Regional planning agency briefs Polk County board on services, local loan programs

A senior planner and deputy director of the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission told the Polk County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 17 that the commission provides planning, economic development, transportation and conservation services across a seven‑county region that includes Polk County.

The planner said the commission is governed by a 21‑member commission (three appointees per county), operates with a staff of about 15 and manages a roughly $1.8 million budget. He told supervisors Polk County’s contribution to the commission’s levy was about $38,000 in 2024 and is projected at roughly $39,000 for 2025.

"We try to serve as a coordinating agency or coordinating organization, so bringing different parties together to facilitate and convene," the planner said, noting recent Polk County projects such as a county hazard mitigation plan and a county bicycle and pedestrian plan.

Amanda Viet, lending specialist for the Regional Business Fund (RBF), described the RBF as a nonprofit administered by the regional planning commission that provides gap financing and revolving loans to businesses across the same seven counties. Viet said the RBF board has one representative per county and offers multiple programs including microloans, facade loans and a revolving loan fund that typically requires bank participation.

"We offer low interest loans to businesses that provide an economic benefit to the region," Viet said, and highlighted local examples: a microloan participation of $30,000 toward a $98,000 project for an indoor play business, facade loans used to renovate a downtown storefront, and an RBF role in furnishing a new childcare center expected to serve about 25 children.

Viet also summarized recent performance figures discussed in the presentation: since the most recent reporting period the RBF has assisted multiple businesses in the region (transcript figures cited by the presenter), supported start‑ups, helped leverage private financing and reported a delinquency rate the presenter described as "under a 2% delinquency rate." When a supervisor asked about foreclosures, Viet said the RBF’s combined delinquency with bank partners remains below 2 percent.

The presenters said many services the commission provides (grant writing, mapping, hazard mitigation planning) are covered partly by county levy support and by contracts for specific projects; they encouraged supervisors to contact commission staff about potential grant or project opportunities.

The presentation closed with offers to answer follow‑up questions and references to materials provided to supervisors at the meeting.