Florence and Sawyer counties, along with four individual census tracts in Douglas, Grant, Green and Wood counties to support small businesses in areas in and around Monroe, Superior, Platteville and Wisconsin Rapids.
The SBA’s HUBZone program allows businesses in disadvantaged communities to compete for federal set-aside contracts. HUBZones are designated based on economic and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal agencies, using definitions established by the U.S. Congress.Â
Organizations and agencies, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), Wisconsin’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), as well as regional and local economic development organizations, are prepared to provide technical assistance and outreach to help businesses navigate the HUBZone certification process.
Related story: Evers petitions SBA for HUBZone county designations
