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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  • Topic of interest

  • Resource type

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

    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

    Child Care, Energy, Forestry & Paper, Health & Mental Health, Native Peoples, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Sustainability

    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.

  • The Fund for Lake Michigan

    The Water Council

    Sustainability

    The Fund for Lake Michigan is here to help sustain the Lake on behalf of the people and places that depend on it. Our goal is to have a deep, positive impact on the health of Lake Michigan and on the communities of Wisconsin, now and into the future.

  • The Future of Wisconsin’s Forest Products Economy – Summary of Focus Group Discussions

    Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

    Forestry & Paper

    The Council on Forestry held listening sessions in May 2021 to help inform the development of actionable initiatives as part of an effort to pursue a Regional Economic Diversification Summit. This report highlights the key findings from the discussions.

  • The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program supports and evaluates projects intended to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by providing incentives at the point of purchase among income eligible consumers.

  • The Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP)

    Wisconsin Department of Transportation

    Transportation

    Established in 1991, the Local Roads Improvement Program (LRIP) assists local governments in improving seriously deteriorating county highways, town roads, and city and village streets. LRIP is a reimbursement program which pays up to 50% of total eligible costs, with local governments providing the balance.

  • The Rural Data Portal

    Housing Assistance Council

    Housing, Other

    The RURAL DATA PORTAL is a simple, easy to use, on-line resource that provides essential information on the social, economic, and housing characteristics of communities in the United States.

  • The Rural Surface Transportation Grant

    U.S Department of Transportation

    Transportation

    The Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program will support projects to improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas to increase connectivity, improve the safety and reliability of the movement of people and freight, and generate regional economic growth and improve quality of life.

  • The Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program for Schools and Libraries

    Federal Communications Commission

    Under this program, eligible schools or libraries identify goods or services they need and submit requests for competitive bids to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).

  • The Score Mentorship Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Business

    Get the guidance and support you need to start or grow your farm, ranch or other form of agribusiness.

  • The Woodland Indian Arts Initiative

    Wisconsin Arts Board

    Arts & Culture

    The Woodland Indian Arts Initiative (WIAI) is designed to promote and develop a foundation of cultural and economic support for traditional and contemporary Native American arts in Wisconsin. As part of this work, the Arts Board annually distributes funds from Gaming Compact monies to support artistic activities among Wisconsin's tribes, bands and urban Indian communities.​

  • Thrive Rural Framework

    Aspen Institute-Community Strategies Group

    Health & Mental Health

    The Thrive Rural Framework is a new tool to help you take stock, target action, and gauge progress on equitable rural prosperity – from health, economic development, environmental stewardship to civic engagement.

  • Tourist Information Center (TIC) Grant

    Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation

    Tourism

    This grant program is open to non-profit tourism organizations, municipalities or Native American tribes who operate a regional tourist information center, providing information on cultural, recreational and other tourism businesses.