Low-Income Individuals Achieve Self-Sufficiency Through Business Assistance

[DriVer]

-For Immediate Release-

Low-income Individuals Achieve Self-Sufficiency Through Business Assistance

Quietly and economically, a little known state funded program has created 4,862 living-wage jobs and 1,488 new Wisconsin businesses since 1988.

One such business is RVing Outpost in Abbotsford, WI. Greg Miklaszewicz was transferred to the northwestern part of the state by his employer, but shortly after relocating his family, his job was eliminated in a company downsizing. Because he and his wife, Julie, failed in their search to find gainful employment in their area, they started to discuss self-employment. A love of camping led them to investigate the possibility of opening a camping and recreational vehicle supply store.

Greg and Julie contacted the Business Development Program at Indianhead Community Action Agency and were provided with the technical assistance that was necessary for them to develop a Business Plan. In addition, they were approved for financing through the Small Business Administrations' loan guarantee program.

Now, the Miklaszewicz's are living out their dream. Their mission is to support the ever-growing recreational vehicle community by supplying the highest quality parts, supplies and accessories and offering superior customer service. More information about RVing Outpost and the products they sell can be found on their website, Mrs. Mik's Website.

The Indianhead Business Development Program is part of a network of 9 Community Action Agencies, UMOS, and the Great Lakes Intertribal Council serving 51 counties, tribal reservations and seasonal farm workers in Wisconsin. The program provides low-income individuals who are starting or expanding a business with one-on-one technical assistance and loan packaging.

The Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) administers the program and received $230,000 of state funds from the Department of Workforce Development. Participating CAAs match state funds with support from other federal and private sources. The program helped create 86 businesses producing 109 jobs in 2005.

WISCAP Executive Director, Richard Schlimm said "the entrepreneurs' success affirms Community Action's belief that many low-income individuals possess the ideas, skills and motivation needed to use self-employment as a strategy for attaining economic self-sufficiency."� He noted that the program not only helps low-income households grow their income, it also grows the state's economy.

There is no charge for the program to individuals whose income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.

The state cost per job created during the past 17 years has averaged less than $10,000, or half of the cost of traditional federal job creation programs. More than 75% of businesses assisted by CAAs are still operating after three years compared to the national average of less than 50%.

Schlimm attributes CAA's higher success rate in assisting entrepreneurs to three main ingredients: preparing a comprehensive business plan; having access to adequate start-up capital; and offering effective one-one-one post start-up technical assistance.

To supplement the one-on-one assistance, entrepreneurs can obtain free on-line technical assistance at the Virtual Business Incubator, vbi.biz. The site, developed by CAP Services in Stevens Point in 1999, provides information critical for running a successful business and includes in-depth work books on accounting, banking and finance, insurance, business law, and marketing. Links to additional county and state resources also are provided.

###

For additional information contact
Richard Schlimm, Executive Director
Wisconsin Community Action Program Association
608-244-4422

Community Action, creating local opportunities for economic self-sufficiency

[DriVer]

-For Immediate Release-

Low-income Individuals Achieve Self-Sufficiency Through Business Assistance

Quietly and economically, a little known state funded program has created 4,862 living-wage jobs and 1,488 new Wisconsin businesses since 1988.

One such business is RVing Outpost in Abbotsford, WI. Greg Miklaszewicz was transferred to the northwestern part of the state by his employer, but shortly after relocating his family, his job was eliminated in a company downsizing. Because he and his wife, Julie, failed in their search to find gainful employment in their area, they started to discuss self-employment. A love of camping led them to investigate the possibility of opening a camping and recreational vehicle supply store.

Greg and Julie contacted the Business Development Program at Indianhead Community Action Agency and were provided with the technical assistance that was necessary for them to develop a Business Plan. In addition, they were approved for financing through the Small Business Administrations' loan guarantee program.

Now, the Miklaszewicz's are living out their dream. Their mission is to support the ever-growing recreational vehicle community by supplying the highest quality parts, supplies and accessories and offering superior customer service. More information about RVing Outpost and the products they sell can be found on their website, Mrs. Mik's Website.

The Indianhead Business Development Program is part of a network of 9 Community Action Agencies, UMOS, and the Great Lakes Intertribal Council serving 51 counties, tribal reservations and seasonal farm workers in Wisconsin. The program provides low-income individuals who are starting or expanding a business with one-on-one technical assistance and loan packaging.

The Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) administers the program and received $230,000 of state funds from the Department of Workforce Development. Participating CAAs match state funds with support from other federal and private sources. The program helped create 86 businesses producing 109 jobs in 2005.

WISCAP Executive Director, Richard Schlimm said "the entrepreneurs' success affirms Community Action's belief that many low-income individuals possess the ideas, skills and motivation needed to use self-employment as a strategy for attaining economic self-sufficiency."� He noted that the program not only helps low-income households grow their income, it also grows the state's economy.

There is no charge for the program to individuals whose income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.

The state cost per job created during the past 17 years has averaged less than $10,000, or half of the cost of traditional federal job creation programs. More than 75% of businesses assisted by CAAs are still operating after three years compared to the national average of less than 50%.

Schlimm attributes CAA's higher success rate in assisting entrepreneurs to three main ingredients: preparing a comprehensive business plan; having access to adequate start-up capital; and offering effective one-one-one post start-up technical assistance.

To supplement the one-on-one assistance, entrepreneurs can obtain free on-line technical assistance at the Virtual Business Incubator, vbi.biz. The site, developed by CAP Services in Stevens Point in 1999, provides information critical for running a successful business and includes in-depth work books on accounting, banking and finance, insurance, business law, and marketing. Links to additional county and state resources also are provided.

###

For additional information contact
Richard Schlimm, Executive Director
Wisconsin Community Action Program Association
608-244-4422

Community Action, creating local opportunities for economic self-sufficiency

[Petro]

DriVer;
My business is a result of a similar Wis program. In 1975 I used a program out of Stevens Point called the Central Wisconsin Business Development Center. It was run by the University of Wisconsin. They did proforma statements and helped me get financing through SBA. It was a very successful program.

Don