Are you finding yourself unable to move forward with a construction or expansion project due to current market conditions and your appraisal comes in to low?  Intercity has been able to assist with finding the additional capital, or gap financing available through Central Wisconsin Economic Development’s (CWED) Revolving Loan Fund. This fund was formerly administered through Marathon County Development Corporation (McDevco).

CWED offers very attractive rates, currently beginning at 2% for 7 years for equipment purchases and 10 years for most real estate loans. There are some guidelines, as follows, for qualifying:

Eligibility and Guidelines

• Loan funds may be used to finance acquisition of existing business, land, building, and equipment; working capital; or expansion projects.
• Businesses must be located in Adams, Marathon, Portage, or Wood County.
• There must be a minimum of one dollar in private funds available for every dollar in CWED loan funds requested, and the applicant must provide personal equity in an amount at least equal to 10% of the total project cost.
• One full-time job is to be created or retained for each $20,000 loaned.
• The business shall be obligated to maintain operations within the municipality for the term of the loan.
• Projects must be completed within 24 months of the date of loan approval.
• Personal guaranties are required.
• Refinancing of existing debt is not eligible.

With these attractive rates and terms, your next project can get off the ground even with these difficult current market conditions.  Intercity can help you with the application and loan presentation with CWED Loan review Committee, and will be right by your side through the entire process.  Contact me, Sean Strahota, at 715-359-4231.

Intercity State Bank is excited to announce they have new neighbors at their Wausau location. The Behavioral Health Clinic of Wausau (BHC) recently relocated their office to allow them more room for services in one location. BHC was founded in December 2012 by Owner and Clinic Director, Shannon Schaefer, Ph.D. Their mission is to provide the highest quality, state-of-the art mental health services. Their professional staff includes licensed psychologists, psychotherapists, and a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Their mental health professionals provide a variety of services to children, adolescents, adults, families and couples, including: individual, family and couples therapy; psychological assessment; and medication management. Welcome, BHC!

Thanks to all of our customers and employees for helping to raise $1,000 in sponsorship of Adam Domino/Special Olympics! Adam once again braved the frigid temperatures for the Polar Plunge held at Sunnyvale Park. Way to go Adam! Together, we can make a difference!

Adam Domino is a Special Olympian who chooses to make a difference in our community by using his talents and tough skin! Adam has been plunging into our local Arctic waters for the past 13 years and, once again this year, Adam will be taking the plunge in Man Made Lake at Sunnyvale Park in Wausau. The plunge takes place on Saturday, February 22nd, 2014.

We are encouraging customers and local community members to stop in and donate at least $1.00 for a Polar Bear. All proceeds will go to Adam Domino and the Special Olympics Wisconsin-North Central Region. If you are unable to stop in at the bank, we are also accepting checks by mail, made payable to Special Olympics. Donations will be collected until February 20th, 2014.

Help us reach our goal of $1,000 because we’re Freezin’ for a Reason with Adam!

• The Polar Plunge is the largest fundraising event for Special Olympics Wisconsin-North Central Region.
• Raised funds benefit the programs, competitions and services that Special Olympics provides to more than 1,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in our community. Your business is making a difference in the lives of athletes right here in the Wausau area and Central Wisconsin.
• In 2013, 600 individuals took the Plunge, raising more than $115,000 for Special Olympics.

Most of us have shopped online without suffering negative consequences (other than maybe a larger-than-expected credit card bill!). With the holidays approaching, millions of us will be online, searching for and then buying those perfect gifts. That makes now a good time to talk about different ways that scammers try to take advantage of us, such as setting up fake websites or stealing our credit card information.

When selecting a website to purchase an item, be wary of online stores offering a price that is dramatically cheaper than anyone else. The reason they may be so cheap is because after you purchase your item, what you receive in the mail is a counterfeit or stolen item, or in some cases is simply never even shipped. Indicators of fraudulent websites include:

• There is no phone number to call for sales or support-related questions.
• The website domain name is different than the domain name it uses for email addresses or other contact information.
• The website uses poor grammar or spelling.

Click here to read more ways to be safe online.

We are providing advance notice of fee increases on a small number of services. These changes will take effect January 2014, and reflect real cost increases since 2010. Click here for the new rate sheet information.

EVERYDAY TIPS TO STAY SAFE ONLINE

Throughout National Cyber Security Awareness Month, we urge every American to help improve the nation’s cyber resilience and take the following simple steps to keep themselves, their identities, and their information safe online. For example:

• Set strong passwords, and don’t share them with anyone.
• Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized by installing updates.
• Maintain an open dialogue with your family, friends, and community about Internet safety.
• Limit the amount of personal information you post online, and use privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely.
• Be cautious about what you receive or read online – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Learn more about how you can do your part and what it takes to remain secure at www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect.