Business financing in Door County.

Small business financing is money you borrow — or receive as a grant — to start, operate, or grow a business. It comes in several forms:

**Loans:** You receive a lump sum and repay it over time with interest. These are the most common type.

**Lines of credit:** A flexible pool of money you can draw from as needed — useful for managing cash flow between seasons, which matters a lot in Door County's tourism-driven economy.

**Microloans:** Smaller loans (often under $50,000) designed for newer or smaller businesses that don't yet qualify for larger bank loans.

**Grants:** Money you don't have to repay, usually from government agencies or nonprofits. They're competitive and often come with reporting requirements.

**SBA-guaranteed loans:** The U.S. Small Business Administration doesn't lend money directly — instead, it backs loans made by approved local lenders, which reduces the lender's risk and can make it easier for you to qualify.

For most small business owners in Door County, the smartest first step is talking to a local Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), a credit union, or a regional bank before going anywhere else.

Door County's economy is heavily shaped by tourism, hospitality, agriculture (especially cherries and apples), fishing, construction trades, and small retail. That means many businesses here are seasonal, owner-operated, or run by solo contractors — and traditional big-bank lenders often don't understand that reality well.

Here's the good news: many local and regional lenders specifically account for seasonal revenue patterns when reviewing applications. You may qualify even if:

- Your business is less than two years old

- Your income is seasonal or irregular

- You don't have a perfect credit score

- You are self-employed or a sole proprietor

- You use an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead of a Social Security Number

ITIN holders are eligible for many small business loans through CDFIs and ITIN-friendly lenders. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to start or finance a business in Wisconsin.

Common qualifying businesses in Door County include:

- Vacation rental owners and hospitality operators

- Landscaping, painting, roofing, and general contractors

- Retail shops, restaurants, and food producers

- Fishing charter operators and outdoor recreation businesses

- Farmstead and agritourism operations

Lenders will typically look at your time in business, annual revenue, personal credit history, and whether you have any collateral (property, equipment, or inventory you could put up as security).

Before you meet with a lender, gather the following. Having these ready speeds things up and shows lenders you're serious.

**For all applicants:**

- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or consular ID)

- ITIN or Social Security Number

- Two to three years of personal tax returns (or business tax returns if incorporated)

- Recent bank statements (last 3–6 months)

- A simple business plan or one-page description of your business and how you'll use the funds

- Profit-and-loss statement or income summary (your accountant can help prepare this)

**If your business is already operating:**

- Business bank account statements

- Any existing business licenses or permits (Wisconsin requires these for many trades)

- Lease or property documents, if applicable

**If you're applying for an SBA-backed loan:**

- SBA borrower forms (your local lender will provide these)

- Personal financial statement

- Business debt schedule (a list of what you already owe)

**For ITIN applicants:**

- ITIN letter from the IRS

- Two or more years of ITIN-filed tax returns

- Proof of address (utility bill, lease agreement)

Don't worry if you don't have everything perfect. CDFIs and nonprofit lenders are experienced at working with incomplete documentation and can help you get organized.