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.

Search the Directory

  • I am...

  • Interested in...

  • Seeking...

  • 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.

  • Broadband & Internet

    Affordable Connectivity Program

    Federal Communications Commission

    The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

  • 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.

  • Business, Economic Development, Other

    Ally Grant

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    The Ally Grant pilot initiative aims to foster the development of new and/or emerging diverse-based nonprofit organizations that support diverse business communities, with a specific focus on organizations WEDC has not previously funded.

  • 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

    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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

    The GRID

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

  • 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.

  • Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    Capital Access Clinic

    Wisconsin Small Business Development Center

    The Capital Access Clinic provides assistance to Wisconsin entrepreneurs who are seeking financing for their business. Through the Capital Access Clinic, entrepreneurs have access to an expert team of financial consultants.

  • Business, Economic Development, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    Capital Catalyst Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Matching grants to seed funds managed by local communities and other eligible entities to provide capital to high-growth startups and emerging growth companies.

  • Sustainability, Technology, Transportation

    Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants (Community Charging)

    U.S Department of Transportation

    Program funds will be made available to install electric vehicle charging and alternative fuel in locations on public roads, schools, parks, and in publicly accessible parking facilities.

  • Energy, Sustainability, Technology, Transportation

    Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants (Corridor Charging)

    U.S Department of Transportation

    Program funds will be made available to deploy electric vehicle charging and hydrogen/propane/natural gas fueling infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors and in communities.

  • Energy, Transportation

    Charging Forward

    U.S Department of Transportation

    A Toolkit for Planning and Funding Rural Electric Mobility Infrastructure

  • Child Care

    Child Care Provider Portal

    Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

    A website for child care providers to manage their business

  • Economic Development, Housing

    Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants

    U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants support the development of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans.

  • Agriculture, Sustainability, Technology

    CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) are competitive grants that drive public and private sector innovation in resource conservation. On-Farm Trials supports more widespread adoption of innovative approaches, practices, and systems on working lands.

  • Business, Workforce

    Civil Rights

    Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

    The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Equal Rights Division administers laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

  • Energy, Sustainability

    Clean Energy Plan

    Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy

    The Wisconsin Clean Energy Plan aims to change the adverse trajectory of climate change impacts.

  • 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.