Every three years CAP surveys low-income households in its five county service area of Portage, Marquette, Outagamie, Waupaca and Waushara counties to assess their needs.

The CAP Services' board of directors recently approved addressing the need for more living-wage jobs through its Jobs and Business Development Program. The program catalyzes the creation of living-wage jobs by offering a menu of services both to low-income people trying to start a business and potential employers hoping to expand. These services include technical assistance, gap financing, loan packaging and customized space at below-market rents.

Self-employment technical assistance is available at no charge to Portage County residents whose income is at or below the federal poverty guideline, currently $25,755 for a household of three, or to employers committing to creating jobs that will be filled by low-income individuals.

CAP's business development coordinators help entrepreneurs develop their business plan, identify capital needs and assemble a financing package that can include gap financing from CAP. CAP's financing is often integral to ensuring the business has sufficient capital to begin or expand. From 2002 to 2006, CAP made 85 loans for $3.37 million that leveraged more than $9.25 million in other public and private financing.

Some of the businesses assisted by CAP during the past five years include People's Meat Market, Diamond Machining, NTS Athletic Development, Portesi Italian Foods and Colligan's Bakery. Colligan's also leases production space in one of CAP's business incubators.

In addition to financing, some businesses need additional space to accommodate growth. These businesses can take advantage of CAP's lease/purchase program. In this program, CAP purchases or builds a facility designed to the business' specifications and leases it back to the business with an option to purchase. Businesses are required to create at least one living-wage job with health benefits filled by a low- or moderate-income person for every $50,000 of the project cost.

Area businesses that have participated in the lease/purchase program include Emmons-Napp, Gamber-Johnson, Golden County Foods, American Governor and Central Waters Brewing Company. These businesses have created more than 100 living-wage jobs.