Business Resources, Courses and Updates

Winneshiek County Development & Tourism is here to help support our communities and businesses. Below are a few business resources that are available to you and your employees.  As time moves forward, we will continue to update this page with more information. I have also included additional programs and grant opportunities for certain areas of our workforce. I encourage you to share this information with others as you see fit. 

Stay safe and healthy,
Stephanie Fromm
Executive Director

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Small Business Assistance Program Directory

Use the search filter below to find programs, courses, loans, and grants that may fit your needs.

59 Matching Results

Small Business Software Applications: Gmail and Google Calendar

November 3, 2020

These specialized COVID-19 Recovery classes are offered at a discounted rate. Most are under $50!* We have classes for leadership, marketing, software applications and non-profits. More are coming soon!

Deadline: February 9, 2021
Links: Register Online


Leadership Course: Creating Psychological Safety to Keep Teams Moving Forward

November 3, 2020

These specialized COVID-19 Recovery classes are offered at a discounted rate. Most are under $50!* We have classes for leadership, marketing, software applications and non-profits. More are coming soon!

Deadline: March 16, 2021
Links: Register Online


Leadership Course – Laws of Leadership: Follow Them And People Will Follow You

November 3, 2020

These specialized COVID-19 Recovery classes are offered at a discounted rate. Most are under $50!* We have classes for leadership, marketing, software applications and non-profits. More are coming soon!

Deadline: January 13, 2020
Links: Register Online


Leadership Course – Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

November 3, 2020

. These specialized COVID-19 Recovery classes are offered at a discounted rate. Most are under $50!* We have classes for leadership, marketing, software applications and non-profits. More are coming soon!

Deadline: December 3, 2020
Links: Register Online


Unemployment Insurance

Updated: November 3, 2020

The CARES Act increases weekly payments, and please note that the law increases the availability of unemployment insurance benefits to those that are self-employed, contract workers, those ineligible for state […]

Links: Iowa Workforce Development


Sweet Relief Musicians Fund

Updated: November 3, 2020

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is offering variable COVID-19 relief grants for musicians and music industry workers. To be eligible, you must provide documentation proving at least 50% of your income […]

Links: Application Link


Bartender Emergency Assistance Program

Updated: November 3, 2020

Grants to bartenders or the spouse or child of a bartender experiencing emergency hardship and lacking the necessities of life, including financial, physical, mental, or emotional well being as a result […]

Links: Eligibility Information & Application


Small Business Help Line

Updated: November 3, 2020

Our local Small Business Development Counselors in Winneshiek County are readily available to assist local businesses. Whether it’s local/state/federal applications, business/marketing plans or simply exploring different opportunities to reach your […]

Links: Press Release | Iowa SBDC COVID-19 Resources


Hello Alice Grant

Updated: November 3, 2020

Hello Alice is offering $10,000 emergency COVID-19 grants under their Business for All grant contest. To apply, you need to fill to an application for their main contest, and then they will direct you to the COVID-19 grant request. If you don’t receive a COVID-19 grant, you would be in the running for their main grant contest, which has a grand prize of $50,000. To be eligible, you must be a legal resident of the U.S. over 18 years of age, your business must be a legal for-profit business based in the U.S., and the applicant must be the business owner who is the founder and/or leading executive. Preference is given to business owners who are women, people of color, LGBTQ+, military-connected, and entrepreneurs with disabilities. 

Links: Application Link


Iowa Targeted Small Business Program

Updated: November 3, 2020

State program designed to help women, individuals with minority status, service-connected disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities overcome some of the hurdles to start or grow a small business in […]

Links: Application for TSB Certification | COVID-19 TSB Operator Fund (Suspended)


Kiva Loan

Updated: November 3, 2020

Kiva crowdfunds loans for borrowers who are either financially excluded or creating social impact in their communities. Kiva borrowers work in many industries. They may be farmers, artisans, students, shopkeepers, […]

Links: How a Kiva Loan Works | Examples of Kiva Loans in the United States


Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Updated: November 3, 2020

Low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to agricultural businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
At this time, only agricultural business applications will be accepted due to limitations in funding availability and the unprecedented submission of applications already received.

Links: Information


Beauty Changes Lives Grant

Updated: November 3, 2020

Beauty Changes Lives is offering a one-time $1,000 Nail Professional Relief Grant to nail professionals who cannot maintain their regular income due to mandated COVID-19 closures. To qualify, applicants must be a licensed nail professional who has been employed for 12 months on or before March 16, 2020, lives in the U.S., and currently is not earning an income. Applications due 6/30/2020.

Deadline: June 30, 2020
Links: Application Link


List of Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Updated: November 3, 2020

Creative Capital’s list of resources for artists working in all disciplines, as well as arts philanthropists, and arts professionals. Inclues national, state, & local grants for artists as well as […]

Links: List of Artist Resources


Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)

Updated: November 3, 2020

CFAP will provide direct support based on losses for agriculture producers where prices and market supply chains have been significantly impacted and will assist eligible producers facing additional adjustment and marketing costs resulting from lost demand and short-term oversupply for the 2020 marketing year caused by COVID-19.     

Links: Information | Link to Webinar - Application Process


Pork Disposal Assistance Program

Updated: November 3, 2020

A disposal assistance program to help Iowa pork producers who are unable to harvest pigs because of COVID-19 supply chain disruptions.

Links: Learn More Here


Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Program

Updated: November 3, 2020

Rental assistance for up to four months, including up to two months in arrears, beginning with April 1 rent, ($3,200 maximum). Includes manufactured home rent and lot rent. Mortgage assistance, including up to two months in arrears, beginning with April 1 mortgage payment, ($3,000 maximum).

Links: Application


Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Updated: November 3, 2020

Provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The […]

Links: Details


Small Business Help Line

Our local Small Business Development Counselors are readily available to assist local businesses. Whether it’s local/state/federal applications, business/marketing plans or simply exploring different opportunities to reach your customers, our team is available by calling 563-588-3350 between 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday – Friday. This is a free service to all businesses.

Decorah and Winneshiek County Mutual Aid Network

The Network is still up and running! If you need help, advice or have questions, please visit the website or reach out to one of our team members at mutualaid@decorahnow.com.

Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, in partnership with DecorahNow and MANY other great partner organizations, has launched a mutual aid network to help community members, businesses, and organizations from throughout Winneshiek County and beyond, share information and resources, read more about what is happening locally, let others know they are available to help, and/or to ask for help, suggest ideas, and share positive stories. Please visit the website or follow the page on social media for the most up to date information.

Other Links and Information

Office of the Governor of Iowa
Latest News and Information

Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division
Updated Rules and Regulations for Bars & Restaurants

Iowa Utilities Board
Order Extending Winter Moratorium for Electric and Natural Gas Customers

Iowa Workforce Development
Iowa Workforce Development Response to COVID-19
Application – Unemployment Insurance Benefits.

Other Business Resource Sites

CIRAS at Iowa State University
How to deal with COVID-19

IASourceLink
Iowa Business Information on COVID-19

Iowa Small Business Development Center
How to Prepare Your Small Business for Coronavirus

Main Street America Resource Center
Guidance for Your Community

RestoreYourEconomy.com
COVID-19 Resources for Economic Development Planning & Recovery

Tourism Resources
Information for Iowa Tourism Partners

​U.S. Chamber of Commerce
COVID-19 Preparedness Checklist

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers [PDF]