The Dunn County Community Resources and Tourism Meeting held on March 18, 2025, focused on enhancing local entrepreneurial support through potential funding initiatives. A key discussion point was the collaboration between Dunn County and the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission regarding a new loan fund aimed at supporting startups.

During the meeting, a representative highlighted the importance of this initiative, explaining that the proposed loan fund would serve as an additional resource for entrepreneurs in Dunn County. The fund is designed to provide gap financing, which would be utilized after traditional funding avenues, such as banks and credit unions, have been exhausted. This approach ensures that the fund would not compete with existing resources but rather complement them by filling financial gaps for businesses that have already sought assistance from other sources, including the Regional Business Fund.

The representative clarified that the new fund would not duplicate the efforts of the Northwest Regional Planning Commission but would instead augment the financial options available to local entrepreneurs. Notably, the Regional Business Fund does not specifically target housing and childcare projects, whereas the new fund could support businesses looking to incorporate these essential services into their operations.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of educating local entrepreneurs about these funding opportunities, emphasizing that collaboration among various funding sources could significantly enhance the entrepreneurial landscape in Dunn County. Further steps will be taken to explore the implementation of this loan fund and its potential impact on local businesses.