Resource Directory
Rural Economic Development
RESOURCES AND GRANTS FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES
Whether youāre 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. Canāt find what youāre looking for? Reach out to us directly, we want to help.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
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.
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
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.
Agriculture, Sustainability, Technology
CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Grants
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.
Agriculture, Broadband & Internet
Direct Farm Operating Microloans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Direct Farm Ownership Microloans are meant to make a down payment on a farm; build, repair, or improve buildings; fund soil and water conservation projects; be used as a down payment farm ownership loan; and be used in joint financing.
Agriculture, Broadband & Internet
Direct Farm Ownership Microloans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Direct Farm Ownership Microloans are meant to make a down payment on a farm; build, repair, or improve buildings; fund soil and water conservation projects; be used as a down payment farm ownership loan; and be used in joint financing.
Broadband & Internet, Education & Schools, Energy, Technology
Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The electric program makes insured loans and loan guarantees to finance the construction of electric distribution, finance generation, and transmission facilities in rural areas.
Agriculture, Business
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions.
Agriculture, Business
Emergency Loan Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
When a tornado, flood, or drought strikes, or a quarantine is imposed by the Secretary of Agriculture, or when other natural disasters occur, FSA's Emergency loan program is there to help eligible farmers and ranchers rebuild and recover from sustained losses.
Agriculture, Other
Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP-Recovery) Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The EWP Program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and other natural disasters that impair a watershed.
Agriculture, Sustainability
Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This opportunity is meant to expand conservation assistance to historically underserved producers and underserved communities and to provide opportunities for students to pursue careers in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences.
Agriculture, Business, Food & Beverage
Farmers Market Promotion Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Farmers Market Promotion Program funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.
Agriculture, Food & Beverage
Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program provides financial support to qualified lenders whose loan applicants want to start or expand middle of the food supply chain activities such as aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesale, or distribution of food.
Business, Economic Development, Energy, Sustainability, Technology, Transportation, Veterans, Workforce
Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The purpose of the HBIIP is to increase significantly the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products.
Business, Economic Development, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Workforce
Intermediary Relending Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This program provides 1 percent low-interest loans to local lenders or āintermediariesā that re-lend to businesses to improve economic conditions and create jobs in rural communities.
Agriculture, Business
Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides payments to eligible livestock owners and contract growers who have covered livestock and who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage that have suffered a loss of grazed forage due to a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the county.
Agriculture, Business, Food & Beverage
Local Food Promotion Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Local Food Promotion Program funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.
Housing
Multifamily Housing Programs Hub Page
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Multifamily Housing assists rural property owners through loans, loan guarantees, and grants that enable owners to develop and rehabilitate properties for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals and families as well as domestic farm laborers.
Agriculture, Health & Mental Health
National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The NDPRP allows APHIS to collaborate with animal health partners throughout the nation to implement high-value projects that enhance prevention, preparedness, detection, and response to the most damaging emerging and foreign animal diseases that threaten U.S. agriculture.
Agriculture, Forestry & Paper, Veterans
Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Popularly referred to as the 2501 Program, this program ensures underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers, and foresters get needed resources to support a successful farming operation and increase profits.
Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Broadband & Internet, Business, Economic Development, Energy, Housing, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Technology, Veterans, Workforce
Resource Guide for Rural Entrepreneurs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This multimedia guide provides resources for start-ups and already-established rural businesses.
Economic Development, Housing, Other
Rural Community Development Initiative Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
RCDI grants are awarded to help non-profit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities and federally recognized tribes support housing, community facilities and community and economic development projects in rural areas.
Business
Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Rural Cooperative Development Grant program improves the economic condition of rural areas by helping individuals and businesses start, expand or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through Cooperative Development Centers
Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Business, Economic Development, Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Rural Development: Key Priorities
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Priority Points, also referred to as discretionary points, are additional points added to an established scoring criterion that USDA Rural Development uses to help determine which projects qualify for funding. Awarding extra points (i.e. priority points) raises a projectās score, which in turn improves the chances of a project being scored high enough to warrant a funding award. The flexibility related to these kinds of points varies, depending on regulations language.
Energy, Sustainability
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This program assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing Renewable Energy Development Assistance (REDA).
Agriculture, Energy, Sustainability
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.
Business, Economic Development, Workforce
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program offers grant assistance to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas.
Economic Development, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Workforce
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to 1) help microenterprise startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund and 2) provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.
Arts & Culture, Broadband & Internet, Economic Development, Housing, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Transportation
Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge provides cooperative agreement funds to help provide planning support, technical assistance, and training to foster placemaking activities in rural communities.
Housing
Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Also known as the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, this program assists low- and very-low-income applicants obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase an applicantās repayment ability.
Housing
Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, it provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their homes, or provides grants to elderly, very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.
Other
Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.
Agriculture, Education & Schools, Food & Beverage, Health & Mental Health, Workforce
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (National Workforce Strategy Development)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The National WIC Workforce Strategy aims to strengthen the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce, with the goals of increasing WIC participation through reaching those populations that are eligible, but not enrolled and increasing WIC participantsā likelihood of adoption nutrition education and breastfeeding support.
Food & Beverage, Technology
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer Modernization Technical Assistance Center (SEMTAC)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This grant announcement most directly supports SNAP by building the capacity to support the expansion of online SNAP purchasing nationwide, the mobile payments pilot, and any other modernization efforts that may develop.
Broadband & Internet, Business
Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Loan Guarantees
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The loan and loan guarantee program offers financial assistance to eligible service providers that will construct, improve, or expand telecommunication and broadband networks in rural areas.
Agriculture, Business, Economic Development, Health & Mental Health, Sustainability, Workforce
The BioPreferred Program: Voluntary Labeling Initiative
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The BioPreferred Program allows businesses to apply for a certification, which lets allows them to display the USDA Certified Biobased Product label on the product.
Agriculture, Food & Beverage
The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program supports and evaluates projects intended to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by providing incentives at the point of purchase among income eligible consumers.
Agriculture, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Veterans
Transition Incentives Program (TIP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Transition Incentives Program provides land owners or operators with two additional annual rental payments on land enrolled in expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, on the condition they sell or rent this land to a beginning farmer or rancher or to a socially disadvantaged group.
Child Care, Economic Development, Education & Schools, Food & Beverage, Health & Mental Health, Other
USDA Community Facilities Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Community Facilities Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These amenities help increase the competitiveness of rural communities in attracting and retaining businesses that provide employment and services for their residents.
Broadband & Internet
USDA Rural Development Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density.
Broadband & Internet
USDA Rural Development ReConnect Loan and Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The ReConnect Loan and Grant Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. The application window is now closed. Follow one of the links below to learn more about the program.
Economic Development, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Sustainability
USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Through Rural Utilities Service Water and Environmental Programs (WEP), rural communities obtain the technical assistance and financing necessary to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems. Safe drinking water and sanitary waste disposal systems are vital not only to public health, but also to the economic vitality of rural America. Rural Development is a leader in helping rural America improve the quality of life and increase the economic opportunities for rural people.
Economic Development, Native Peoples, Other
USDA Rural Development’s Tribal Relations Page
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Rural Development Tribal Relations webpage is created by its Tribal Relations team, which helps ensure relevant programs and policies are efficient, easy to understand, accessible, and developed in consultation with the American Indians and Alaska Native constituents they impact.
Agriculture, Business, Education & Schools, Food & Beverage, Start-Up & Entrepreneur
WI Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
SARE offers competitive grants to fund research and education projects that advance sustainable agricultural practices in the United States.