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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  • Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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, 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.

  • Economic Development

    Community Development Investment Grant Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    The goal of the Community Development Investment (CDI) Grant Program is to incent primarily downtown community development in the state of Wisconsin.

  • Economic Development

    Connect Communities Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Connect Communities supplements the Main Street program by expanding services to more downtowns across the state. Connect Communities provides training and networking for communities or organizations working on revitalization.

  • Business, Economic Development, Workforce

    Diverse Business Development Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    The goal of the Diverse Business Development (DBD) Program is to support existing, new and expanding minority-, woman-, LGBT- and veteran-owned businesses in the state of Wisconsin.

  • Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    Entrepreneurial Micro-Grants

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Grants to support business planning and strategy for Wisconsin entrepreneurs and small business owners, administered through the Center for Technology Commercialization.

  • Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    Entrepreneurship Partner Grant

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Grants to encourage the formation of entrepreneurship support programs and to develop startup and emerging growth companies in Wisconsin.

  • Economic Development, Education & Schools, Workforce

    Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    The program is designed to support hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education by assisting public school districts with equipment purchases used in fabrication laboratories in Wisconsin schools.

  • Arts & Culture, Business, Economic Development

    Historic Preservation Tax Credit (HTC) Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    The Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program provides transferable tax credits to eligible entities rehabilitating certified historic buildings to incent reinvestment into historic main streets, downtowns, and commercial districts in Wisconsin.

  • Business, Economic Development

    Main Street Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    WEDC's Main Street Program provides technical assistance to communities in the planning, management and implementation of strategic development projects in downtowns and urban neighborhoods.

  • Arts & Culture

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    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

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  • Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Workforce

    Qualified New Business Venture (QNBV) Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Eligible investors receive a Wisconsin income tax credit equal to 25 percent of the value of the investment made in the certified company to help emerging companies grow.

  • Business, Economic Development

    Regional Economic Development Directors

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Regional Economic Development Directors provide personalized support for the specific business development needs of your community, coordinating inputs from various partner organizations as needed.

  • Business, Economic Development

    Regional Economic Development Partners

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    WEDC, the state’s lead economic development agency, works closely with nine regional economic development partners around the state to facilitate and coordinate resources and support for local businesses.

  • Business, Technology

    SBIR/STTR Matching Grant

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Grants to stimulate technological innovation by supporting technology-based Wisconsin small businesses, administered through the Center for Technology Commercialization.

  • Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    Start In Wisconsin

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Start In Wisconsin will power connections to start, scale and accelerate area entrepreneurs. Start In Wisconsin will be a platform to provide best fit referrals, build your network, and to showcase the story of entrepreneurship in our region.

  • Business, Economic Development, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Technology

    Technology Development Loan Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Provides direct financial assistance to startup and emerging growth companies in Wisconsin that are developing and commercializing innovative products and services at critical stages in their development.

  • Economic Development

    Vibrant Spaces Grant

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Assists with creating vibrant and engaging communities that make it easier to recruit and retain residents, sustain a robust labor force and enhance local quality of life. Public gathering places will foster community connections and provide accessible locations for the programming and amenities local residents desire—with the additional benefit of boosting foot traffic for area businesses.

  • Business, Economic Development, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    WEDC Collaborative Market Access Grant (CMAG) Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    This program is designed to help industry associations, alliances, agencies, nonprofits, regional economic development organizations or other state/local departments located in Wisconsin to work with Wisconsin companies to increase exports.

  • Agriculture, Economic Development, Food & Beverage, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    WEDC International Market Access Grant (IMAG) Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Wisconsin companies can be reimbursed for specific expenses associated with an export project that will help to grow their presence in an international market.

  • Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Child Care, Economic Development, Eldercare, Energy, Food & Beverage, Forestry & Paper, Native Peoples, Transportation, Workforce

    Wisconsin Cooperative Development Grant

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is offering grants to support the development of new and existing cooperatives in Wisconsin, with a goal of fostering the success of current and future cooperatives by supporting planning and exploratory research in advance of making a large investment.

  • Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Technology

    Wisconsin Investment Pilot

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    The WIP Program is intended to provide capital to those companies that have the potential to add to Wisconsin's economic base other the long term by attracting and retaining a high-wage, high-skill workforce and establishing a unique competitive advantage.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Wisconsin Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Wisconsin is well known for our manufacturing. We provide incentives to manufacturers to maximize their production here including the Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit, which virtually eliminates the tax on income.