SHEBOYGAN, WI — The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation aims to provide services that assist new and existing businesses, this includes the administration of the County Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). The RLF is available through Sheboygan County’s Industrial Development and Revolving Loan Agency. This fund is designed to create a low-cost alternative financing option for small businesses and startups in the county. The RLF program includes interest rates and loan maturities designed to encourage business development, private investment, and job creation in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.
Safety Fresh Foods, an RLF loan recipient, provides high-pressure processing (HPP) to the food and beverage industry. Using only cold water and high pressure, HPP naturally extends shelf-life and provides a safer product by eliminating pathogens. The company currently employs approximately 30 people and continues to invest in additional equipment to keep up with growing demand. Safety Fresh is owned and operated by the Maglio family, who has been in the food business since 1902.
With the help and guidance of the SCEDC throughout the RLF process, Safety Fresh Foods was able to purchase new equipment for their business, a purchase that significantly impacted their growth in the last four years.
“The HPP business comes with very high startup costs,” said Mark Maglio, Director of Safety Fresh Foods. “The RLF helped Safety Fresh purchase its initial piece of Avure processing equipment. Sales have grown by over 600% in four years, and Safety Fresh is now looking to purchase additional machines to accommodate the increased demand.”
“The SCEDC was incredibly helpful as we navigated opening a business in a new location,” said Mark. “While Maglio Companies has operated in Wisconsin since the 1940s, we are new to Sheboygan County. The SCEDC was tremendous, assisting with the RLF process and providing introductions to vendors and customers alike.”
For more information or to get in contact with Mark Maglio at Safety Fresh Foods, email mark@sammarkholdings.com.
For more information about the Revolving Loan Fund, visit the SCEDC website or email Brian Doudna, Executive Director of the SCEDC at doudna@sheboygancountyedc.com.
The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) is a public-private partnership leading economic, community, and workforce development efforts in Sheboygan County to improve the well-being and long-term prosperity of businesses, residents, and communities. Through technical assistance, the SCEDC leverages a variety of tools to encourage business growth, startups, investment, skill development, and talent attraction. By applying the appropriate resources, the SCEDC helps fulfill Sheboygan County’s growing economic and business needs.