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.
Business, Economic Development, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Technology, Workforce
10,000 Communities Initiative
Milken Institute
The 10,000 Communities Initiative aims to accelerate and advance critical community infrastructure projects by maximizing innovation and integration across regions, sectors, and sources of investment capital.
Education & Schools
2022 National Signature Project Award
Rural Schools Collaborative
The National Rural Education Association and the Rural Schools Collaborative are accepting applications for the National Signature Project Award, a $2,500 grant to an outstanding and innovative classroom project that exemplifies the very best in place-based education. The National Signature Project Award is open to any rural classroom teacher in the United States.
Economic Development, Energy, Sustainability, Workforce
Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grants
U.S. Department of Energy
The Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program awards financial assistance to small- and medium-sized manufacturers in energy communities to 1) establish new facilities or 2) re-equip or expand existing facilities for the manufacturing or recycling of advanced energy property.
Education & Schools, Health & Mental Health, Workforce
Advanced Nursing Education Nurse Practitioner Residency and Fellowship (ANE-NPRF) Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The purpose of this program is to prepare new Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to effectively provide primary care by supporting the establishment, expansion and/or enhancement of existing community-based Nurse Practitioner (NP) residency and fellowship training programs.
Education & Schools, Health & Mental Health, Workforce
Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The purpose of the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Program is to increase the number of primary care nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives trained and prepared to provide primary care services, mental health and substance use disorder care, and/or maternal health care.
Sustainability
Agricultural Chemical Cleanup Program
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
DATCP staff can work with the consultant or "responsible person" to monitor the cleanup. The program reviews applications for eligible cost reimbursement and provides cost reimbursement to responsible parties.
Agriculture, Economic Development
Agricultural Enterprise Areas
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
AEA is an area of productive agriculture that has received designation from the state at the request of landowners and local governments. AEAs strive to support local farmland protection goals.
Agriculture, Education & Schools, Energy, Health & Mental Health, Sustainability, Technology
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative – Foundational and Applied Science Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture.
Agriculture, Education & Schools, Food & Beverage, Workforce
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants: Education and Workforce Development Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - EWD focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences.
Economic Development, Education & Schools, Eldercare, Health & Mental Health, Native Peoples, Sustainability
AmeriCorps Seniors Native Nations and Indigenous Elders Senior Demonstration Program
AmeriCorps
The Native Nations and Indigenous Elders SDP encourages investment in projects focused on underserved Indigenous and Native communities, advancing opportunities for older adults to make an impact, through their time and experience.
Economic Development, Other
AmeriCorps State and National Native Nations Planning Grants
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps planning grants provide support to a grant recipient to develop an AmeriCorps program that will engage AmeriCorps members in implementing evidence-based interventions to solve community problems.
Economic Development, Energy, Health & Mental Health, Sustainability, Technology, Transportation
Areas of Persistent Poverty Program
U.S Department of Transportation
The Areas of Persistent Poverty Program awards grants for planning, engineering, or development of technical or financing plans for projects that assist Areas of Persistent Poverty or Historically Disadvantaged Communities.
Energy, Sustainability, Technology
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This program provides loan guarantees up to $250 million to assist in the development, construction, and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies.
Broadband & Internet, Economic Development, Transportation
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The BIL includes special provision for rural communities, and many programs have portions of grant funding reserved for rural communities. Ensuring rural Wisconsin has access to BIL funding is a high priority of WEDC and the Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP).
Broadband & Internet
Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP)
U.S. Department of Commerce
The Broadband Infrastructure Program is directed to partnerships between a state, or one or more political subdivisions of a state, and providers of fixed broadband service to support broadband infrastructure deployment to areas lacking broadband, especially rural areas.
Broadband & Internet
Broadband Technical Assistance
U.S. Department of Agriculture
BTA provides financial assistance through cooperative agreements to eligible entities to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training and supports the development and expansion of broadband cooperatives.
Economic Development
Brownfield Site Assessment Grants
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The goal of the Brownfield Site Assessment Grant Program supports community redevelopment by providing grants of up to $150,000 to local governments seeking to redevelop sites impacted by environmental contamination.
Energy, Technology
Building Energy Codes Program
U.S. Department of Energy
The Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) mission is to support building energy code development, adoption, implementation and enforcement processes to achieve the maximum practicable, cost-effective improvements in energy efficiency while providing safe, healthy buildings for occupants.
Other
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Department of Homeland Security
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards.