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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  • Child Care

  • Child Care

    Child Care Provider Portal

    Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

    A website for child care providers to manage their business

  • Child Care

    COVID-19 2022 Child Care Listserv Message Archive

    Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

    Collection of all emails sent through the Child Care Listserv during the COVID-19 emergency

  • Business, Child Care, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    Dream Up! Grant Program

    Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

    This grant awards funds to teams of community stakeholders that work to evaluate, plan, sustain, and expand existing child care and support new child care programs.

  • Child Care, Eldercare, Native Peoples

    Foster Grandparent Program

    Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc.

    The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is a volunteer program whose mission is to connect tribal elders with youth who can benefit from the assistance, mentoring, tutoring and friendship of an older adult.

  • Child Care

    Partner Up!

    Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

    The Partner Up! grant program will provide funding to support partnerships between businesses who purchase slots at existing regulated child care providers.

  • Business, Child Care

    Project Growth

    Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

    Project Growth helps Wisconsin businesses, communities, and Early Care and Education partners add services, find solutions, and innovate.

  • Agriculture, Business, Child Care, Economic Development, Energy, Health & Mental Health

    Rural Economic Development Loan Program

    Dairyland Power Cooperative

    Low interest rate gap-financing may be available to support qualifying business or community development projects.

  • Business, Child Care, Economic Development, Education & Schools, Health & Mental Health, Housing

    Rural LISC Loan Products

    Rural LISC

    Rural LISC has a variety of flexible lending products designed to help local groups bring development projects to fruition.

  • Agriculture, Child Care, Eldercare, Energy, Forestry & Paper, Health & Mental Health, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Sustainability

    The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Program (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program

    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

    EJCPS assists organizations working on or planning to work on projects to address local environmental and/or public health issues in their communities.

  • Agriculture, Child Care, Economic Development, Eldercare, Energy, Forestry & Paper, Health & Mental Health, Native Peoples, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Sustainability

    The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) Program

    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

    The EJG2G Program works to support and/or create model state activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health results in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks.

  • 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.

  • Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Broadband & Internet, Child Care, Economic Development, Housing, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Workforce

    USDA Funding Eligibility Map

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    USDA's mapping tool that allows the user to determine if their project is in an eligible area for funding.

  • Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Business, Child Care, Economic Development, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Workforce

    USDA Resource Guides

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    List of resource guides from USDA

  • 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.