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.

Search the Directory

  • Topic of interest

  • Resource type

  • Connecting Highway Aids

    Wisconsin Department of Transportation

    Transportation

    Connecting Highway Aids (CHA) assist municipalities with costs associated with increased traffic and maintenance on roads that connect segments of the state highway system.

  • Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

    Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

    Sustainability

    CREP is a resource to help agricultural landowners meet their conservation goals, particularly those who till or graze land along rivers and streams, by paying to install filter strips.

  • Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Emergency Haying and Grazing

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Business

    This program contracts with agricultural producers so that environmentally sensitive agricultural land is not farmed or ranched, but instead used for conservation benefits.

  • Consumer Protection

    Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

    Business, Other

    We provide outreach and education, assistance for consumers and general information on ways to protect your identity.

  • Cornell Small Farms Program Online Courses

    Cornell Small Farms Program

    Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    The Cornell Small Farms Program offers a suite of more than 30 online courses, primarily taught by Cornell Cooperative Extension educators, to help farmers improve their technical and business skills.

  • County Forest Road Aids

    Wisconsin Department of Transportation

    Forestry & Paper, Transportation

    County Forest Road Aids help defray county costs for the improvement and maintenance of public roads within county forests.

  • County Forest Sustainable Grant

    Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

    Forestry & Paper, Sustainability

    County Forest Sustainable Grants are used for special, short term or unanticipated projects that promote sustainable forestry.

  • COVID-19 2022 Child Care Listserv Message Archive

    Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

    Child Care

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

  • Creation and Presentation Grant Program

    Wisconsin Arts Board

    Arts & Culture

    ​​​​​​Creation and Presentation Program (CPP) grants provide artistic program and operational support to established nonprofit arts organizations whose primary mission is to create or present ongoing arts programming that makes a significant local, regional, or statewide impact on the cultural life of Wisconsin, and that furthers the Arts Board’s community development and arts education goals.

  • Creative Communities Grants Program

    Wisconsin Arts Board

    Arts & Culture

    The Creative Communities (CC) grants program encourages arts education and community arts development in Wisconsin. It provides support for projects that further the Arts Board’s goals in the following three areas: Arts Education, Folk and Traditional Arts, and Local Arts. Through direct financial support of specific art​s projects, the Arts Board sustains the vitality of Wisconsin culturally, educationally and economically

  • Critical Assistance Program

    Department of Administration, ​Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources

    Housing

    Critical Assistance funds may be used for the following homeless prevention activities. Payments are made directly to landlords, mortgage holders, local units of government (property tax payments) or utilities.

  • Dairy Processor Grant

    Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

    Business, Food Systems

    The emphasis of this grant program is to foster innovation, improve profitability, and sustain the long-term viability of Wisconsin’s dairy processing facilities.