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.

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.
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.
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.
Agriculture, Food & Beverage
Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grant
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Grant program to strengthen Wisconsin’s agricultural and food industries by mitigating barriers in local food channels, increasing efficiencies in processing, marketing, and distributing local food in markets including stores, schools, and institutions.
Clean Sweep
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
The Clean Sweep Program provides grants to organizations to create and operate local programs for the collection and disposal of agricultural pesticides, farm chemical waste, household hazardous waste, and unwanted prescription drugs.
Sustainability
Clean Water Fund Program
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The purpose of the Clean Water Fund Program is to administer affordable financial assistance to communities within Wisconsin for wastewater infrastructure projects that protect and improve public health and water quality for current and future generations.
Economic Development
Community Development Block Grant – Economic Development (CDBG-ED) Program
Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources
The CDBG-ED Program works with eligible businesses to complete the application resulting in typical awards from $7,000-$10,000 per job created or retained.
Housing
Community Development Block Grant – Emergency Assistance Program (CDBG-EAP)
Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources
CDBG-EAP funds assist local units of government in addressing emergency housing, public facility, infrastructure, and business assistance needs that occur as a result of natural or manmade disasters.
Economic Development
Community Development Block Grant – Planning (CDBG-PLNG) Program
Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources
Planning grant funds support community efforts to address improving community opportunities and vitality. Eligible projects include the development of comprehensive plans, community development plans, and small area and neighborhood plans.
Housing
Community Development Block Grant – Public Facilities (CDBG-PF) Program
Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources
Public Facilities funds help support infrastructure and facility projects for communities. Eligible projects include improvements, repairs, or expansions of streets, drainage systems, water and sewer systems, sidewalks, and community centers.
Business
Community Development Block Grant – Public Facilities Economic Development (CDBG-PFED) Program
Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources
CDBG-PFED grant funds are awarded to local governments for public infrastructure projects that support business expansion or retention such as water or sewer service.
Economic Development
Community Placemaking & Community Design Charrette
Community Design Team of Wisconsin
The Design Wisconsin Team process uses a “tried-and-true” method known in planning and design circles as a “charrette”. Simply defined, a charrette is a period of intense, fast-paced planning and design.
Economic Development
Connect Communities Program
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Connect Communities supplements the Main Street program by expanding services to more downtowns across the state. Connect Communities provides training and networking for communities or organizations working on revitalization.
Agriculture
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
CREP is a resource to help agricultural landowners meet their conservation goals, particularly those who till or graze land along rivers and streams, by paying to install filter strips.
Arts & Culture
Creation and Presentation Grant Program
Wisconsin Arts Board
Creation and Presentation Program (CPP) grants provide artistic program and operational support to established nonprofit arts organizations whose primary mission is to create or present ongoing arts programming that makes a significant local, regional, or statewide impact on the cultural life of Wisconsin, and that furthers the Arts Board’s community development and arts education goals.
Arts & Culture, Economic Development
Creative Communities Grants Program
Wisconsin Arts Board
The Creative Communities (CC) grants program encourages arts education and community arts development in Wisconsin. It provides support for projects that further the Arts Board’s goals in the following three areas: Arts Education, Folk and Traditional Arts, and Local Arts. Through direct financial support of specific arts projects, the Arts Board sustains the vitality of Wisconsin culturally, educationally and economically
Housing
Critical Assistance Program
Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources
Critical Assistance funds may be used for the following homeless prevention activities. Payments are made directly to landlords, mortgage holders, local units of government (property tax payments) or utilities.
Business, Economic Development, Workforce
Diverse Business Development Program
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The goal of the Diverse Business Development (DBD) Program is to support existing, new and expanding minority-, woman-, LGBT- and veteran-owned businesses in the state of Wisconsin.
Arts & Culture, Business, Food & Beverage, Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Division of Food and Recreational Licensing
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Licensing Specialists help potential operators of food, lodging, or recreational businesses understand which license is required for their business, and steps to take in obtaining that license.
Sustainability
E-Cycle Wisconsin Collection Grant Program
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
To provide more electronics recycling opportunities in underserved areas of the state, grants under this program must be used for hosting an electronics collection site or event or series of collection sites or events.
Emergency Solutions Grant, Housing Assistance Program, Homelessness Prevention Program EHH
Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources
The Emergency Shelter Grant can be used for rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, street outreach, Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS), and administrative costs.
Business, Economic Development, Workforce
Emerging Business and Workforce Development Program
Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority
The Emerging Business Program was created to encourage the involvement, utilization, and development of economically disadvantaged businesses in the State of Wisconsin. The Workforce Development Program was created to enable unemployed and underemployed area-specific residents to obtain living wage construction jobs.
Economic Development, Education & Schools, Workforce
Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The program is designed to support hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education by assisting public school districts with equipment purchases used in fabrication laboratories in Wisconsin schools.
Agriculture, Education & Schools
Farm to School & Insitution
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
This program supports local producers in providing bountiful, nutritious meals and snacks for all. Farm to School and Institution programs operate within three core elements: procurement, school gardens, and education.
Agriculture
Farmer Wellness Program
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
When stress is running high and Wisconsin’s farmers and family need somewhere to turn for support, the Farmer Wellness Program can assist with services to help navigate and reduce farm stress.
Agriculture, Business, Economic Development, Food & Beverage, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Sustainability
FEAST! Local Food Network
Renewing the Countryside
The FEAST! Local Foods Network is a partnership of many organizations, businesses, and individuals committed to growing a sustainable, local and regional food system that encourages innovation.