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.

- U.S Department of Transportation
Areas of Persistent Poverty Program
U.S Department of Transportation
Energy, Health & Mental Health, Sustainability, 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.
Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants (Community Charging)
U.S Department of Transportation
Sustainability, 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.
Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants (Corridor Charging)
U.S Department of Transportation
Energy, Sustainability, 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.
Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program
U.S Department of Transportation
Sustainability, Transportation, Workforce
The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities.
Low or No Emission Vehicle Program
U.S Department of Transportation
Sustainability, Transportation, Workforce
The Low or No Emission competitive program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.
Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grants
U.S Department of Transportation
Energy, Sustainability, Transportation, Workforce
The grant funding is to be made available to a municipality or community owned utility (not including for-profit entities) to repair, rehabilitate, or replace its natural gas distribution pipeline systems or portions thereof or to acquire equipment to (1) reduce incidents and fatalities and (2) to avoid economic losses.
Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and CostSaving Transportation (PROTECT) – Discretionary
U.S Department of Transportation
Sustainability, Transportation
PROTECT Grants will support planning, resilience improvements, community resilience and evacuation routes, and at-risk coastal infrastructure.
Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants
U.S Department of Transportation
Health & Mental Health, Sustainability, Transportation
The RAISE program is a discretionary grant program for investments in surface transportation infrastructure that will have a significant local or regional impact. RAISE Grant Funds were authorized under the Local and Regional Assistance Program in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES)
U.S Department of Transportation
Transportation
Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) is an initiative to address disparities in rural transportation infrastructure by developing user-friendly tools and information, aggregating DOT resources, and providing technical assistance. The ROUTES Initiative aims to ensure rural transportation infrastructure’s unique challenges are considered in order to meet priority transportation goals of safety, mobility, and economic competitiveness.
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program
U.S Department of Transportation
Transportation
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over the next 5 years. In fiscal year 2022 (FY22), up to $1 billion is available. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.