Resource Directory

Rural Economic Development

RESOURCES AND GRANTS FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES

Whether you’re an individual, a business or a community organization, you can use the directory below to search a vast library of resources, tools and services. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), its economic development partners and other organizations around the state offer a range of resources on all aspects of economic well-being, from childcare and education to businesses and housing. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out to us directly, we want to help.

Photo of the owner of J&J Sports in Lake Tomahawk.

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Success Story

Collaboration helps plug housing shortage in western Wisconsin

Energy, Housing, Sustainability, Workforce

Meeting the goal to build a 50-unit apartment building in downtown River Falls with affordable rents and load it with ...Read more

Program

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Energy, Sustainability

Focus on Energy is Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state’s investor-owned energy utilities and ...Read more

Program

Wisconsin Cooperative Development Grant

Arts & Culture, Child Care, Energy, Forestry & Paper, Native Peoples, Transportation, Workforce

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is offering grants to support the development of new and existing cooperatives in Wisconsin, ...Read more

Program

Rural Energy Savings Program

Energy

The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) provides loans to rural utilities and other companies who provide energy efficiency loans to ...Read more

Program

Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment Financing

Energy, Sustainability

EIR will guarantee loans to projects that retool, repower, repurpose, or replace energy infrastructure that has ceased operations, or enable ...Read more

Program

Transitioning Tribal Colleges and Universities to Clean Energy

Education & Schools, Energy

Under this program, Tribal Colleges and Universities apply for (1) clean energy project and curriculum planning (Topic Area 1); and ...Read more

Program

Grid Resilience State/Tribal Formula Grant Program

Energy, Other, Sustainability

The Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants program is designed to strengthen and modernize America’s power grid against natural ...Read more

Program

Section 242 Hydroelectric Incentive Payments

Energy

The hydroelectric production incentive payments are a benefit available for electric energy generation and sold for a specified 10-year period.

Program

Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) Program

Energy

The Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program provides communities with expertise and tools to achieve their clean energy goals.

Program

Dairyland Power Project Facilitation

Business, Energy, Housing, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

Dairyland Cooperative's Energy Management Team can assemble a project team to help bring projects to fruition by focusing on its ...Read more

Program

Rural Economic Development Loan Program

Business, Child Care, Energy, Health & Mental Health

Low interest rate gap-financing may be available to support qualifying business or community development projects.

Support Organization

Dairyland Power Cooperative

Energy

Dairyland Power Cooperative is a generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative providing the wholesale electrical requirements for 24 distribution cooperatives and ...Read more

Program

Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grants

Energy, Sustainability, Workforce

The Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program awards financial assistance to small- and medium-sized manufacturers in energy communities to ...Read more

Program

Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands

Energy, Sustainability

The Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs assists Indian tribes in addressing barriers to developing their ...Read more

Program

Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas

Business, Energy, Sustainability

The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program seeks to improve the resilience, reliability, and affordability of energy ...Read more

Program

Resource Guide for Rural Entrepreneurs

Arts & Culture, Broadband & Internet, Business, Energy, Housing, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Veterans, Workforce

This multimedia guide provides resources for start-ups and already-established rural businesses.

Program

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants

Energy, Sustainability

This program assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing Renewable Energy Development ...Read more

Program

Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program

Business, Energy, Sustainability, Transportation, Veterans, Workforce

The purpose of the HBIIP is to increase significantly the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel ...Read more

Program

Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program

Energy, Sustainability

This program provides loan guarantees up to $250 million to assist in the development, construction, and retrofitting of new and ...Read more

Program

Advanced Biofuel Payment Program

Energy, Sustainability

This program’s goal is to increase the production of advanced biofuels.