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

  • Local Community Navigators

    The GRID

    Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    Local community navigators can help you identify business resources and assist with other business needs.

  • Local Food Promotion Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Business

    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.

  • Local Job Centers

    Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

    Business, Workforce

    Local Job Centers provide labor exchange services to both business and job seekers.

  • Local Meat Capacity Grant

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Business

    This program supports independently owned meat and poultry processing businesses with funds to provide more and better processing options for local livestock producers.

  • Low or No Emission Vehicle Program

    U.S Department of Transportation

    Sustainability, Transportation, Workforce

    The Low or No Emission competitive program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.

  • Main Street Program

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Business

    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.

  • Meetings Mean Business! (MMB) Grants

    Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation

    Tourism

    We offer a grant program designed to assist Wisconsin destinations in the meetings and conventions tourism market with financial assistance for facility costs or host destination expenses.

  • Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) Program

    Wisconsin Department of Administration

    Business, Native Peoples, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    ​​The Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) Program was the first diverse business certification program for the State of Wisconsin.

  • Models and Practices for Meaningful Community Engagement

    Citizen’s Institute on Rural Design

    Arts & Culture

    This is a crowdsourced resource guide for creative community engagement.

  • Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Housing

    Provides financing to qualified borrowers to increase the supply of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in eligible rural areas and towns.

  • Multifamily Housing Programs Hub Page

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Housing

    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.

  • Multifamily Housing Rental Assistance Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Housing

    This program provides payments to owners of USDA-financed Rural Rental Housing or Farm Labor Housing projects on behalf of low-income tenants unable to pay their full rent.