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

Entrepreneurship Partner Grant

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

Grants to encourage the formation of entrepreneurship support programs and to develop startup and emerging growth companies in Wisconsin.

Program

Entrepreneurial Micro-Grants

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

Grants to support business planning and strategy for Wisconsin entrepreneurs and small business owners, administered through the Center for Technology ...Read more

Program

Capital Catalyst Program

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

Matching grants to seed funds managed by local communities and other eligible entities to provide capital to high-growth startups and ...Read more

Program

How to Pursue Grant Funding for Your Historic Preservation Group

Arts & Culture, Other

This guide will help increase your historic preservation group's chance at receiving a grant. The guide includes tips to grant ...Read more

Program

Rural Community Development Initiative Grants

Housing, Other

RCDI grants are awarded to help non-profit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities and federally recognized tribes support ...Read more

Program

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants

Energy, Sustainability

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems ...Read more

Program

Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Workforce

The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations.

Program

Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge

Arts & Culture, Broadband & Internet, Housing, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Transportation

The Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge provides cooperative agreement funds to help provide planning support, technical assistance, and training to foster ...Read more

Program

Farmers Market Promotion Program

Business

The Farmers Market Promotion Program funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to ...Read more

Program

Local Food Promotion Program

Business

The Local Food Promotion Program funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage ...Read more

Program

Business & Industry Loan Guarantees in Wisconsin

Business

This program provides loan guarantees to commercial lenders for loans to eligible rural businesses.

Program

System for Award Management Registration Assistance

Business

To do business with the Federal Government, businesses must register in the System for Award Management (SAM). The Wisconsin Procurement ...Read more

Program

Virtual Knowledge Outreach (VKO) Video Series

Business

WPI has developed a series of Virtual Knowledge Outreach (VKO) videos as a best practices and next steps resource for ...Read more

Support Organization

Wisconsin Procurement Institute – Wisconsin's APEX Accelerator

Business, Workforce

The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) is Wisconsin’s APEX Accelerator, operated under the Department of Defense (DoD), Office of Small Business ...Read more

Program

Vibrant Spaces Grant

Assists with creating vibrant and engaging communities that make it easier to recruit and retain residents, sustain a robust labor ...Read more

News

Helping rural communities find their uniqueness

Arts & Culture, Other

Kietra Olson hopes to help rural communities define what makes them special and come up with ways to display those ...Read more

News

Child care in rural Wisconsin: Challenges, a crossroads and hopeful opportunities

Child Care

We know child care access and affordability are critical for Wisconsin’s workforce productivity and growth, particularly in rural Wisconsin.

Program

Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Loan Guarantees

Broadband & Internet, Business

The loan and loan guarantee program offers financial assistance to eligible service providers that will construct, improve, or expand telecommunication ...Read more

Program

Fast Forward-Worker Training Grants

Business, Workforce

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development offers grants to Wisconsin businesses to train and retain highly skilled workers.

Program

Job Training Programs

Workforce

The federal government offers training programs for adults, dislocated workers, and youth who are eligible under the Workforce Innovation and ...Read more