The Northwest Wisconsin Regional Business Fund, Inc. (NWRED) and NWRPC SBA Micro Loan program, awarded loan funding to Dustin Ochodnicky to expand Prentice Auto Service and Repair, LLC into a larger shop on Prentice’s main strip.
Automotive repair is a fast paced, ever evolving industry. Prentice Auto Service and Repair LLC provides the needed technology at an affordable rate to keep customers safely and confidently on the road. Prentice Auto has been serving automobile owners in southern Price County, specifically Prentice and the surrounding communities since 2014, when Dustin Ochodnicky opened its doors. Its customers range in age from young to old. They come from all walks as students, factory workers, retirees, parents, and public servants. These are people who demand quality repairs and services at a reasonable cost in order to operate safely and confidently on the road every day.
Prentice Auto Service and Repair LLC provides a range of auto repair services including scheduled maintenance; tire and rim replacement, balance and alignment; brake repair; comprehensive engine repair; and transmission and drive train service and repair. Each job or project is on a reservation basis, although a small percentage of drive in repair work is accepted.
From what started as Dustin working solo during the first year, has now seen steady growth into a company that employs and one other full-time mechanic, and a part-time worker.
“The growth is really tied to our mission of using our God given talents to provide the community with quality automotive service and repair at a fair and reasonable price,” Ochodnicky said.
“We’ve been growing to point of cars lining up on the street and alley. We wanted a better set up for our customers and mechanics, so this move was a necessary part of Prentice Auto Service’s expectation of quality service,” Ochodnicky added.
Ochodnicky was able to purchase a building that was for sale through using traditional bank lending from Community Financial Bank in Prentice, and gap financing from
NWRED. This funding partnership allowed Prentice Auto Service to purchase the new building. They now have access to multiple work bays in a move-in ready facility. The funding partnership between Community Financial Bank and the NWRPC SBA Micro Loan Fund allowed Ochodnicky to add an alignment machine, so Prentice Auto Service can completely service its customers from bumper to bumper.
“The possibilities are now becoming reality with this move,” Ochodnicky noted.
NWRED’s revolving loan funding and the NWRPC’s SBA Micro Loan Fund has helped Ochodnicky expand his business by purchasing his garage, obtaining new equipment, and retaining 3 jobs in Prentice, Wisconsin. To see if your business would qualify for a startup, transition or expansion loan product at NWRPC, contact loan fund manager
Ken Pearson at (715) 635-2197.