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 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 “intermediaries” 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.