Businesses have much support among city and county governments and lenders. Ashland Area Development Corporation offers financial programs, incentives, an industrial park and an enterprise center for new and existing businesses in and near Ashland.

The Ashland Industrial Park offers both developed acres and green space. Land in the park is valued at $2,500 per acre, however if one company creates nine jobs or more, land is priced at $1 per acre for that company.

A new 20,000 sq. foot commercial/industrial building constructed by Impact Seven is available for sale or lease. It is located on 4.48-acres in the Ashland Industrial Park on Highway 2 on Ashland's east side. More information on this and other locations is available through the Ashland Area Development Corporation.

The Ashland Area Development Corporation operates the Ashland Area Enterprise Center. Its mission is to foster economic development in and around the Ashland area.

The Enterprise Center provides both leased space and support/technical services to small businesses. It will work with many types of small businesses, ranging from home-based, to startups and expanding businesses.

The Center's facility is a 60,000 sq. foot mixed-use building that has warehouse and distribution, "Class A" office and manufacturing space and is available on flexible terms. Features include concrete floors in production area, a loading dock, conference rooms, storage space and parking.

Tenants enjoy a welcoming lobby and friendly receptionist service. Many office amenities are available including clerical services and payroll/accounting assistance, professional building management and low-interest revolving loan fund financing.

Retail trade is the leading business in Ashland, with educational and healthcare services coming in second and third. Other significant businesses include agriculture, forestry and fisheries, public utilities, construction, entertainment and recreation, finance, insurance and real estate, manufacturing, mining, personal services, public administration, transportation, and wholesale trade.

There are five banking institutions within the City of Ashland. They are Associated Bank, M & I, Northern State Bank, Northwoods Community Credit Union, and Superior Community Credit Union.

For a current listing of Ashland employers, check out these two Ashland based websites: www.visitashland.com and www.ashlandareadevelopment.org.

Industry: it's all about opportunity As many already know, northwestern Wisconsin is an ideal place for business and industry. Continual support helps keep business strong and gives people one more reason to move here.

Ashland offers its citizens and industry an assortment of economic development organizations, including the Business Employees' Skills Training (BEST). This program was established by the Wisconsin legislature to help small businesses upgrade the skills of their workforce.

Also, Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to meeting the employment and training needs of employers, job seekers, incumbent workers, and students. CEP has helped thousands of youths, adults, dislocated workers and displaced homemakers gain marketable skills and get good jobs.

Some of the ways they do this is through on-the-job training, work experience, fast track training, job profile matching, basic skills upgrading, classroom training, career counseling, and supportive services such as child care and tools.

Next Topic

Previous Topic