For the Tomahawk Leader
LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) this week announced that county small business now have a “significant expansion” of access to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program.
A release from LCEDC said the HUBZone Program is designed to help small businesses in historically underutilized business zones gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities.
“The program encourages economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by providing access to more federal contracting opportunities,” LCEDC explained.
LCEDC said it sought support for the designation from various small businesses throughout Lincoln County and worked with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to ensure the area would be included in Governor Tony Evers’ petition.
Langlade and Juneau counties are also newly-designated HUBZone areas in Wisconsin. The three areas have been officially added to the HUBZone map as ‘Governor-Designated Covered Areas’ and will be eligible for this designation for one year, effective immediately.
“The initiative is aimed at widening the doors of access to federal contracting opportunities, promoting economic growth, and supporting the development of small businesses in these regions,” LCEDC stated.
Evers “expressed gratitude for the SBA’s approval, emphasizing the importance of the HUBZone Program in creating opportunities for Wisconsin’s small businesses to partner with the federal government,” according to LCEDC.
“He also committed to ensuring that these counties continue to meet the necessary requirements for HUBZone designation,” LCEDC noted.
Small businesses located in the designated areas can learn more about potential eligibility for HUBZone certification at www.sba.gov/hubzone.
LCEDC said an educational event will be held in Merrill at a date and location to be determined.