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Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

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Wisconsin Idle Sites Redevelopment (ISR) Program 

The ISR program is intended to incentivize community redevelopment by revitalizing idle, abandoned, or underutilized sites. Grants are available to cities, villages, towns, counties, government entities, or tribal entities for site redevelopment projects aimed at improving the local economy. Private developers participating in a project must submit a draft of a development agreement outlining project details. Applicants must own the targeted site or demonstrate legal access and authority to perform proposed work. A signed resolution by the governing elected body authorizing the application submission is required.

Exceptions may be considered for projects that clearly justify an award beyond normal parameters.
WEDC funds cannot exceed 25% of eligible project costs, except for projects in economically distressed communities where WEDC may provide up to 50% of eligible costs. Eligible costs include demolition, environmental remediation, rehabilitation, or infrastructure improvements. Ineligible costs include past costs, in-kind contributions, new construction, indirect construction costs, and environmental work on properties where the current owner is also responsible for contamination.

Considerations for grant approval include project impact on economic and community development, financial commitments from lending institutions or government entities, site investigation and remediation efforts, budgeting by qualified parties, property size and location, infrastructure use, job creation, and diversity in business involvement. Project sites must meet size and usage criteria, with parcels exceeding 4 acres for industrial or institutional sites and 10 acres for commercial sites, or smaller parcels located within commercial corridors.
 

  • Assistance Type: Grant

  • Annual/Biennial Funding Amount: $2,000,000 (FY24)

  • Application Cycle: The ISR program has a continuous application process, with applications submitted through an Account Manager and reviewed by underwriters. Backup to performance reports and financial records must be maintained for at least three years after the last performance report is due.

  • Min./Max Award: Maximum award generally does not exceed $250,000.

  • Contact and/or Application Link: Please contact your Regional Director - https://wedc.org/contact-us/staff-directory/#regional-economic-development-directors

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Example of Successful Implementation: In 2022, the City of Cedarburg in Ozaukee County received $250,000 in ISR funds.

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Capital Catalyst Program

The purpose of the Capital Catalyst Program is to incentivize capital formation and investment in startups and emerging growth companies in Wisconsin. By increasing the availability of capital to startups and emerging growth companies, these companies will be able to grow and attract additional private investment.

Eligible applicants may include units of government, educational institutions, foundations, nonprofit entities, or investment holding entities. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capability and availability of entrepreneurial support. Applicants should also have an established investment/selection committee, investment/funding criteria, application process, and intended use of returns. Investment/funding decisions will focus on companies with a geographic, community, industry, innovation, or other focus area relevant to WEDC strategy.

Recipients must provide a 1:1 match of the funding provided by WEDC. Funds may be used for grants, debt, royalty-based investments, and/or equity investments in startups, early stage, and emerging growth companies in Wisconsin. Funds cannot be used to support expenses related to the relocation of a business between communities in Wisconsin. Recipients must establish a segregated account to receive direct grant funding from WEDC, including the recipient’s matching funds. Returns on loans and/or investments may be used for additional awards, distribution to WEDC and applicant organization, or other approved purposes.

Recipients must periodically submit a performance report documenting the number of organizations assisted and other contract deliverables. WEDC selects awards on a sample basis for an audit, and recipients must maintain financial records for at least three years.
 

  • Assistance Type: Grant

  • Annual/Biennial Funding Amount: (FY24): $3,250,000

    • WEDC: $1,250,000

    • SSBCI (State Small Business Credit Initiative): $2,000,000

  • Application Cycle: Capital Catalyst generally has a continuous application process. Applicants should complete an application through an Account Manager, which will then go through an award review process. For more information on the application process, internal procedures, and award distribution, please refer to WEDC’s award administration policies and procedures.

  • Min./Max Award: $50,000-$500,000

  • Contact and/or Application Link:

Ed Javier, Entrepreneurship Program Director

Phone Number: (608) 210-6850

Email Address: ed.javier@wedc.org
 

Example of Successful Implementation: In 2021, the City of Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County received $300,000.

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Entrepreneurship Partner Grant (EPG)

The EPG encourages the formation of entrepreneurship support programs and develops startup and emerging growth companies in Wisconsin by providing grant funding to eligible entities. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, communities, educational institutions, governmental units, and organizations operating entrepreneurship support programs in Wisconsin. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to effectively manage the program, provide details on operating plans and entrepreneurship resources, and identify matching funds. WEDC evaluates applicants based on various factors including the number of companies/individuals served, historical performance results, operational expenses, industry sector, local economic considerations, replicability, sustainability, matching resources, partnering/collaborating organizations, and innovative approaches to addressing entrepreneurial access and growth.

Funds must be used for expenses directly related to the administration and implementation of the project. Recipients must provide matching funds equal to the funding provided by WEDC according to the amount requested.
 

  • Assistance Type: Grant

  • Annual/Biennial Funding Amount: FY25- $2,250,000

  • Application Cycle: The program has a competitive application process with differing focuses offered periodically throughout the year.

  • Min./Max Award: Generally, the amount of funding per award will not exceed $200,000, but WEDC may exceed that amount under certain circumstances.

  • Contact and/or Application Link:

Ed Javier, Entrepreneurship Program Director

Phone Number: (608) 210-6850

Email Address: ed.javier@wedc.org
 

Example of Successful Implementation: In 2022, the African American Chamber of Commerce in Milwaukee County received $60,000 and the Ashland Area Development Corp. in Ashland County received $120,000.

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The Qualified New Business Venture (QNBV) Certification/Early Stage Business Investment Program

Qualified New Business Venture (QNBV) Certification/Early Stage Business Investment ProgramThe QNBV incentivizes equity investment in technology-based businesses in Wisconsin and promotes economic development by providing tax credits to eligible investors. Businesses headquartered in Wisconsin, Angel investors, Angel investment networks, and Qualified Venture Fund managers are eligible entities. Investors must be accredited investors or sophisticated investors. Businesses seeking certification must meet various criteria including having their headquarters and majority of employees in Wisconsin, engaging in innovation, not primarily engaged in excluded industries, having less than 100 employees, and meeting investment thresholds.Investments must be in cash equity, and investors must not control more than 20% of the ownership interest in the company at the time of investment. Investments from public funds are not eligible. Recipients must be prepared to submit an up-to-date business plan or executive summary and annually submit performance reports documenting investment activities, job creation, financials, and compliance with program requirements.

 

  • Assistance Type: Tax Credit

  • Annual/Biennial Funding Amount: $30,000,000 allocated for FY23 with a limit of $12,000,000 for individual businesses and $30,000,000 for tax credits claimed per calendar year.

  • Application Cycle: Continuous application process through an Account Manager with review and underwriting by WEDC.

  • Min./Max Award: Tax credits equal to 25% of the value of the investment made in certified companies.

  • 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 :

Joey Frayne

Phone Number: (608) 210- 6871

Email Address: joey.frayne@wedc.org

 

Chris Schiffner

Phone Number: (608)210-6826

Email Address: chris.schiffner@wedc.org

 

Example of Successful Implementation: In 2022, AccreVal Laboratories, a manufacturer in Ozaukee County, received $3,000,000.

SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program

The intention of the SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program is to stimulate technological innovation by supporting small businesses in Wisconsin through matching grants for Phase I and/or Phase II awards under the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Technology-based small businesses in Wisconsin or businesses relocating to Wisconsin (within 90 days of receiving the matching grant funding) that are administered by the Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) and are Phase I or Phase II recipients of federal SBIR/STTR funding are eligible. The matching grant is intended to support eligible activities such as customer validation, market research, and intellectual property assessment.
 


Example of Successful Implementation: From 2015-2024, Board of Regents of the University System has received $1,000,000-$1,500,000 each year.

Certified Sites Program

Certified “Shovel-Ready” sites meet consistent standards for industrial site certification, expediting the development timeline, and attracting businesses. Wisconsin communities, organizations, or individuals with a site comprising a minimum of 20 contiguous, developable acres may send an email to the project lead containing their contact information and details about the site, including its location and/or name. Once the application is received, it undergoes a process including desktop review, field visit, and gap mitigation before certification and marketing.

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  • Assistance Type: Technical Assistance

  • Application Cycle: Cycles annually. Submissions due July 10. 

  • Min./Max Award: Non-monetary aid provided through discounted costs to communities and technical assistance.

  • Contact and/or Application Link:

    • Application link

    • Contact:  

Sarah Bownds

608.210.6769

sarah.bownds@wedc.org​​
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Global Trade Ventures

Global Trade Ventures supports the export capabilities of businesses in Wisconsin by providing access to expertise in target markets, accelerating export opportunities, and fostering collaboration between companies within key industries and target countries. Participants must be established businesses operating in Wisconsin that manufacture, process, assemble, and/or distribute a product or perform a service with export potential. Service companies are eligible for support under this program. International professional business service providers or economic development entities seeking to build their international network or support client companies attending the Trade Venture may also participate. Companies are limited to a total participation in no more than five WEDC Trade Ventures/Missions in a five-year period. 
 

  • Assistance Type: Technical Assistance

  • Program link: https://wedc.org/export-from-wisconsin/global-trade-missions/  

  • Annual/Biennial Funding Amount: The program budget for FY24 is $753,634, covering the total costs of program implementation.

  • Min./Max Award: WEDC may subsidize a portion of the business service package cost to eligible Wisconsin companies, with negotiated reduced-rate packages available. Ineligible companies may participate by paying the full market price of the Trade Venture package. 

  • Contact and/or Application Link:

Katie Ujdak

Global Trade and Investment Grants Manager, WEDC,

Phone Number: 608.210.6773

Email Address: katie.ujdak@wedc.org

ExportTech™

ExporTechTM supports Wisconsin companies that manufacture, process, assemble, and/or distribute a product or service with export potential in developing customized international growth plans for their products in key markets, ultimately enhancing their export capabilities and positioning them for success in the global economy. Executive-level involvement is required. Applications and participation agreements are handled, approved, and processed by the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity (WCMP), the authorized administrative entity for ExporTechTM in Wisconsin. 
 

  • Assistance Type: Grant  

  • Annual/Biennial Funding Amount: $144,000 (FY25)

  • Application Cycle: The WMEP and MOC run ExporTech™ programs throughout the year. Eligible Businesses will apply to WCMP who will process and approve applications and enter into participation agreements with eligible businesses. All applications are shared with WEDC for reference and review.

  • Min./Max Award: Scholarship funding covers 50% of ExporTechTM costs, up to $5,000 per eligible participant. Market assessment funding is provided to ExporTechTM graduate companies for in-market research in one of their target markets.​

  • Contact and/or Application Link:

Chad Hoffman, Market Development Director, WEDC

Phone Number: 608.210.6890

Email Address: chad.hoffman@wedc.org

Roxanne Baumann,  Director of Global Engagement, WMEP

Phone Number: 262.442.8279

Email Address: baumann@wmep.org

Heidi Rabeneck, Outreach Program Manager Professional Education Programs and Services, UW-Stout

Phone Number: 715.232.5506

Email Address: rabeneckh@uwstout.edu


Example of Successful Implementation: From 2017-2024, the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity in Dane County has received $82,500-$222,000 each year.

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Site Assessment Grant

The goal of the Site Assessment Grant (SAG) Program is to support community redevelopment in the state of Wisconsin. Any city, village, town, county or redevelopment authority can apply for funds. The property or properties being redeveloped must be one or more contiguous industrial or commercial facilities or sites that are abandoned, idle or underused. Potential expansion or redevelopment of the property must be adversely impacted by actual or perceived contamination. The local governmental unit cannot have caused the environmental contamination that is the grant request's basis. The person that caused the contamination must be unknown, cannot be located or is financially unable to pay the cost of the eligible activities. The community must also provide documentation it has access to the project site to conduct SAG activities.

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  • Assistance Type: Grant

  • Annual/Biennial Funding Amount: $1,000,000

  • Application Cycle: Continuous

  • Min./Max Award: Up to $150,000 per fiscal year or 15% of the available funds appropriated for the fiscal year. WEDC requires at least 20 percent of eligible project costs in matching investment(s). Match investment may include TIF funds, private party contributions or other grant sources. The matching investment should include eligible costs and, at WEDC’s discretion, may also include acquisition costs.

  • Contact and/or Application Link: Please contact your Regional Director - https://wedc.org/contact-us/staff-directory/#regional-economic-development-directors

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Example of Successful Implementation: The City of Manitowoc has received over $400,000 in awards between 2021 and 2023 from the WEDC to support investigation, testing and remedial action planning at the River Point District.  This funding has been key in creating the need for the EPA Cleanup Grants and clearing the way for private development at the site.  

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Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Website 

The button below will bring you to the WEDC website to find more information regarding the application process for the programs listed above.

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