2024 Expanding Business Opportunities in Rural Wisconsin – Lincoln, Langlade Counties (Antigo)

Governor Evers’s application to the U.S. Small Business Administration for HUBZone status for Lincoln and Langlade Counties has recently been approved.

The HUBZone program (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) supports small business growth with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars as well as 3% of large federal contractor subcontracting dollars to certified companies each year. The HUBZone map now includes Juneau County on the SBA HUBZone map as “Governor-Designated Covered Areas.”  Currently, many Federal agencies and Federal prime contractors are not meeting their HUBZone goals. Certified HUBZone firms have a unique preference in Federal government contracting.

Joining the session will be representatives from:

• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Wisconsin Office of Rural Prosperity
• Regional resource providers
• Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

During this session, you will learn about:

• Benefits of and applying for an SBA HUBZone certification
• HUBZone certification requirements
• The certification process
• Locating HUBZone opportunities
• Marketing your HUBZone certified business

Wispolitics reports — Small businesses in Juneau, Langlade and Lincoln counties will get a leg up in competing for federal contracts after the SBA approved their designation as Historically Underutilized Business Zones. 

The federal agency yesterday announced it approved a request from Gov. Tony Evers to designate the three counties as HUBZones, giving small businesses there “price preferences and other advantages” in competing for federal contracts.

With the latest designations, Wisconsin now has more than 120 HUBZones, according to the release.

Eric Ness, SBA’s Wisconsin district director, says more federal contracts are becoming available through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPs Act and other sources.

“Now is an ideal time for small businesses in Juneau, Langlade, and Lincoln counties  to get their HUBZone certification and pursue these contracts,” he said.

See more program details.