ST. CROIX COUNTY - St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) is pleased to announce the first round of recipients of its Small Business Development Grant (SBDG), a program designed to provide direct financial assistance to small businesses and second-stage companies throughout St. Croix County. The grants are funded through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), with SCEDC administering the program locally to ensure resources reach the small businesses that need them most.

St. Croix EDC’s SBDG program offers support across several grant categories — including rental and purchase assistance, facade improvements, and capital access — giving businesses different ways to access the capital resources. Although the first round is complete, there are still limited funds available for the second round. Eligible businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as funds are available on a first-come, first served basis.

Rising Bread, River Falls – Capital Boost Grant: Rising Bread is a hyper-local community bakery utilizing local ingredients to make artisan sourdough bread and pastries. They will be using the funds to purchase equipment for their new retail space.

RaiderStreaming, Hudson – Capital Boost Grant: RaiderStreaming is a digital media and live-stream production company focused on creating high-quality streaming content and podcast programming. They will be using the funds to upgrade their professional production equipment.

Jewelltown Roastery, New Richmond – Capital Boost Grant: Jewelltown is a coffee shop and bean roastery that just opened a second location within the New Richmond Community Library. They will be using the funds to increase their staffing operations.

Championship Culture, River Falls – Capital Boost Grant: Championship Culture Coach is a high‑energy, innovative mental performance and culture coaching company. They will be using the funds for digital marketing and incorporating a Customer Management System.

Bakke Norman – Rental/Purchase Assistance Grant: Bakke Norman is a Western Wisconsin law firm with deep community roots that offers innovative legal services throughout the region.  It will be using the funds to assist with rental expenses associated with its new location in New Richmond.  

Enhanced Eye Care, New Richmond – Facade Grant: Enhanced Eye Care provides comprehensive eye exams, glasses and contacts for patients. They were partially reimbursed for updates to their facade, including siding, paint, and trim.

Cabrio Structures, River Falls – Rental/Purchase Assistance Grant: Cabrio Structures designs and manufactures retracting roofs and opening walls for patio structures. They will be using the funds to expand their marketing and sales efforts.

St. Croix Automotive, New Richmond – Facade Grant: St. Croix Automotive is an automotive repair business. They were partially reimbursed for updates to their signage.

Harmon Performance, New Richmond – Facade Grant: Harmon Performance is a transmission repair shop that has recently expanded to offer full automotive and diesel repairs. They were partially reimbursed for the installation of a new sign.

Baldwin Perk, Baldwin – Capital Boost Grant: Baldwin Perk is a lovely coffee shop and boutique that will use the grant funds to upgrade the interior and add additional staff.

SALTiE, New Richmond – Facade Grant: SALTiE is a full‑service restaurant in downtown New Richmond. Their project included fresh exterior paint and new window installations, for which they were partially reimbursed through the facade grant program.

Wild Badger, New Richmond – Facade Grant: Wild Badger is a full-service restaurant in downtown New Richmond. They were partially reimbursed for installation and purchase of new signage.

Nash and Beard, Hudson – Facade Grant: Nash and Beard recently purchased a building in downtown Hudson. They were partially reimbursed for painting supplies and paint to update the outside of their building.

Neat Nest Grooming, Hudson – Rental/Purchase Assistance Grant: Neat Nest Grooming Studio provides a clean, welcoming, spa-style grooming experience where dogs can feel safe, comfortable, and stress-free while being groomed providing exceptional care to our community. The grant funds will be used to purchase additional grooming equipment to better support our team, improve efficiency and comfort for our groomers, and help us continue growing by adding more team members in the future.

Aster Beverage, New Richmond – Facade Grant: Aster Beverage is a contract beverage canning business. They were partially reimbursed for repaving their parking lot that services staff parking and their tenant in the front of the building.

Busted Knuckle, New Richmond – Facade Grant: Busted Knuckle is a BBQ restaurant that has recently expanded into a tavern. They were partially reimbursed for new signage and patio upgrades to their space.

Sandalwood Academy of Aesthetics, New Richmond – Rental/Purchase Assistance Grant and Facade Grant: Sandalwood is a 450-hour esthetics program is designed to provide a comprehensive, hands-on education that prepares students for a successful career in the beauty industry. They will use the funds to equip the space and were partially reimbursed for the installation of new signage on the outside of the building.

RJ’s Meats & Groceries, Hudson – Facade Grant: RJ's offers a full line of beef, pork, and poultry, select cuts of veal and lamb in Hudson. They were partially reimbursed for upgrading their storefront, which included the installation of a new energy efficient glass front and new doors.

The Pearl Boutique, New Richmond – Facade Grant: The Pearl Boutique is a women’s clothing and gift boutique store in downtown New Richmond recently under new ownership. They were partially reimbursed for installing new signage to the outside of their building.

The Commerce - Trademark Collection by Wyndham, River Falls – Facade Grant: A recently remodeled hotel in River Falls under new local ownership, completed an exterior signage update as part of its transition to the Trademark Collection by Wyndham. They were partially reimbursed for new signage with their updating branding.

SCEDC is proud to see these funds making a tangible difference for small businesses across St. Croix County and was excited to see the variety of businesses that were supported. "This grant program is a meaningful way to put resources directly into the hands of entrepreneurs and small business owners who are growing, investing, and contributing to our community," said Melissa Meschke, Executive Director of SCEDC. "We encourage any eligible business that hasn't yet applied to take advantage of the remaining funds before they're gone." For more information on the Small Business Development Grant and to apply, visit stcroixedc.com.

Submitted by St. Croix EDC