Community Development Investment Grant (WI)

Community Development Investment Grant (WI)

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
Amount: Up to US $250,000
Last Updated: April 03, 2026

Summary

The Community Development Investment Grant in Wisconsin aims to enhance economic well-being through strategic investments in urban, small city, and rural redevelopment projects. This program supports initiatives that are shovel-ready and focus on revitalizing commercial corridors. Eligible applicants include municipalities and designated private developers, with funds available for activities like building renovation, historic preservation, and infrastructure improvements, fostering job creation and increased property values.

Overview

NOTE: An interested applicant should contact a WEDC Account Manager to determine if their project is right for the program. Upon review of the project, and alignment with eligibility criteria, an applicant will be invited to submit their application through Network Wisconsin. Mission To strategically invest in Wisconsin to enhance the economic well-being of people and their businesses and communities Community Development Investment Grant Purpose The program will support urban, small city and rural community redevelopment efforts by providing financial incentives for catalytic, shovel-ready projects emphasizing commercial corridor driven efforts. Funded activities should lead to measurable benefits in job opportunities, property values and/or leveraged investment by local and private partners.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible Applicants: Community Development Investment grant applicants must meet the following criteria:Be a municipality (including counties, cities, villages, and towns), Tribal entity, other governmental authority, or a private developer designated by a municipality to apply on its behalfProvide a signed resolution by the elected governing body authorizing the submittal of the application(s) to the CDI Grant Program.Propose a project that does one or more of the following:Develops significant destination attractions.Rehabilitates and reuses underutilized or landmark buildings.Infill development.Historic preservation.Infrastructure efforts, including disaster prevention measures, providing substantial benefits to downtown residents or property owners.Mixed-use development (not exclusively residential).Eligible Use of Funds: CDIs can fund the following activities:Building renovationHistoric preservationDemolitionNew constructionInfrastructure investmentBuilding Relocation of CDI project propertyAn applicant that was impacted by an event that has resulted in a State or Federal Disaster Declaration within the 24 months prior to applying may receive funds for mitigation or preparedness planning and will receive additional considerations including the following:WEDC may reduce or waive the match requirementsApplicants must demonstrate that other funding mechanisms (CDBG, WI Disaster Fund, FEMA, etc.) have been evaluated and fully utilized before applying for WEDC CDI Grant funding.Matching:The applicant must provide matching funds in an amount of 3:1 of the CDI Grant being requested. In any of the following circumstances, the matching funds requirement is reduced to 1:1:The project is located in an Economically Distressed or Rural Community.The project is located in an Opportunity Zone.A key component of a secured/defined development is to provide childcare services or expand housing availability.For applicants where the project is in the designated district of a WEDC Main Street Community.No more than 50% of eligible project costs may consist of other state and/or federal grant sources, excluding federal ARPA funds; exceptions can be made for projects utilizing federal ARPA funds.No more than one grant per fiscal year shall be located within the boundary of a municipality, unless the applicant is in an economically distressed community or opportunity zone; in which case applicants can apply for up to two CDI grants per fiscal year.

Ineligibility

Activities ineligible for program assistance or match include, but are not limited to:EventsPrivate spaces that are not open to the publicActivities that are otherwise eligible to be funded through other programs offered by WEDCPast costsIn-kind contributionsIndirect expenses (a.k.a. “soft costs”)