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Economic Development Links

Contact Us

Argyle Welcomes New Business

"Argyle is a very business friemdly town. They welcomed us with open arms."
Duane Carley, President, Forte Products

The Argyle Fiber Mill is a successful business startup and a welcome addition to the local community.

Getting Started

Argyle Village Clerk

Stop by the office. The village clerk can help you contact all the right people to help you start your business, plus provide you with up to the minute information about the village and local business opportunities, including the proposed TID.

Contact: Sandra Flannery (608)543-3113

Argyle Economic Development Coordinator

The coordinator acts as a liaison between existing or potential businesses and the village; also, pertinent information about grants and workshops are maintained. Helpful contacts for business startups and expansion can be provided.

Contact: Kathy Olmstead
Phone: (608)543-3113
Email: economicdevelopment@argylewi.org

University of Wisconsin Extension Office

The local Extension office partners with state and federal government entities on business, agri-business, and a variety of economic development issues. They are a knowledgeable resource who can also direct you to specific agencies and individuals who may be of assistance.

627 Washington St., Darlington, WI
(608)776-4820

Wisconsin Department of Revenue Business Wizard The Business Wizard covers licensing, permitting and regulatory requirements for the State of Wisconsin, also certain federal and local regulations. Using a series of five question-and-answer pages, the Wizard provides customized information to help you start and operate a Wisconsin-based business

Education and Business Planning

Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE)

The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) provides no cost counseling and mentoring to new and expanding businesses. SCORE is a nationwide organization with over 13,000 business expert volunteers. SCORE can help entrepreneurs to develop the plans and skills they need to achieve business success. Visit their web site to find a local SCORE volunteer by providing your state and a keyword on your business question. Although the closest chapter is in Madison, their website offers excellent templates for business plans, financial planning, and sales forecasting.

Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Network (WEN)

WEN provides assistance with business planning and applying for Federal research and development funding. Small and emerging businesses throughout Wisconsin can receive up to two hours of free legal counseling services from a Business Lawyer at no cost. Through local and regional centers, this statewide network offers business planning and access to capital and finance assistance, provides assistance with intellectual property and technology transfer issues and leveraging existing public resources, as well as those available in the marketplace. It also helps businesses with high growth potential reach the next level.

Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center

Located at UW Platteville, they provide low-cost training and no-cost counseling to Wisconsin's entrepreneurs and small business owners and managers located in Southwest Wisconsin, including Lafayette County. Their services are offered in cooperation with UW-Extension, UW-Platteville, and the Small Business Administration.

Contact Gary Smith, Program Director. Phone: (608) 342-1038 Email: swsbdc@uwplatt.edu

Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative

WBIC is a statewide economic development corporation that provides quality business education and financing to help both women and men launch and expand small businesses.

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP)Business Resources

Provides a wealth of business resources for the farmer including marketing, financial planning, technical assistance, tax credits, exports, etc.

Center of Community Economic Development (CCED)

Provides resources which will help you analyze your business ideas. Useful for aspiring entrepreneurs and those already operating a business of any kind. Applied Population Laboratory (APL) http://www.apl.wisc.edu/index.html Provides population estimates and projections, regional and community based demographic profiles, data access, and interpretation of census results.

USDA Rural Development

Rural Development offers programs to provide the educational opportunities, training, technical support, and tools for rural residents to start small businesses and to access jobs in agricultural markets, the green economy, and other existing markets, as well as acquire training in vocational and entrepreneurship skills they can use in the marketplace and business sector. Carol Wetuski is a local representative, in Dodgeville.

Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin

Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin provides economic development resources, small businesss development, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism information for the region.

Financial Assistance

Lafayette Development Corporation.

The Lafayette County Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) assists businesses planning to locate in the county as well as existing businesses that are planning expansions. The Revolving Loan Fund program offers low interest loans (5% or less) for equipment purchases, land acquisition, existing building purchases, and working capital, with term limits up to 10 years. Loans are offered by working with a bank to secure funding with the RLF funds available in addition to the bank loan. A business plan and other working documents are required for the application process by both the bank and the RLF. Job creation and other requirements may be needed to secure RLF financing.

Argyle TID No. 3

The district (see map) includes a significant portion of the central business district. Properties within the district are available for development. Contact Village Clerk's office for current information.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Division of Agri-Business

The DATCP provides an exhaustive survey of financial assistance in their linked document (pdf) entitled "Got Moo-La: Where to go for business assistance in Wisconsin". It is a tool designed to help small businesses develop and grow their value-added business using money, information, and technical assistance from outside their organization.

Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

Targets job-creating business development/expansion projects that address a regional need or a specific unmet need in a community. It is intended to provide gap financing to make business loans bankable.

Southwest Community Action Program

Simple application. Quick approval decisions. Designed for those who need just a few thousand dollars. Also provides business startup planning assistance and marketing support.

Local Lenders

First National Bank and Trust

At First National Bank and Trust we know that there is no standard business loan. Each one is different, because every business is different. So, we take a special approach with every business we work with. First National Bank offers competitive interest rates, long and short term solutions, multiple financing options, attention to personal service, local decision making and processing and our easy online payment options through online banking or SameDayPay. Give us a call at 800.667.4401 or stop in our Argyle branch at 321 E Milwaukee Street and we'll be there to help with any challenges you face.

Woodford State Bank

Branch offices in Argyle and surrounding communities. Business banking and lending.

Workforce

Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board

The Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (SWWDB) offers employers a comprehensive array of cost-effective methods to connect to the region's dynamic and motivated job-seekers. Some services are provided free of charge, while others are available at affordable and negotiable rates

For more information about SWWDB and any of its business services, please contact Eric Kuznacic, Business & Employer Services Manager, at (608) 741-3502 or e.kuznacic@swwdb.org

Local Opportunities

Commercial Properties for Sale

None at this time.

Infrastructure

Highways Argyle is located at the intersection of Highways 78 and 81 in Southwest Wisconsin, providing convenient access to major thoroughfares and surrounding communities including Madison, Dubuque, and Rockford.

Water and Sewer Argyle operates its own water pumping station and wastewater treatment plant. Water supplies and treatment capacities far exceed peak usage.

Electricity Argyle operates its own hydroelectric power plant with backup diesel generating capability. Contracted rates with Dairyland Power Cooperative are lower than many surrounding communities as a result of Argyle's resident power generating capability.

Did you know?