Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Capacity Building Grants
The Capacity Building Grants program is open to local regional, tribal, and state-wide nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, for-profit, and nonprofit entities in Wisconsin. The program aims to support economic development efforts in the region. The program does not cover past costs, in-kind contributions, or construction costs. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
-
Planning initiatives or assessments of the economic competitiveness of the area
-
Economic development programming initiatives that address issues or challenges of an area or the state
-
Implementation of pilot programs or economic development best practices
-
Marketing by regional economic development organizations.
-
Cooperative feasibility studies.
-
Assistance Type: Grant
-
Application Cycle: Continuous
-
Min./Max Award: The grant amount ranges up to $50,000, and projects with significant regional or statewide impact may receive additional funding. Regional economic development organizations may receive grants not to exceed $100,000 or the amount of matching funds the organization obtains from sources other than WEDC or the state, whichever is less, to fund marketing activities.
-
Contact and/or Application Link: Please contact your Regional Director - https://wedc.org/contact-us/staff-directory/#regional-economic-development-directors
Example of Successful Implementation: In 2022, Adams County Rural and Industrial Development Community received a $25,000 grant.​Below attached to the button is the link for more information regarding this program from the WEDC website. Follow this link to learn more.
​
Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Lab) Grant Program
The Wisconsin Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program is designed to support hands-on STEAM education in public school districts and tribal schools in Wisconsin. Eligible applicants include Wisconsin public school districts and tribal schools. The program aims to assist in the establishment and growth of Fab Labs to enhance the talent pipeline, as well as foster local economic development by providing resources for entrepreneurs, businesses, and inventors through community access to Fab Labs.
There are certain restrictions and qualifying information that applicants should be aware of when applying for the Wisconsin Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program.
-
Applicants must match 50% of the grant amount provided by WEDC and may only be awarded one grant per fiscal year, with a maximum three grants (except for Milwaukee Public Schools or one-time grants for establishing Fab Labs for K-8 students).
-
Consortium applications may be submitted by Cooperative Education Service Agencies (CESA) or lead public school districts on behalf of two or more public school districts.
Fab Labs must be equipped with computer-controlled additive and subtractive manufacturing components and actively engage with the business community, provide community access, and integrate with the network of Wisconsin-based Fab Labs. Recipients must submit performance reports documenting student access to the lab and other contract deliverables and maintain backup of performance reports and financial records for at least three years after the last performance report is due. WEDC may impose additional reporting requirements for project performance evaluation and compliance.
-
Assistance Type: Grant
-
Application Cycle: Application deadline is January 15
-
Min./Max Award: The minimum grant amount is $10,000, while the maximum amount is $25,000 for individual districts and $50,000 for consortium.​​
-
Contact and/or Application Link:
Ann Hyra,
Grant Manager, Business and Community Development
Phone Number: 608.210.6847
Email Address: ann.hyra@wedc.org
​
Example of Successful Implementation: See program website for a map of existing Fab Labs in the state.
​
Below attached to the button is the link for more information regarding this program from the WEDC website. Follow this link to learn more.​​​
Wisconsin Historic Preservation Tax Credit (HTC) Program
The Wisconsin Historic Preservation Tax Credit (HTC) Program is designed to incentivize reinvestment into historic main streets, downtowns, and commercial districts in Wisconsin. This state credit acts as a supplement to the federal program, providing additional support for those rehabilitating historic structures.
To be eligible for the Wisconsin Historic Preservation Tax Credit (HTC) Program, applicants must meet various eligibility criteria, including approval from the State Historic Preservation Officer, compliance with preservation or rehabilitation standards, and meeting minimum expenditure thresholds. Eligible entities include those rehabilitating certified historic buildings in the state. Nonprofits are eligible for certification under specific conditions. Rehabilitation costs must not be incurred before approval of the preservation or rehabilitation plan, and eligible costs must not be incurred to acquire or enlarge a building. Additionally, rehabilitated properties must be used for income-producing purposes. Certification windows are effective for two years, extendable at WEDC's discretion, and recipients must submit performance reports upon project completion and maintain backup documentation for the life of the award.
-
Assistance Type: Tax Credit
-
Application Cycle: Continuous application process involving submission of Part I and II of the Historic Preservation Certification Application to the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS), followed by review and certification by WEDC.
-
Min./Max Award: Transferable tax credit of 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenses. Maximum amount of credits for all Projects undertaken on the same Parcel may not exceed $3,500,000. However, WEDC may deny certification based on funding availability or other application criteria.
-
Contact and/or Application Link:
-
​Please contact your Regional Director - https://wedc.org/contact-us/staff-directory/#regional-economic-development-directors
-
Application link: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS15322
-
​
Example of Successful Implementation: In 2024, 2200 Horlick Holdings, LLC, in Racine, WI, received $3,500,000 in historic tax credits.
Wisconsin Industrial Revenue Bonding (IRB) Program
The IRB program is intended to incentivize expansions of manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin by providing access to tax-exempt bonds to stimulate capital investment and job creation. IRB proceeds can be used for building, land, or equipment, but not for working capital. Manufacturing facilities financed must be in Wisconsin unless otherwise allowed by law. Exempt Facility Bonds are subject to specific project types and not subject to the same rules as other private activity bonds.
Notice of intent must be provided to WEDC at least 30 days prior to entering into a revenue agreement with a municipality or county. A good faith estimate of attorney fees must also be provided to WEDC prior to adoption of an initial resolution. After the closing of the bond issue, WEDC must be notified of the closing date, substantive changes to documents, and principal amount of financing within five business days. Employers must submit quarterly reports during the first year after project completion, providing information about new jobs, lost jobs, and offers of employment. Within 12 months after project completion or 2 years after issuing revenue bonds, businesses must submit a report to WEDC detailing the net number of jobs affected by the project.
-
Assistance Type: Bond
-
Application Cycle: Continuous application process involving submission of an application through an Account Manager.
-
Eligibility Obstacle: Program requires job creation for eligibility, which is a significant hurdle in the current economic environment that includes a severe workforce shortage. 
-
Min./Max Award: Maximum size of an IRB issue is $10 million according to federal tax law. Capital expenditures in the municipality where the project is located cannot exceed $20 million during the three years before and after the issuance of IRBs for issues exceeding $1 million. Total amount of IRBs outstanding at related operations of the business, in all states, may not exceed $40 million.
-
Contact and/or Application Link: Please contact your Regional Director - https://wedc.org/contact-us/staff-directory/#regional-economic-development-directors
​
Example of Successful Implementation: 2023, 707 Executive Place Holdings, LLC, Waukesha County, $2,800,000
​
Connect Communities
Connect Communities is a program designed to revitalize downtowns and commercial districts in Wisconsin communities with historic commercial districts. The program aims to strengthen community engagement in economic development, provide resources and networking for local initiatives, support downtown community development, and enhance downtown revitalization through Main Street and Connect Communities. Regional entities may apply for Connect Communities on behalf of multiple small communities.
To qualify for the Connect Communities program, a downtown-focused organization must demonstrate a commitment to training and reporting, as well as financial and organizational capacity. The organization must also demonstrate a need and historic integrity. Periodic or annual performance reports are required. The application and awards process includes the selection of up to three new Main Street communities annually, and the Connect Communities application is reviewed twice yearly by WEDC staff. To participate in the program, organizations must commit to education, training, and reporting, and sign a participation agreement with WEDC. The Connect Communities program requires a fee of $200 per year.
-
Assistance Type: Technical Assistance
-
Application Cycle: Program applications are accepted twice annually (in the spring and fall), and up to 20 new communities can be admitted to the program in each fiscal year.
-
Min./Max Award: The Connect Communities program does not provide direct funding but offers technical assistance to downtown-focused organizations or groups in Wisconsin communities with historic commercial districts.
-
Contact and/or Application Link: Errin Welty (errin.welty@wedc.org)
​​
Example of Successful Implementation: See program link for a map of current Connect Communities and contact information.
​
Wisconsin Main Street
The goal of the Wisconsin Main Street program is to support downtown community development by providing technical assistance and resources to communities for strategic development projects and enhance downtown revitalization efforts through Main Street programs.
Applicants must also be organizations focused on downtown or urban commercial district issues and be able to demonstrate the following:
-
Defined downtown/commercial district
-
Need for assistance
-
Organizational stability
-
Availability of local support and resources
The organization must have paid staff and an adequate annual budget for carrying out activities ($40,000 in communities under 5,000 or $70,000 in larger communities). Participating organizations must complete annual reporting and meet annual attendance requirements to remain in the Wisconsin Main Street Program.
-
Assistance Type: Technical Assistance
-
Annual/Biennial Funding Amount: The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) allocates at least $250,000 annually for Main Street.
-
Application Cycle: Applications are accepted annually in the spring, and interviews are held with eligible applicants to determine organization readiness. Up to three new communities are admitted to the program per fiscal year.
-
Min./Max Award: This is a technical assistance program, so no direct funding is provided.
-
Contact and/or Application Link: Errin Welty (errin.welty@wedc.org)
Example of Successful Implementation: Follow program link for a map of current Wisconsin Main Street communities.​​
​
Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program
The Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program is designed to support the expansion of existing Wisconsin businesses or relocation of major business operations to Wisconsin. The program aims to promote job creation, job retention, capital investment, training, and investment in the Wisconsin supply chain. Additionally, certain business/activities are ineligible unless approved by the Board of Directors’ Awards Administration Committee.
To qualify for EZ certification, businesses can begin operation in an EZ, relocate to an EZ from out of state, expand operation in an EZ, retain jobs in an EZ, or purchase items or services through a Wisconsin Supply Chain. Tax Credits are calculated based on eligible activities including job creation, job retention, training capital investments, and purchases from Wisconsin vendors. Recipients must annually report performance metrics and may be subject to audit by WEDC. Certification is contingent on meeting requirements such as maintaining employment levels and making significant capital investments.
-
Assistance Type: Tax Credit
-
Application Cycle: Continuous
-
Min./Max Award: No statutory cap on allocated Tax Credits per award or overall program; subject to WEDC discretion.
-
Eligibility Obstacle: Program requires job creation for eligibility, which is a significant hurdle in the current economic environment that includes a severe workforce shortage.
-
Contact and/or Application Link: Please contact your Regional Director - https://wedc.org/contact-us/staff-directory/#regional-economic-development-directors
Example of Successful Implementation: In 2024, manufacturer A.Y. McDonald Industries, Inc. in Grant County received $5,850,000 in tax credits.
​
Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption Program
The Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption Program is designed for companies that are planning to construct or rehabilitate buildings for housing networked computer servers to centralize data processing, storage, management, retrieval, communication, or dissemination. The program aims to attract more data centers to Wisconsin, bringing a highly educated workforce, high wages, and significant capital investment to communities.
Under the Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption Program, companies can receive a sale and use tax exemption based on their investment amount. The minimum and maximum award amounts vary depending on the population size of the county where investment is made. To be eligible, companies must invest at least the specified amounts within the designated time frame and meet the criteria for qualified investment and eligible costs, subject to the full program guidelines administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
To qualify for the Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption Program, companies must plan to invest the specified amounts within the designated time frame and make the investment in a county with the specified population range. They must also comply with program guidelines by WEDC and meet the criteria for qualified investment and eligible costs. Collaborative efforts between companies and communities are also required to ensure readiness the site for data center projects, including land purchase and infrastructure preparation.
-
Assistance Type: Tax Exemption
-
Application Cycle: Continuous
-
Min./Max Award: Sales and use tax exemption based on the investment amount:
-
$150 million over five years in a county with a population greater than 100,000.
-
$100 million in a county with a population between 50,000 and 100,000.
-
$50 million in a county with a population of 50,000 or less.​​
-
Contact and/or Application Link: Please contact your Regional Director - https://wedc.org/contact-us/staff-directory/#regional-economic-development-directors
-
​
Wisconsin Office of Rural Prosperity
The Wisconsin Office of Rural Prosperity is a division of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). It was created to help rural communities in Wisconsin access the resources and support they need. The office works closely with WEDC provide a range of services and programs to rural businesses and communities throughout the state.
