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

  • Wisconsin Cooperative Development Grant

    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

    Arts & Culture, Child Care, Energy, Forestry & Paper, Native Peoples, Transportation, Workforce

    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.

  • Wisconsin Crop Insurance Rebates for Planting Cover Crops

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

    Business, Sustainability

    Interested participants may enroll acres planted to cover crops in the fall of 2024, which will be planted to an insurable crop in the following growing season.

  • Wisconsin Downtown Action Council

    Arts & Culture

    Wisconsin Downtown Action Council is a statewide organization established to facilitate the revitalization of Wisconsin downtowns as vibrant social and economic centers through a mix of strategies.

  • Wisconsin Farm Center

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

    Food Systems

    The WI Farm Center offers its state’s farmers free and confidential financial consulting and transition planning services as well as several other programs in areas such as conflict mediation, veterinary diagnostic analysis, farmer wellbeing, and more.

  • Wisconsin Farmland Preservation Biennial Reports

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

    Business, Sustainability

    DATCP reports on the status of farmland preservation in Wisconsin every two years.

  • Wisconsin Farmland Preservation Tax Credits

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

    Business

    ​​​Eligible landowners may claim farmland preservation tax credits. The amount of the tax credit depends upon how a landowner participates in the program.​​

  • Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest

    Wisconsin Technology Council

    Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    The Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest links up-and-coming entrepreneurs with a statewide network of community resources, expert judges, mentors and possible sources of capital.

  • Wisconsin Groundwater Quality Reports

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

    Sustainability

    Wisconsin groundwater quality reports include reports on wells, field-edge groundwater, surface water, Wisconsin groundwater as a whole, and pesticides.

  • Wisconsin Help for Homeowners

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

    Energy, Housing

    A new statewide program that can help with overdue bills like mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and more.

  • Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

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

    Housing

    The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations

  • ​​Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Annual Reports​​

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

    Sustainability

    DATCP and DNR submit an annual report that summarizes and evaluates progress in the land and water conservation programs that the two agencies fund or administer.

  • Wisconsin Local Health Departments: Tribal Health Centers

    Wisconsin Department of Health Services

    Health & Mental Health, Native Peoples

    Provides contacts for Tribal Health Centers