Vernon County Development

04/20/2026

✨Great new opportunities for small businesses featured in April's Community Development Newsletter! ✨

Sign up today to get the most up-to-date information on grants, programs, and information on the many exciting things happening here in Vernon County.

04/14/2026

Boost your online presence with the SBDC! 🌐✨
Join us April 23 & 30 to learn website optimization, social media strategy, and SEO basics.

Register now: https://www.uwlax.edu/sbdc/calendar-of-events/

04/13/2026

Notice something looks a little different? We’ve got a new logo, both for the Community Development Department, and Vernon County as a whole!
This update helps bring all Vernon County departments together under a more unified and easy-to-recognize look that reflects our regions and values. Even with the change, the Community Development Department is still here helping businesses and communities connect with the resources they need to thrive. Learn more about the new brand: https://www.vernoncountywi.gov/news_detail_T8_R240.php

03/30/2026

By Joe Lawniczak WEDC Downtown Design Specialist Vacant storefronts should be thought of as a blank slate for a new business. Vacant storefronts exist in every community. Most often it’s not a sign of a struggling district or a poor economy. Businesses come and go for various reasons.

03/24/2026

Twenty organizations across the state have been awarded in the inaugural round of Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) grants. The SBTA program provides funding to organizations that assist entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state.

These grants are expected to support more than 2,000 individuals and businesses.

Check out the link to learn about the full list of organizations that received funding: https://wedc.org/building-wisconsins-entrepreneurial-base/

03/11/2026

Could your small business benefit from grant funding? The 7 Rivers Small Business Revitalization Grant Program is offering grants of up to $10,000 directly to small businesses located in communities with populations of 4,000 or fewer.

If you’re interested in learning more, please join us for a virtual informational meeting tommorrow - Wednesday, March 11 at 11:00 AM.

You must register using this link to receive the meeting details: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/z6g2q4yxTYaJmPCGFg50ww #/registration

03/09/2026

Please see an important announcement below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Water Lab Closure to be on March 12

📣The Vernon County Public Health Department Water Laboratory will be closed on Thursday, March 12, 2026, due to a planned power outage.

During this closure, NO WATER SAMPLES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

The laboratory also does not accept samples on Fridays, so residents should plan accordingly when scheduling water sample submissions.

Normal operations and sample acceptance will resume the following week.

The Vernon County Public Health Department appreciates the public’s understanding.

Vernon County Public Health Department
Viroqua, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 637-5251

01/19/2026

01/16/2026

Check out the Agritourism Business Development Series hosted by UW-Extension Crawford County and other partners. This is a free opportunity for farmers in Southwestern Wisconsin! Visit go.wisc.edu/agritourism for more information.

12/16/2025

Winter is the perfect time to step back and evaluate your current or dream business. Are you looking to grow your business or starting something new? The Vernon County Economic Development Loan Fund has Working Capital and Gap Funding loans available at a low interest rate to help start, run, and grow your business here in Vernon County. https://www.vernoncountywi.gov/departments/community_development/economic_development_loan.php to learn more!

12/11/2025

Hey Vernon County Small Businesses! Did you know that our friends at the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC) have a few awesome programs that increase access to funding for small businesses?!

Learn more about the MRRPC business plan and pitch contest (Plans Due Feb 13!) and the Small Business Development Grant, which is perfect to pair with the Vernon County Economic Development Loan.

Learn more at: https://www.vernoncountywi.gov/departments/community_development/grants_loans.php

or contact Jon at 608.785.9396