(Stevens Point, Wis., October 19, 2026) — U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Andrew C. Iverson announced today that USDA will invest nearly $46,000 to support startup and growth, training and technical assistance to microenterprise development organizations in rural Wisconsin.

“President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins are committed to rural prosperity,” said Iverson. “These investments through the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program are intended to bolster economic opportunities for entrepreneurs across rural Wisconsin.”

  • ADVOCAP, Inc. will use a $1,940 grant to provide technical assistance and training for rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises. ADVOCAP has provided business assistance to small, rural businesses for more than 25 years. Their mission is to create opportunities for people and communities to reduce poverty and increase self-sufficiency. They focus on helping low-income entrepreneurs with start-up business assistance, as well as ongoing assistance.
  • Cap Services Inc. will use a $44,044 grant to provide technical assistance and training to rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises. Cap Services Inc. is a private non-profit corporation whose mission is to mobilize resources needed to bring about a permanent increase in the ability of low-income people to become economically and emotionally self-sufficient.

The grants announced today are through the USDA Rural Development’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. The program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations. The grants help with startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund and training and technical assistance. More information about the RMAP is available online.

USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs to promote rural prosperity. Our programs expand access to high-speed internet, electric, and transportation infrastructure, and support business growth, healthcare, education, housing, and other community essentials. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov/wi.   

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