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 New UW Extension Program to support innovation in the rural economy

News

New UW Extension Program to support innovation in the rural economy

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

The Rural Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Initiative aims to equip rural entrepreneurs with business development assistance and access to financing, as well ...Read more
Read more about Protected: Wisconsin Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program

News

Protected: Wisconsin Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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 Welcoming communities resources

News

Welcoming communities resources

Arts & Culture, Other

Discover resources that demonstrate practical ideas for communities to create an environment that makes new residents feel welcome and included ...Read more
Read more about Trafffic Analysis & Design, Inc (TADI)

Program

Trafffic Analysis & Design, Inc (TADI)

Transportation

TADI specializes in solving the traffic and safety engineering needs of DOT, municipal and private clients throughout Wisconsin.
Read more about Trafffic Analysis & Design, Inc (TADI)

Support Organization

Trafffic Analysis & Design, Inc (TADI)

Transportation

TADI specializes in solving the traffic and safety engineering needs of DOT, municipal and private clients throughout Wisconsin.
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 Tourism Resources

News

Tourism Resources

Tourism

Tourism introduces people to our state from across state lines and across the world. Communities that showcase and invest in ...Read more
Read more about Health Care Resources

News

Health Care Resources

Health & Mental Health

During public forums in 2020, hundreds of rural residents told the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity that they ...Read more
Read more about Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Program

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Energy, Sustainability

Focus on Energy is Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state’s investor-owned energy utilities and ...Read more
Read more about Education Resources

News

Education Resources

Education & Schools

When rural schools thrive, so do the towns and regions around them. Read more about the organizations supporting rural education ...Read more
Read more about Bringing legal services to rural Wisconsin

News

Bringing legal services to rural Wisconsin

Other, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

Jeff is a clinical professor at the UW-Madison Law School and supervising attorney with the law school’s Law and Entrepreneurship ...Read more
Read more about Agricultural Resources

News

Agricultural Resources

Read more about the organizations supporting rural agriculture as well as grants and other programs providing financial assistance those that ...Read more
Read more about Growing her own rural roots in the Kickapoo Valley

News

Growing her own rural roots in the Kickapoo Valley

Health & Mental Health, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

For a mental health professional, the issues that emerge in counseling sessions in farm country are not miles apart from ...Read more
Read more about Wisconsin Cooperative Development Grant

Program

Wisconsin Cooperative Development Grant

Arts & Culture, Child Care, Energy, Forestry & Paper, Native Peoples, Transportation, Workforce

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is offering grants to support the development of new and existing cooperatives in Wisconsin, ...Read more
Read more about Rural creative placemaking stories

News

Rural creative placemaking stories

Arts & Culture

From the shores of Lake Superior to the Driftless area in southwest Wisconsin, rural communities are creating opportunities that promote ...Read more
Read more about Placemaking resources

News

Placemaking resources

Arts & Culture

Placemaking is a strategy that utilizes a local community’s assets, inspiration, and potential with the intention of creating public spaces ...Read more
Read more about The Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP)

Program

The Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP)

Transportation

Established in 1991, the Local Roads Improvement Program (LRIP) assists local governments in improving seriously deteriorating county highways, town roads, ...Read more
Read more about Rural transportation resources

News

Rural transportation resources

Transportation

These resources are available to rural Wisconsin communities as they explore their best opportunities to meet the transportation needs of ...Read more