Every state has regions recognized by the federal government - the Economic Development Agency (EDA) - to help communities plan and to help businesses grow. On this episode, Jon Bingol, the head of Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission for western Wisconsin’s nine counties, joins. Bingol talks about how plans that impact how cities grow, handle hazardous situations and plan, including recreation. Bingol also helped hand more than 560 businesses a $10,000 check to put them into vacant commercial space to stimulate the economy as the pandemic eased. He talks about The Upper Midwest Manufacturing Alliance or TUMMA’s work to encourage people to get employed in manufacturing. We also learn about Revolving Loan Funds available to help businesses that just can’t get the final financing they need – called gap funding — and how they may be able to apply for these loans that can fill that gap. Once repaid, they get loaned to the next company. These are all funded with your taxpayer dollars. Listen in to learn more.