Wabash County Knows How to Help Your Business Grow!
The Wabash County business community has a wealth of expertise designed to assist small businesses along their path from idea generation through business expansion. Grow Wabash County is the premium clearinghouse for accessing the wealth of information and networks. Please contact Grow Wabash County with any questions about the businesses and programs listed below.
Business Startup Tools
INBiz
INBiz is the state of Indiana's one-stop resource for entrepreneurs looking to navigate the steps to start a business. Developed within Indiana’s Secretary of State's Business Services Division, businesses will find everything they need to get their business started, from registering a business name to choosing the correct business legal structure and ensuring law compliance.
Business Licenses & Permits
Certain businesses may require specific city and/or state permits or licenses. To determine what your business may need, contact Keith Gillenwater at Grow Wabash County.
For inquiries:
- City of Wabash Building Department
- Town of North Manchester Building & Code Enforcement Department
- Wabash County Advisory Plan Commission
- Wabash County Health Department
State inquiries can also be addressed on the INBiz website from the Indiana Secretary of State.
Entrepreneurial Network
NEIN Venture Hub
The 11-county Northeast Indiana (NEIN) region is home to a variety of vibrant communities, rich with the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation!
Whether you've got an idea or are growing your empire, this hub is an inclusive, accessible place that brings together the entrepreneurial resources and support to help you reach your goals.
Welcome to your NEIN Venture Hub!
Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC)
The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC) is a non-profit organization focused on providing entrepreneurs in northeast Indiana with the knowledge and resources they need to take their business idea from being a dream to a reality.
Grow Wabash County is proud to partner with the NIIC by providing access to entrepreneur coach, Angela Harrison, to provide FREE, personalized support for entrepreneurs and small business owners at all stages of development and operation.
Angie is in the Grow Wabash County office every Wednesday from 9 - 4 p.m. to chat with anyone thinking about their next business venture or entrepreneurial mission. She can also meet with you virtually to fit the busy lifestyle of an entrepreneur on the go!
Northeast Indiana SBDC
Wes Shie hosts office hours in the Grow Wabash County office periodically. He joined the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) staff as a business advisor in 2010 and has served as the Regional Director since 2014.
Shie came to the SBDC with years of experience in banking and financial services from previously working as a relationship manager for Wells Fargo and Chase Bank. Prior to working in commercial banking, Shie also served as a finance specialist for the Community Development Corporation (CDC) of Fort Wayne.
To book a time to meet with Shie, please email wshie@isbdc.org or contact Grow Wabash County at 260-563-5258.
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Funding Options
Brightpoint
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Founded in 2010, the Brightpoint Development Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable business loans, financial education, and housing development services in Northeast Indiana. The Brightpoint Development Fund is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) micro lender and a U.S. Department of the Treasury Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
Legend Fund
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has announced the launch of the state’s Legend Fund, a loan participation program designed to help entrepreneurs and small businesses gain access to funds needed to grow.
The Legend Fund, fueled by federal funding awarded to Indiana through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), will distribute $29 million to mission-driven local lenders to increase lending to Hoosier small businesses, with an added focus on those that have been historically underserved.
The Legend Fund will support Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses by giving lenders an incentive to provide operating capital to Hoosier-based businesses. Through the program, mission-oriented and non-traditional lenders that provide debt capital for qualified purposes to Indiana-based small businesses are eligible to have a portion of those loans purchased by the IEDC, enabling lenders to then support even more entrepreneurs and small businesses. The program’s $29 million is expected to yield a minimum $50 million impact on Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Community Development Corporation of Northeast Indiana
The CDC of Northeast Indiana is City of Fort Wayne sponsored 501(c)6 not-for-profit business development organziation. Our mission is to stimulate economic growth and prosperity throughout the communities they serve in the State of Indiana, including Wabash County. We accomplish this through several loan programs inclduign SBA 504 loans, COVID-19 loans and USDA Rural Development funding, amongst many others.
SBA Loans
Small Business Administration loans from participating institutions offer more flexible terms and lower interest rates for small businesses than other sources because they are guaranteed by the federal agency. Some of Wabash County’s local lenders offering SBA loans include Bippus State Bank, Crossroads Bank, First Merchants Bank and Flagstar Bank.
