'I just didn't know those things were available to us': Local business owner shares story, resources for veterans
GREENDALE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The latest reports show the amount of state spending in Wisconsin going to disabled veterans is falling, but agency leaders say it doesn't have to be that way. The support is here on so many levels. We caught up with one veteran entrepreneur in Greendale.
Mike Doble has spent the past seven years running Explorium Brewpub at Southridge Mall, but from 1992 to 1998, this was Doble's life in the U.S. Army.
"Honestly transitioning out of the military to civilian life was actually kind of difficult," said Doble, Explorium BrewPub Owner.
The soldier and his wife moved to Milwaukee, taking a civilian job that just didn't fit. So, he opened an engineering business, something that felt a little uneasy at first.
"I really didn't lean heavily on my veteran status for any grants or assistance or what not and it's really kind of unfortunate because I just didn't know those things were available to us," said Doble.
Stories like Doble's have the Wisconsin Department of Administration motivated to spread the word about resources available to veteran entrepreneurs.
"We are extremely proud in Wisconsin to be ranked fourth in the nation for helping veterans get jobs," said Kathy Blumenfield, Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary.
At a virtual roundtable meeting Wednesday Jan. 31, discussion centered on grants and programs for veteran owned businesses, where to apply and deadlines.
Watch the complete roundtable meeting above.
Wisconsin has a goal to see one percent of state purchases made going to disabled veteran businesses. Fiscal Year 2021 came in under that at 0.51 percent, and in Fiscal Year 2022, the number fell even lower to 0.37 percent.
"Since I've started this business and I got involved with some veterans groups and the veterans chamber of commerce they made me aware of a lot of resources and counseling and assistance and grants and all those things," said Doble.
Doble's now proud to share what he's learned with other veterans who dream of opening their own businesses too.
"And the first thing I tell them is go to the Veteran Chamber of Commerce. They are there as kind of a clearing house of all these things that are available," said Doble.
Here are several links to resources:
WDVA Grants to Nonprofit Organizations
Application for veteran's employment grant program
Veterans employment and transition support grant program application instructions