Community Loans Projects

Trene McCaskill, owner of H.E.R. Valley – a self-care and revitalization service in Racine – will celebrate the grand opening of her new location at 904 State St. on July 9th at 11:45 a.m.

To help encourage business improvement, retention and attraction, the Village of Sturtevant created a new program with favorable loan terms – little to no equity requirement, low-interest, and principal deferrals.

The newest Racine County grant, the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) was launched in late 2021. Nearly $72,000 has been approved for businesses throughout Racine County that were negatively affected by the pandemic. Fortunately, there is still $330,000 available.

On Saturday, December 4th, Tom and Sue Haman celebrated the grand opening of their new Culver’s location on Douglas Avenue, across from O&H Danish Bakery and Starbucks.

Dan Gallagher started Mybread Bakery with a mission to provide gluten-free breads that are safe for those with food allergies, but not compromise taste or quality. Three years later, Gallagher relocated from Chicago to Racine – with help from the Racine County Economic Development Corporation – and expanded operations by renting a larger space, purchasing better machinery, and hiring additional employees.

A new Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program was capitalized by Racine County to support local companies impacted by the Foxconn development in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. The new program is referred to as the Greater Racine County RLF.

With infrastructure improvements completed and development plans in place, the Village of Waterford and a few of its local businesses are utilizing RCEDC resources to spur recent development activity.

RCEDC’s most recent Zero Loan Program recipients, Terri and Michael Bannon, owners of Razor Sharp Fitness, used the funds to purchase new fitness equipment, which they anticipate will increase memberships and alleviate the effects from the pandemic.

One of the City of Burlington’s newest businesses, The Loop Commons, announced their official opening on Facebook (January 11, 2021). The Loop Commons is a historic building revived for modern endeavors, and includes co-working space, a photo studio, a podcast studio, conference rooms, private offices, event space, a coffee shop, and coming spring 2020, a climbing gym.

Darius Szczekocki, president of Hestia Heat Treat in Racine, will use a $100,000 pandemic recovery loan to purchase new equipment to seek more work with automotive industry clients.