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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Program

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program

Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Workforce

This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to 1) help microenterprise startup and growth through a ...Read more

Program

Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants

Sustainability

This program helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.

Program

Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants

Housing

Grant recipients supervise groups of very low- and low-income individuals and families as they construct their own homes in rural ...Read more

Program

Rural Housing Site Loans

Housing

Rural Housing site loans provide two types of loans to purchase and develop housing sites for low- and moderate-income families.

Program

Transition Incentives Program (TIP)

Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Veterans

The Transition Incentives Program provides land owners or operators with two additional annual rental payments on land enrolled in expiring ...Read more

Program

Housing Solutions in Rural Recreation Communities (Webinar)

Housing, Parks & Outdoor Recreation

This webinar, hosted by the EPA Office of Community Revitalization, USDA - Rural Development, and HUD, addresses housing in gateway ...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

Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) Program

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

The Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) Program develops, maintains, and keeps a computer database of businesses in the state that are ...Read more

Program

Disabled-Veteran Owned Business (DVB) Program

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Veterans

The DVB Program certifies businesses that are at least 51% owned, controlled, and actively managed by an identified service-disabled veteran ...Read more

Program

Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) Program

Business, Native Peoples, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

​​The Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) Program was the first diverse business certification program for the State of Wisconsin.

Program

Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit

Veterans

The veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit is a credit equal to the amount of property taxes paid during ...Read more

Program

Veteran Housing and Recovery Program

Education & Schools, Health & Mental Health, Housing, Veterans, Workforce

​​The Veteran Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP)​ provides secure and safe housing to veterans while they receive training and services ...Read more

Program

Hire Heroes Program

Business, Veterans, Workforce

The Hire Heroes Transitional Jobs Program for Veterans is a public/private partnership that offers local businesses access to subsidized veteran ...Read more

Program

Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP)

Veterans

The ​Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP) connects veterans to community services and provides case management and support, with a ...Read more

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.

Program

The BioPreferred Program: Voluntary Labeling Initiative

Business, Health & Mental Health, Sustainability, Workforce

The BioPreferred Program allows businesses to apply for a certification, which lets allows them to display the USDA Certified Biobased ...Read more

Program

Agriculture Innovation Center Program

Business

The Agriculture Innovation Center Program funds Agriculture Innovation Centers (Centers) that provide technical and business development assistance to Agricultural Producers.