VCEDC

Name

VCEDC

Legal name

Vilas County Economic Development Corporation

Website

https://vilascountyedc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Small business consulting
• Entrepreneurship support
• Rural broadband expansion
• Community development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Eagle River

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: VCEDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations from community members, local businesses, and supporters. The donate page emphasizes that every dollar is an investment in small business owners and entrepreneurs.
2. Government and Foundation Grants: Grant funding from organizations including Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), private foundations, and federal programs. Received two WEDC Thrive Rural Wisconsin grants ($50,000 each) and grants for Women in Business programming.
3. Event Revenue: Some events have nominal participation fees, such as the Women in Business Networking Brunch at $25 per person to cover brunch costs provided by LakeTime Management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

VCEDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free one-on-one business consulting, educational workshops, and community development programs to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Vilas County, Wisconsin. Its service portfolio includes business planning assistance, the Women in Business program, a youth entrepreneurship program in partnership with Northland Pines High School, and a county-wide broadband expansion initiative that increased coverage from 5% to 86% of addresses between 2020 and 2025.

Product overview

VCEDC (Vilas County Economic Development Corporation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing comprehensive economic development services rather than a technology product. The organization offers a suite of programs including One-on-One Business Consulting, Educational Events (Lunch & Learn webinars), the Women in Business Program, Youth Entrepreneurship Program, and the Broadband Expansion Initiative. These services work together to support entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community development across Vilas County, Wisconsin. VCEDC also maintains a Business Resources Network partnering with Nicolet College, SBDC, SBA, and other organizations to provide holistic business support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women in Business Program: A program designed to support, connect, and inspire women entrepreneurs and professionals throughout Vilas County through networking opportunities, educational events, mentorship, and community connections.

Products and services

• One-on-One Business Consulting Personalized consulting services for small business owners and entrepreneurs, covering business planning, marketing, financial guidance, digital strategies, and access to grants and loans. Delivered free of charge by the Executive Director and program staff in-person or via phone/email throughout Vilas County.
• Educational Events (Lunch & Learn) Free virtual workshops covering topics such as e-commerce, business taxes, grants and loans, digital platforms, marketing, and social media for small business owners. Delivered as webinar series and supplemented by in-person networking events.
• Women in Business Program Program offering networking opportunities, educational events, mentorship, and community connections designed to support, connect, and inspire women entrepreneurs and professionals throughout Vilas County. Includes an annual Spring Networking Brunch with a nominal $25 attendance fee.
• Youth Entrepreneurship Program In partnership with Northland Pines High School, provides students hands-on experience developing business plans and pitching ideas to local business leaders through a 'Shark Tank' style competition. Over 100 students participate annually.
• Broadband Expansion Initiative County-wide high-speed internet expansion program that increased coverage from 5% in 2020 to 86% in 2025, supporting remote work, tourism, and business competitiveness. VCEDC partners with Brightspeed, Eighth Fire Communications, Norvado, and Charter Spectrum as a 'one stop shop' facilitator.
• Business Resources Network Partnership network with Nicolet College, SBDC, SBA, WWBIC, Entrepreneur Fund, WEDC, and local lenders to provide comprehensive support for business planning, funding access (loans up to $100,000 via WWBIC), and growth.
• Business of the Year Award Annual award program recognizing outstanding Vilas County businesses for their contributions to the local economy and community. Past recipients include Andy's Pontoon Saloon (2025), Eagle River Animal Hospital (2024), Private Chef Luke (2023), Trout Lake Station (2022), Camp Manitowish (2021), and Great Wisconsin Steak Company (2020).

Quantifiable outcome

• Broadband coverage increased from 5% to 86% of Vilas County addresses
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Northland Pines School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Partnership with the largest area high school to deliver the VCEDC Northland Pines High School Entrepreneur Program. Local, regional, and state business leaders provide classroom instruction, feedback, and inspiration to students through hands-on business plan development and Shark Tank-style competitions. 2025 program winners went on to win SkillsUSA State Entrepreneurship Championship.
• Nicolet CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Key educational partner providing the School of Business & Entrepreneurship with targeted workshops and 8-week Entrepreneurship Essentials course. President Kate Ferrel serves as VCEDC Board Chair. Collaboration supports workforce development and entrepreneurship throughout Vilas County and the Northwoods region.
• Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Stevens PointcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBDC provides no-cost, confidential consulting and business education to support startup, growth, and long-term business success. Andrea Gretzinger serves as business consultant and guest instructor for VCEDC programs. SBA services in Vilas County delivered in partnership with SBDC.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency supporting small businesses through loan programs, training, and guidance. SBA services in Vilas County are delivered in partnership with UW-Stevens Point Small Business Development Center. SBA funding referenced as key investment source for Northwoods businesses.
• WWBIC (Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpens doors of opportunity by providing access to financial products, business training, and coaching. Offers loans up to $100,000 with focus on women, veterans, and underserved entrepreneurs. President Kathryn Dunn speaks at VCEDC Women in Business events.
• eFund (Entrepreneur Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps small businesses in Northern Wisconsin access capital, strategic planning, and expert coaching. Consultants bring deep experience in community banking, branding, and sustainable business development. Referrals and collaboration with VCEDC programs.
• Associated BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial institution providing support for VCEDC programs including Lunch & Learn events on business taxes, grants, and loans. Dustin Peterson serves as Business Banking Relationship Manager and panelist for VCEDC events.
• People's BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial banking partner with Erin McCormick serving as VCEDC Board Member. Provides financial expertise for business consulting and event participation.
• Internet Service Providers (Broadband Workgroup)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCEDC formed the VCEDC Broadband Workgroup to partner with Internet Service Providers including Charter Spectrum, Brightspeed, Eighth Fire Communications, and Norvado. VCEDC serves as 'one stop shop' facilitating broadband expansion across Vilas County.
• Town of PhelpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partnership for Phelps Bluff Redevelopment Project. Town Supervisor Jeremy Ryan leads project presentation with VCEDC. VCEDC helped secure over $130,000 for planning and demolition costs. Project transforming 5.2 acre abandoned hospital site into mixed-use development.
• Vilas County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCEDC is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit from Vilas County government but works in collaboration with the county to grow a strong economy. Vilas County Board Supervisor Ann Konopacky and Vice Chair Carolyn Ritter serve on VCEDC Board.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Others

• Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce: Local chamber of commerce serving the broader Vilas County area with business promotion, networking events, and visitor-facing marketing. Operates as an adjacent ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor, with overlapping membership and event audiences.

Regional players

• Wisconsin Rural Partners: Wisconsin-based nonprofit advocating for rural community and economic development across the state's rural counties. Operates as a peer network and convener for organizations like VCEDC, sharing programmatic best practices and policy advocacy.
• North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission: Regional planning body serving north-central Wisconsin counties including Vilas County. Provides planning, economic development, and grant administration services with overlapping client municipalities and redevelopment project exposure.
• Nicolet College: Regional community college delivering the School of Business & Entrepreneurship and the 8-week Entrepreneurship Essentials course for VCEDC. While primarily an educational institution rather than an EDC, its president serves as VCEDC Board Chair and its workforce programs are deeply intertwined with VCEDC's mission.

Broad incumbents

• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC): State-level economic development agency that administers the Thrive Rural Wisconsin grants VCEDC has twice received. WEDC operates at much greater scale and broader geographic remit but shares VCEDC's core mission of supporting business growth, redevelopment, and rural economic vitality in Wisconsin.

Direct peers

• Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Stevens Point: Direct delivery partner to VCEDC, providing no-cost consulting and business education across Wisconsin. Both organizations serve overlapping small business clients with similar free consulting, training, and resource connection services.
• WWBIC (Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation): Wisconsin-focused nonprofit providing loans up to $100,000, business training, and coaching with an explicit focus on women, veterans, and underserved entrepreneurs. WWBIC is a core VCEDC partner for the Women in Business program and serves an overlapping clientele.
• Door County Economic Development Corporation: Wisconsin county-level EDC serving a similarly sized rural/tourism-dependent economy. Operates with comparable scope — business support, workforce development, and community redevelopment — making it one of the closest structural analogs to VCEDC in the state.
• Oneida County Economic Development Council: Adjacent Wisconsin county EDC serving the Northwoods region with overlapping small business support, workforce, and broadband-related programs. Comparable scale, geography, and target beneficiary profile.
• Entrepreneur Fund (eFund): Northern Wisconsin nonprofit lender and business coaching organization providing capital access, strategic planning, and expert coaching to small businesses. Directly collaborates with VCEDC through referrals and shared programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vilascountyedc
• Facebookfacebook.com/vcedc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vilas-county-edc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VCEDC