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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Read more about Fulfilling food truck fantasies

Success Story

Fulfilling food truck fantasies

Native Peoples, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

Ike’s Place Coffee is amping up Tribal members and visitors with specialty coffee drinks and breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
Read more about Collaboration helps plug housing shortage in western Wisconsin

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
Read more about Spring Green, Mazomanie vet clinics switch to cooperative ownership

Success Story

Spring Green, Mazomanie vet clinics switch to cooperative ownership

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

Forming a cooperative ensures local residents will have a veterinarian nearby to care for their dogs, cats, and other animals.
Read more about Growing Lancaster aims to attract Latino families

Success Story

Growing Lancaster aims to attract Latino families

Other, Workforce

To bring Latino families to Lancaster, the community knew it would need to make this cultural group feel welcome and ...Read more
Read more about Marshaling resources to fight COVID-19

Success Story

Marshaling resources to fight COVID-19

Health & Mental Health, Native Peoples, Workforce

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020 and stay-at-home orders were issued, the tribe had only a volunteer emergency medical ...Read more
Read more about GROWing our own teachers

Success Story

GROWing our own teachers

Education & Schools, Workforce

School districts throughout Wisconsin are struggling to recruit high-quality educators–with college degrees, state certification and expertise in their given field—and ...Read more
Read more about Vernon Food Enterprise Center: Focusing on Food and Wellness

Success Story

Vernon Food Enterprise Center: Focusing on Food and Wellness

Health & Mental Health, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

The Vernon County region in western Wisconsin is home to many small and midsize farms and food processors that had ...Read more
Read more about Fifth Season Cooperative: Connecting Food Producers with Buyers

Success Story

Fifth Season Cooperative: Connecting Food Producers with Buyers

Business

Producing high-quality food is not always enough; sometimes growers and processers need help connecting with the right markets for their ...Read more
Read more about Farm Table Foundation: Bringing Food From Farm to Table

Success Story

Farm Table Foundation: Bringing Food From Farm to Table

Business, Education & Schools, Health & Mental Health

Creating an organization that seeks to educate people about soil health and about the benefits of locally grown food can ...Read more
Read more about Woodland Regional Technical Academy: Boosting Rural Education

Success Story

Woodland Regional Technical Academy: Boosting Rural Education

Education & Schools, Workforce

Educational and career opportunities are often limited for students in rural areas. To level the educational playing field for rural ...Read more
Read more about Community First Washburn County: Mobilizing to Keep Residents Healthy

Success Story

Community First Washburn County: Mobilizing to Keep Residents Healthy

Business, Health & Mental Health

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, a statewide lockdown in March and April forced non-essential businesses to close, putting employees out ...Read more
Read more about Soil Sisters: Supporting and Celebrating Women Farmers

Success Story

Soil Sisters: Supporting and Celebrating Women Farmers

Arts & Culture, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

More than a decade ago, more women began to realize that they were choosing to become farmers in hopes of ...Read more
Read more about Snow River Cooperative: Employees Buy Former Company

Success Story

Snow River Cooperative: Employees Buy Former Company

Workforce

When Columbian Home Products announced in fall 2019 that it would close its Crandon division, Snow River Products, the eight ...Read more
Read more about Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club of Juneau County: Supporting Entrepreneurs

Success Story

Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club of Juneau County: Supporting Entrepreneurs

Business, Education & Schools, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

Juneau County is a largely rural area in west central Wisconsin with a population of about 27,000. Manufacturing had been ...Read more