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

Rebuilding Economic Vibrancy After a Major Pandemic (REVAMP) Program

A central part of the Office of Rural Prosperity’s mission is assisting community leaders in fostering vibrant, prosperous and resilient ...Read more

Support Organization

Office of Rural Prosperity

Arts & Culture, Broadband & Internet, Business, Housing, Other

As part of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the Office of Rural Prosperity seeks to foster vibrant, prosperous and ...Read more

News

Addressing rural Wisconsin’s workforce challenges

Forestry & Paper, Workforce

The Workforce Innovation Grant (WIG) Program, with grant rounds announced in January and June 2022, aims to help communities throughout ...Read more

News

A collective approach to solving rural Wisconsin’s challenges

Business, Native Peoples, Other

As a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, David has always experienced nature as a ...Read more

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

News

Building relationships, bolstering rural communities

Other

Along the way to her job at the Office of Rural Prosperity, Beth picked up a wealth of experience working ...Read more

Program

USDA Rural Workforce Guide

Workforce

This guide was created for community leaders and other local entities to help them access resources to create jobs, train ...Read more

Program

Rural LISC Loan Products

Business, Child Care, Education & Schools, Health & Mental Health, Housing

Rural LISC has a variety of flexible lending products designed to help local groups bring development projects to fruition.

Program

Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Visualization

Broadband & Internet

The Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Visualization allows users to investigate the percentage of ACP enrollment participation by ZIP code, and ...Read more

Support Organization

Madison Regional Economic Partnership

Business, Health & Mental Health, Other

Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) is the economic development agency for the eight-county Madison Region of south-central Wisconsin.

Support Organization

Rural LISC

Broadband & Internet, Business, Housing, Other, Workforce

With residents and partners, Rural LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, ...Read more

Program

Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program

Forestry & Paper, Veterans

Popularly referred to as the 2501 Program, this program ensures underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers, and foresters get needed resources ...Read more

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

Program

Ally Grant

Business, Other

The Ally Grant pilot initiative aims to foster the development of new and/or emerging diverse-based nonprofit organizations that support diverse ...Read more

News

Launching initiatives to meet rural Wisconsin’s needs

Other, Tourism

Danielle is completely enamored with Wisconsin’s small towns—a revelation that has come about as she has traveled around rural Wisconsin ...Read more

News

Pay as You Save: A forward-looking model for home retrofits

Energy, Housing, Sustainability

The costs involved with decarbonization upgrades in homes challenge homeowners, program managers, and policy leaders alike. An inclusive model would ...Read more

Program

Wisconsin Investment Pilot

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

The WIP Program is intended to provide capital to those companies that have the potential to add to Wisconsin's economic ...Read more

Program

Ready for Reuse Loan and Grant Program

Other, Sustainability

Ready for Reuse loans and grants are used for environmental cleanup of hazardous substances or petroleum at brownfields throughout Wisconsin.

Program

Technology Development Loan Program

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

Provides direct financial assistance to startup and emerging growth companies in Wisconsin that are developing and commercializing innovative products and ...Read more

Program

SBIR/STTR Matching Grant

Business

Grants to stimulate technological innovation by supporting technology-based Wisconsin small businesses, administered through the Center for Technology Commercialization.