May 16, 2026
The Vernon County Community Development Department announced this week they are opening the 2026Elevate Vernon Grant Program, made possible by contributed funds from the Ho-Chunk Nation. Elevate Vernon is a small business grant designed to help local businesses and entrepreneurs take the next step in starting, growing, strengthening, or transitioning their operations. In addition to financial support, the program helps encourage business owners to invest in their own growth through business skill development.
Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses of all types with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent employees located in Vernon County. Businesses may apply for grants up to $10,000 and must provide either a 20% cash match or participate in up to 20 hours of technical assistance focused on strengthening business knowledge and skills. Businesses that received the grant in 2025 are ineligible.
Applications opened online May 15 and must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on July 10, 2026. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions no later than Sept. 15, 2026. Paper applications are available upon request and must also be returned by the July 10 deadline.
“In Vernon County, small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and communities,” said Larkin Breckel, Vernon County Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator. “Elevate Vernon was created in response to feedback from local businesses that needed just a little support to move their next project or idea forward. We also heard from entrepreneurs who wanted opportunities to strengthen their business skills but struggled to find the time or resources to invest in themselves. By pairing financial support with technical assistance, this program is designed to help businesses grow stronger today while building long-term resilience for the future.”
The first year of Elevate Vernon was launched through funding from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) Small Business Development Grant Program, which awarded Vernon County $150,000 to pilot the initiative in 2025. Initial responses from the business community far exceeded expectations. The County received more than $734,000 in funding requests representing approximately $2.8 million in local business investment. In its first year, the program awarded grants to 16 businesses across Vernon County and leveraged more than $286,000 in local investment. Many first-round projects are already underway across Vernon County and are expected to be completed by September 2026.
“I am excited to see what projects this round of the grant brings forward,” said Breckel. “There are so many creative and unique small businesses and business ideas here in Vernon County. This program can help turn ideas and dreams into reality, while giving our entrepreneurs the skills they need to be successful well into the future.”
The Elevate Vernon Grant Program is part of Vernon County’s ongoing efforts to support local businesses, strengthen communities, and build a resilient rural economy for years to come.
Business owners and entrepreneurs can learn more about the program and access the application materials at: Vernon County Community Development – Elevate Vernon Grant. For assistance, or information about additional funding or technical assistance opportunities, contact the Vernon County Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator Larkin Breckel at larkin.breckel@vernoncountywi.gov or (608) 637-5334.
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