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.

Search the Directory

  • Resource Type

  • Resource Category

  • Sort Order

  • Reset
Read more about USDA Community Facilities Program

Program

USDA Community Facilities Program

Child Care, Education & Schools, Health & Mental Health, Other

Community Facilities Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in ...Read more
Read more about USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Programs

Program

USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Programs

Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Sustainability

Through Rural Utilities Service Water and Environmental Programs (WEP), rural communities obtain the technical assistance and financing necessary to develop ...Read more
Read more about USDA Funding Eligibility Map

Program

USDA Funding Eligibility Map

Arts & Culture, Broadband & Internet, Child Care, Housing, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Workforce

USDA's mapping tool that allows the user to determine if their project is in an eligible area for funding.
Read more about USDA Resource Guides

Program

USDA Resource Guides

Arts & Culture, Business, Child Care, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Workforce

List of resource guides from USDA
Read more about The Rural Data Portal

Program

The Rural Data Portal

Housing, Other

The RURAL DATA PORTAL is a simple, easy to use, on-line resource that provides essential information on the social, economic, ...Read more
Read more about Preservation Revolving Loan Fund

Program

Preservation Revolving Loan Fund

Housing

The Housing Assistance Council’s Preservation Revolving Loan Fund (PRLF) provides needed capital to preserve and rehabilitate Section 515 rental housing ...Read more
Read more about Housing Assistance Council’s Loan Fund

Program

Housing Assistance Council’s Loan Fund

Housing

HAC’s revolving loan fund provides vital capital to rural housing developers of all types. HAC provides flexible capital to meet ...Read more
Read more about Start In Wisconsin

Program

Start In Wisconsin

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

Start In Wisconsin will power connections to start, scale and accelerate area entrepreneurs. Start In Wisconsin will be a platform ...Read more
Read more about Green Tier Legacy Communities

Program

Green Tier Legacy Communities

Business, Energy, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Sustainability, Tourism, Transportation

Green Tier Legacy Communities Charter focuses on building sustainable and resilient communities. Those that participate benefit from the knowledge and ...Read more
Read more about Green Tier

Program

Green Tier

Energy, Forestry & Paper, Other, Sustainability, Transportation, Workforce

Green Tier recognizes businesses that go above and beyond environmental regulations and works with you to acknowledge your commitment to ...Read more
Read more about Enviro-Check

Program

Enviro-Check

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Workforce

Enviro-Check helps ensure your business is in good standing with environmental requirements. By voluntarily auditing your practices, you can reduce ...Read more
Read more about Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP)

Program

Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP)

Energy, Sustainability, Workforce

Wisconsin’s Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) provides free and confidential assistance to help small businesses proactively understand and comply ...Read more
Read more about State Lead By Example

Program

State Lead By Example

Energy, Sustainability

State Lead by Example as an implementation initiative, to ensure that all State of Wisconsin agencies are collaboratively working toward ...Read more
Read more about Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change

Program

Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change

Sustainability

The Task Force on Climate Change will advise and assist the governor in developing a strategy to mitigate and adapt ...Read more
Read more about Clean Energy Plan

Program

Clean Energy Plan

Energy, Sustainability

The Wisconsin Clean Energy Plan aims to change the adverse trajectory of climate change impacts.
Read more about Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program

Program

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program

Transportation

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion ...Read more
Read more about Capital Access Clinic

Program

Capital Access Clinic

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

The Capital Access Clinic provides assistance to Wisconsin entrepreneurs who are seeking financing for their business. Through the Capital Access ...Read more
Read more about Stronger Together-Joint Planning Resource Guide

Program

Stronger Together-Joint Planning Resource Guide

Broadband & Internet, Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Workforce

Federal funding and planning strategies designed to promote sustainable economic development in rural America
Read more about Thrive Rural Framework

Program

Thrive Rural Framework

Health & Mental Health

The Thrive Rural Framework is a new tool to help you take stock, target action, and gauge progress on equitable ...Read more
Read more about Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program

Program

Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program

Business

The Rural Cooperative Development Grant program improves the economic condition of rural areas by helping individuals and businesses start, expand ...Read more