(Stevens Point, Wis., May 26, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development is accepting applications for Rural Business Development Grants. These grants for eligible entities support projects that create jobs and grow the local economy.

“These grants will help create and retain jobs in rural communities across Wisconsin,” said USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Andrew C. Iverson. “The Rural Business Development Grants program helps provide technical assistance and training around the state to drive economic growth.”

Rural Business Development Grant applications have two different closing dates:

  1. June 15, 2026, only applies to Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) applications.
  2. June 30, 2026, applies to the remainder of the applicants.

For more information on how to apply, please visit grants.gov or contact your local USDA Rural Development office.

Applications will compete in separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas. 

Last year, Rural Development invested more than $400,000 in six Rural Business Development Grant projects in Wisconsin that included:

  • In Superior, the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, Inc. is using a $95,000 grant to provide a combination of technical assistance and access to capital to small and emerging businesses in 13 counties in northern Wisconsin. This project will create five jobs and save 40 jobs.
  • In Spooner, the Wisconsin Business Innovation Corporation is using a $55,000 grant to provide technical assistance and consulting services to small, technology-based and manufacturing rural businesses across northwestern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Business Innovation Corporation is offering entrepreneurial coaching, technical and production space assessments, planning for manufacturing facilities, and assistance with product development activities. This project will create seven jobs and create 12 jobs.
  • In Merrill, the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation is using a $21,960 grant to implement a technical assistance initiative, “Driving Business Development in Lincoln County”. This project aims to significantly enhance small business development efforts by providing personalized small business technical assistance services to both current and prospective small businesses throughout Lincoln County. The project will help with business planning and development, identifying and securing funding opportunities, advocacy for small businesses regarding permitting, marketing support, and connections to resources, and education. This project will save 26 jobs.
  • In Middleton, Easter Seals Wisconsin, Inc. is using a $39,900 grant to provide technical assistance funding in 47 counties across Wisconsin. The project is offering initial feasibility screening, a feasibility study, and a business plan development to self-employed individuals with disabilities in rural communities. This project will create five jobs.
  • In Keshena, Woodland Financial Partners, Inc. is using a $120,700 grant to provide technical assistance to 11 Native American tribes in Wisconsin. This project is providing financial projects and services to Native agricultural producers and entrepreneurs. They will provide one-on-one assistance. This will include training in cash flow analysis, business planning, and diversification strategies. Funding will help create 12 new jobs and retain 16 jobs.
  • In Platteville, the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission is using a $68,493 grant to provide technical assistance to small and emerging businesses in five counties. Through regional workshops, small group events, and personalized one-on-one coaching, the commission is offering a three-tier training program in GenAl (artificial Intelligence software). The GenAI software targets the overhead expenses of running a business such as managing inventory, projecting and tracking costs, sales data analysis, marketing support, and human resource guidance. This project will create nine jobs and save nine jobs.

To learn more about the Rural Business Development Grant program, contact wi-rd-bcp-so@usda.gov. For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.

Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov/wi, subscribe to GovDelivery updates, and follow us on X at @RD_Wisconsin.