Frequently Asked Questions about the economic ecosystem of Great Beloit

The Lincoln Academy is an innovative, high quality K4-12 public charter school with a focus on rigorous academics, career exploration and character development. We are dedicated to providing scholars an equitable environment conducive to the learning process and prove what is possible when scholars are given the right combination of school culture, strong academics, career-integration and mission driven staff. The Lincoln Academy expects all scholars to graduate from high school with a clear pathway to success.

Wisconsin-resident scholars are eligible to attend The Lincoln Academy. There are no other eligibility requirements and there is no cost to attend.

Beloit College engages the intelligence, imagination, and curiosity of its students, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives marked by high achievement, personal responsibility, and public contribution in a diverse society. Our emphasis on international and interdisciplinary perspectives, the integration of knowledge with experience, and close collaboration among peers, professors, and staff equips our students to approach the complex problems of the world ethically and thoughtfully.

Our promise to every student is to provide an opportunity to build a future through flexible education in a supportive environment.

Beloit College engages the intelligence, imagination, and curiosity of its students, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives marked by high achievement, personal responsibility, and public contribution in a diverse society. Our emphasis on international and interdisciplinary perspectives, the integration of knowledge with experience, and close collaboration among peers, professors, and staff equips our students to approach the complex problems of the world ethically and thoughtfully.

Our promise to every student is to provide an opportunity to build a future through flexible education in a supportive environment.

Over one million people choose the eight-county Madison Region of south central Wisconsin as their home. We live, work and play throughout Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock, and Sauk Counties. Our Region boasts game-changing research and development while playing a critical role in the global supply chain marketplace. 

Founded in 2003, the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County represents the Latino and non-Latino business community in the greater Madison and surrounding cities. We assist and promote the interests of our members and community through advocacy and programs that make an overall impact to Dane County’s economic growth. The diverse relationship of our active members and partners is an ideal mixture of small business owners, corporate representatives, and government leaders.

There are numerous websites available to assist in your search for a building or site. Start with the Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation’s website at www.greaterbeloitworks.com and click on the “Site Selection” tab. Click on “Available Properties” to see properties listed for sale or lease, or “Gateway Business Park” to see vacant land owned by the City and/or GBEDC. If you are interested in downtown properties, try the Downtown Beloit Association’s website at www.downtownbeloit.com under the “Resources” tab. Contact the GBEDC Office for assistance at 608-364-6610.

Before you buy or lease property, inquire about the property’s zoning classification. The City has several zoning districts, and each district has a unique combination of permitted uses, conditional uses, and prohibited uses. Ideally, businesses will be able to find available space in a zoning district that lists the proposed business as a permitted (by-right) use. If the proposed business is a conditional use, a conditional use permit is necessary before the business may operate. Conditional use permit applications are considered by the Plan Commission. Contact the Planning Division at 608-364-6700 with questions about zoning issues.

Before buying or leasing property, be sure to finalize your business plan, budget, and financial projections. Creation of a marketing strategy and identifying insurance needs is also recommended at this stage. For assistance in preparing a business plan, see the organizations listed in the Resources section of this document. If you are looking for professional assistance with accounting, legal, insurance, real estate, or marketing issues, review the directory of existing businesses in Beloit at www.greaterbeloitchamber.org or www.downtownbeloit.com.

Corporate entity registration in Wisconsin is handled through the Department of Financial Institutions (www.wdfi.org). Employers required to carry worker’s compensation insurance can register with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development at www.dwd.wisconsin.gov. Be sure to register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at www.revenue.wi.gov to receive a tax identification number and sales tax number.

Helpful tip: The State of Wisconsin offers a Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal to register with all three of the above-referenced departments (DFI, DWD, and DOR). Professional licensing for certain professions is handled by the Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services at www.dsps.wi.gov.

All businesses within the City of Beloit need a Business Permit. A Business Permit is $100-$200 and applications may be obtained from the Water Resources Division (364-2888). Permit applications can also be found at www.beloitwi.gov under “How do I…Apply for a Permit.” The following licenses and permits may also be required, depending upon the nature of the business:

• Alcoholic Beverage Sales
• Operator/Bartender
• Outdoor Vending including food trucks
• Secondhand Article/Pawn Shop
• Sidewalk Café License

Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 608-364-6680 with questions about the above licenses and permits. Note: This list excludes other permits that may be required by Rock County and/or the State of Wisconsin. For example, the Rock Co. Public Health Department (https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/public-health) issues licenses for restaurants, hotels, motels, and other service establishments.

Alcohol sales and/or consumption is only allowed in certain zoning districts. A conditional use permit is required before a business may serve alcohol outdoors. Please contact the Planning Division at 608-364-6700 to inquire about where alcohol sales and/or consumption may occur. An alcohol license, available through the City Clerk’s Office (608-364-6680), is also required before a business may sell alcohol for on- and off-premise consumption.

A Building Permit is required for all new structures, additions, renovations, structural repair, and mechanical system replacement. Once the work is completed and inspected, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued. Site Plan Review is required before you may build a new structure, add to an existing structure, construct a new parking lot, or expand an existing parking lot by 25% or more. The Planning Division reviews site plans to ensure that the proposed project meets the standards of the City’s Zoning Ordinance. An approved site plan will result in the issuance of a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, which will allow you to seek a Building Permit. Architectural Review is required for every new structure, addition, exterior renovation, and sign (excluding residential buildings containing one or two units).

The City’s Outdoor Sign Regulations outline different number, size, and height standards in each zoning district. If you are planning to erect a new sign or you plan to change, move, or expand an existing sign, you will need a Sign Permit and an Architectural Review Certificate.

Outside of the downtown area, off-street parking and loading spaces are usually required for each business. Off-street parking and loading spaces are not required in the Central Business District. There are several City-owned and maintained lots to support businesses in the downtown area. When a building is constructed, expanded, or the use changes, the off-street parking standards must be met. Parking requirements vary by land use, but the number of spaces required is typically based on the size of the building (in square feet or seating capacity).

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City of Beloit Economic Development Department (www.beloitwi.gov)

• Site search, incentives, referrals, development agreements, etc.

Downtown Beloit Association (www.downtownbeloit.com)

• Marketing, site search, façade grants, special events, etc.

gener8tor (www.gener8tor.com)

• Startup accelerator, venture creation, investor network, 1:1 coaching, technical expertise

Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce (www.greaterbeloitchamber.org)

• Ambassadors, marketing, special events, networking, directory

Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation (www.greaterbeloitworks.com)

• Site selection, banks, demographic data, advocacy, workforce development, networking

Irontek (www.irontek.co)

• Downtown coworking and shared office space, startup community, business resources, conference space

Rock County Development Alliance (www.rockcountyalliance.com)

• Site selection, demographic data, workforce development, technical assistance

Rock County Jumpstart (www.rockcountyjumpstart.org)

• Business plans, marketing, incubator, accelerator

SCORE (www.score.org)

• Mentoring, workshops, business plans, growth management

Visit Beloit (www.visitbeloit.com)

• Calendar of events, tourism, marketing, directory, networking

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (www.wedc.org)

• Tax credits, grants, loans, entrepreneurship, training, certified sites, main streets

Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (www.wisconsinsbdc.org)

• Consulting, marketing, financing,

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (www.wwbic.com)

• Entrepreneurship & financial wellness training, lending, coaching