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 Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club of Juneau County: Supporting Entrepreneurs

Success Story

Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club of Juneau County: Supporting Entrepreneurs

Business, Education & Schools, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

Juneau County is a largely rural area in west central Wisconsin with a population of about 27,000. Manufacturing had been ...Read more
Read more about Door County Emergency Support Coalition: Help for the Homebound

Success Story

Door County Emergency Support Coalition: Help for the Homebound

Health & Mental Health, Other

When the COVID-19 pandemic left many people isolated at home, the Door County Fire Chiefs Association joined forces with local ...Read more
Read more about Cuba City Presidential Plaza – Community Gathering Space

Success Story

Cuba City Presidential Plaza – Community Gathering Space

Arts & Culture, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Tourism

Cuba City is a thriving agricultural and business community in southwest Wisconsin, and a neighbor to Platteville and Dubuque—but one ...Read more
Read more about Alliant Energy: Bringing Solar Power to Low-Income Communities

Success Story

Alliant Energy: Bringing Solar Power to Low-Income Communities

Energy, Housing, Sustainability

Alliant Energy wants to expand access to solar energy to help reduce its dependence on fossil fuels for generating electricity—but ...Read more
Read more about Qualified New Business Venture (QNBV) Program

Program

Qualified New Business Venture (QNBV) Program

Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Workforce

Eligible investors receive a Wisconsin income tax credit equal to 25 percent of the value of the investment made in ...Read more
Read more about Regional Economic Development Directors

Program

Regional Economic Development Directors

Business

Regional Economic Development Directors provide personalized support for the specific business development needs of your community, coordinating inputs from various ...Read more
Read more about Wisconsin Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit

Program

Wisconsin Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit

Business

Wisconsin is well known for our manufacturing. We provide incentives to manufacturers to maximize their production here including the Manufacturing ...Read more
Read more about Historic Preservation Tax Credit (HTC) Program

Program

Historic Preservation Tax Credit (HTC) Program

Arts & Culture, Business

The Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program provides transferable tax credits to eligible entities rehabilitating certified historic buildings to incent reinvestment ...Read more
Read more about Diverse Business Development Program

Program

Diverse Business Development Program

Business, Workforce

The goal of the Diverse Business Development (DBD) Program is to support existing, new and expanding minority-, woman-, LGBT- and ...Read more
Read more about Connect Communities Program

Program

Connect Communities Program

Connect Communities supplements the Main Street program by expanding services to more downtowns across the state. Connect Communities provides training ...Read more
Read more about Entrepreneurial Training Program; Entrepreneurial Training Program Grants

Program

Entrepreneurial Training Program; Entrepreneurial Training Program Grants

Business, Education & Schools, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

The Entrepreneurial Training Program provides expert guidance on business plan development to Wisconsin entrepreneurs and small businesses through an 8 ...Read more
Read more about Brownfields Grant Program

Program

Brownfields Grant Program

The goal of the Brownfields Grant Program provides funds to support community redevelopment in commercial and industrial sites that have ...Read more
Read more about Brownfield Site Assessment Grants

Program

Brownfield Site Assessment Grants

The goal of the Brownfield Site Assessment Grant Program supports community redevelopment by providing grants of up to $150,000 to ...Read more
Read more about Wisconsin Downtown Action Council

Program

Wisconsin Downtown Action Council

Arts & Culture

Wisconsin Downtown Action Council is a statewide organization established to facilitate the revitalization of Wisconsin downtowns as vibrant social and ...Read more
Read more about Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program

Program

Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program

Transportation

The Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program (FRIIP) is a competitive loan program intended to fund construction of industry railroad connections ...Read more
Read more about State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) Program

Program

State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) Program

Transportation

The State Infrastructure Bank offers a range of options to help finance eligible surface transportation projects to preserve, promote and ...Read more
Read more about Business Development Tax Credit Program

Program

Business Development Tax Credit Program

Business, Workforce

The goal of the Business Development Tax Credit (BTC) Program is to incent new and expanding businesses in the state ...Read more
Read more about Community Development Investment Grant Program

Program

Community Development Investment Grant Program

The goal of the Community Development Investment (CDI) Grant Program is to incent primarily downtown community development in the state ...Read more
Read more about Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program

Program

Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program

Education & Schools, Workforce

The program is designed to support hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education by assisting public school districts ...Read more
Read more about Main Street Program

Program

Main Street Program

Business

WEDC's Main Street Program provides technical assistance to communities in the planning, management and implementation of strategic development projects in ...Read more