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.

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  • 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.

  • Energy, Sustainability, Technology

    Advanced Biofuel Payment Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program’s goal is to increase the production of advanced biofuels.

  • 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.

  • Broadband & Internet

    Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Visualization

    Rural LISC

    The Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Visualization allows users to investigate the percentage of ACP enrollment participation by ZIP code, and is updated when new data is made available.

  • 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

    Agricultural Producer Security

    Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

    This program provides a level of assurance that producers of milk, vegetables, and grain will be paid for the products they sell and that grain in storage is properly cared for.

  • 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.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Agriculture Innovation Center Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Agriculture Innovation Center Program funds Agriculture Innovation Centers (Centers) that provide technical and business development assistance to Agricultural Producers.

  • 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 Nation Grants

    AmeriCorps

    AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations proposing to engage AmeriCorps members in interventions/practices to strengthen communities.

  • 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.

  • Other

    Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention & Awareness Toolkit

    Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

    This is a source of public information available to local communities, professionals, and other stakeholders interested in addressing human trafficking in Wisconsin.

  • Business, Education & Schools, Workforce

    Apprenticeship Programs

    Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

    Apprenticeship is an industry-driven training model that combines on-the-job learning with job-related instruction.

  • 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.

  • Economic Development

    Brownfields Grant Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    The goal of the Brownfields Grant Program provides funds to support community redevelopment in commercial and industrial sites that have been adversely impacted by environmental contamination.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses

    Farm Answers

    Helps today's alternative and sustainable agriculture entrepreneurs transform farm-grown inspiration into profitable enterprises.

  • 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.

  • Education & Schools, Workforce

    Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program

    U.S. Department of Labor

    This program serves dual purposes by implementing and scaling worker-centered sector strategies to support the workforce necessary for successful implementation of the BIL.

  • 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.

  • Business

    Business & Industry Loan Guarantees in Wisconsin

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

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

  • Business, Economic Development, Workforce

    Business Development Tax Credit Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    The goal of the Business Development Tax Credit (BTC) Program is to incent new and expanding businesses in the state of Wisconsin.

  • Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    Business Resource Navigator

    The GRID

    Database of Business Resource Partners to help you find and connect with organizations.

  • Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    Business Resource Navigator