Wisconsin Economic Development Invests $229 Million in 67 of Wisconsin’s 72 Counties

Thursday, August 6th, 2026 -- 11:01 AM

Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), announced that in fiscal year 2026, which ended June 30, 2026, WEDC invested $229 million in 67 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, supporting hundreds of local businesses, nonprofits, partner organizations, and communities throughout the state.

The investments are supporting efforts to recruit and retain talented workers by investing in child care, housing, and community development, to bolster Wisconsin’s entrepreneurs, startups, and Main Streets, and support rural economies and expand Wisconsin’s global exports.   

Just some of the highlights of WEDC’s grant programs in fiscal year 2026 include:

Five counties, including Waukesha, Sauk, Richland, Wood, and Sheboygan, received a total of nearly $10 million to convert former University of Wisconsin facilities into housing, commercial space, and other uses.

Two communities received their first ISR grants including Wisconsin Rapids, which is using the grant to convert an idle paper mill to a manufacturing and coworking space.

Seventeen community organizations received a total of $5 million in Talent Recruitment Grants including the city of Medford.

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