Sauk County Development Corporation (SCDC)
SCDC Offers many resources for business growth and start-up They will help you find resources and grants that promote growth and development for you and your company. Visit http://www.scdc.com/ for more info.  

Sauk County Arts and Culture Grants

Sauk County offers two different grant programs.  These grants are supported in part by a grant from the Sauk County Extension Education, Arts, & Culture Committee and Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sauk County Arts, Humanities and Historic Preservation (AHHP) grants support major projects developed by community organizations and local governments seeking supplementary funds for local arts, history or humanities projects.  Award amounts are up to $5,000 and require matching funds. Grant applications are usually due in late January and awarded in the beginning of March. Eligible projects could include public exhibitions, performances, publications, lectures, and documentaries. For more information see the link below.

Good Idea! Grant Program is an incubator grant program is designed to support and leverage the creativity of Sauk County artists, craftspeople, musicians, writers, historians and non-profit arts, humanities or historical preservation organizations in endeavors that will contribute to Sauk County’s creative economy. Funds are awarded monthly and may be applied for any time during the year.

Visit https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/artsandculture/sauk-county-arts-culture-grant-opportunities or call 608-355-3250 to learn more

Spring Green Area Arts Coalition
The Arts Coalition awards four different kinds of grants throughout the year. The Creative Community and Artistic Development grants are made possible by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board that is matched with funds generated through fundraising events, major gifts from local businesses, and contributions from individuals. The Arts Coalition is one of 16 statewide groups responsible for distributing state funds to local arts programs. More info on Creative grants available here: http://www.springgreenarts.org/creative-grants

The Lions Club Grants
Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) provides grant funding to assist Lions districts in developing and implementing humanitarian projects. These humanitarian grants help Lions expand their outreach and increase their impact within local and global communities to serve even more people in need around the world. More info on Grants available here: lcif.org/EN/apply-for-a-grant/

The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL), Wisconsin’s oldest state agency, is comprised of our Secretary of State, State Treasurer and Attorney General. The BCPL carries on the pioneering commitment of our state’s early leaders to a constitutionally protected form of public education financing that originated with millions of acres of School Trust Lands granted by the federal government pursuant to the Morrill Act.

Nearly all of the School Trust Lands were sold over 100 years ago. The proceeds were used to establish the School Trust Funds, which continue to grow with revenue from unclaimed property, clear proceeds of civil and criminal fees, fines and forfeitures, and timber production on remaining School Trust Lands. The BCPL manages these Funds and the remaining School Trust Lands for the benefit of public school libraries, the University of Wisconsin, and every day Wisconsinites. The BCPL also maintains a rich archive of historical records related to the agency’s past and present land holdings.

With only 9.5 full-time employees the BCPL manages over $1 billion in Trust Fund assets and 77,000 acres of School Trust Lands - at no cost to the taxpayer.  By distributing over 96 cents on every dollar earned from investments to Wisconsin’s K-12 public school beneficiaries, its trust fund management is unrivalled by counterparts in the public and private sector. In short, the BCPL is a very special and significant constitutionally-mandated agency.

Here’s something extra special: Since 1871, BCPL has invested in loans to municipalities and school districts for public purpose projects including economic development, local infrastructure, capital equipment and vehicles, building repairs and improvements, and refinancing existing liabilities to reduce future borrowing costs. To this day, BCPL is among the largest public investors in economic development projects and local infrastructure projects within the State of Wisconsin.  Over the past decade, the agency has invested over $1 billion in communities throughout Wisconsin. For our area municipalities, the Chamber is glad to inform you the BCPL offers fixed rate loans with interest rates that are competitive with the bond market and other financial institutions. Their application process is extremely simple, and borrowers pay no application fees, prepayment penalties, or any other fees.  Of course, the best part of the loan program is that 96% of interest earned is distributed annually to fund public school library materials throughout Wisconsin! For additional information, including fact sheets on general obligation and revenue obligation loans and an explanation of the application process, please visit the BCPL State Trust Fund Program webpage.

The Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR) develops housing policy and offers a broad range of program assistance and funds to address homelessness and support affordable housing, public infrastructure, and economic development opportunities. The Division partners with local governments and service providers, non-profit agencies, housing authorities, and developers. In addition, DEHCR administers the statewide program to assist eligible households by providing electric and heating bill payment assistance, as well as benefits and services to assist with energy crisis situations. Eligible households may also receive weatherization services. The programs administered by DEHCR are as follows:

• Affordable Housing Programs fund home purchase and rehabilitation, single family and multifamily development. Affordable Housing Programs include:
  • Community Development Block Grant – Small Cities Housing Program (CDBG);
  • Community Development Block Grant – Revolving Loan Fund (CDBG-RLF);
  • Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO);
  • HOME Homebuyer and Rehabilitation Program (HHR);
  • HOME Rental Housing Development (RHD);
  • Housing Cost Reduction Initiative Program (HCRI); and,
  • Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).
• Community Development Programs fund public infrastructure, blight elimination, business development and disaster recovery assistance. Community Development Programs include:
  • Community Development Block Grant – Emergency Assistance Program (CDBG-EAP);
  • Community Development Block Grant – Public Facilities Economic Development (CDBG-PFED);
  • Economic Development Program (CDBG-ED);
  • Planning Program (CDBG-PLNG);
  • Public Facilities Program (CDBG-PF); and,
  • Revolving Loan Fund (CDBG-RLF-ED).
• Energy Assistance Programs assist eligible households with heating and electric bill payment and those facing energy crises as well as provide assistance with home weatherization. Energy Assistance Programs include:
  • Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP); and,
  • Wisconsin’s Weatherization Assistance Program.
• Supportive Housing Programs fund homeless and special needs programs in Wisconsin. Supportive Housing Programs include:
  • Critical Assistance;
  • Employment Grants Program;
  • ETH Program;
  • Homeless Case Management Services Grants Program;
  • Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA);
  • Interest Bearing Real Estate Trust Account (IBRETA);
  • Institute for Community Services (ICA);
  • Landlord Tenant Fund;
  • Projects for Assistance in the Transition from Homelessness (PATH);
  • State Shelter Subsidy Grant Program (SSSG); and,
  • Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Rural Development is the primary federal agency established to improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. The Office of Rural Development offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services such as housing, health care, first responder services and equipment, and water, electric and communications infrastructure. The Office also promotes economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks, credit unions and community-managed lending pools. This extends to technical assistance and information to help agricultural producers and cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their operations. Likewise, the Office provides technical assistance to help communities undertake community empowerment programs. For example, the agency helps rural residents buy or rent safe, affordable housing and make health and safety repairs to their homes. To give you an idea of the breath of the Office’s mandate, below is an exhaustive list of economic development grant and loan programs available for both the public and private sector. For additional information on the programs and services rendered by the Office of Rural Development, please visit www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services.

• Business Development Programs, to stimulate rural business creation and growth. Here’s a current listing:
  • Business and Industry Loan Guarantees (B&I);
  • Intermediary Relending Program (IRP);
  • Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG);
  • Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP);
  • Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG);
  • Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP);
  • Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grants; and,
  • Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG).
• Community Economic Development Programs, which includes the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program, Strategic Economic and Community Development, and Stronger Economies Together.
• Community Facilities Programs, for public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally-recognized American Indian Tribes. Here’s a current listing of grants and loans available:
  • Community Facilities Direct Loans & Grants;
  • Community Facilities Loan Guarantees;
  • Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant;
  • Economic Impact Initiative Grants;
  • Rural Community Development Initiative Grants; and,
  • Tribal College Initiative Grants.
• Cooperative Programs, to address deficiencies in the marketplace for such farm activities as marketing products or acquire equipment. Other services provided by cooperatives include supplying electricity, fuel, telecommunications, credit and financial services, housing, food, hardware and building supplies, among other services.
• Electric Programs, turning on the lights across rural America. Here’s a current listing of grants and loans available:
  • Denali Commission High Energy Cost Grants;
  • Distributed Generation Energy Project Financing;
  • Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program (FFB);
  • Energy Efficiency & Conservation Loans;
  • High Energy Cost Grants;
  • Rural Energy Savings Program;
  • State Bulk Fuel Revolving Loan Fund; and,
  • Energy Resource Conservation.
• Energy Programs, authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014, to offer funding to complete energy audits, provide renewable energy development assistance, make energy efficiency improvements and install renewable energy systems. Here’s a current listing of grants and loans available:
  • Advanced Biofuel Payment Program;
  • Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program;
  • Repowering Assistance Program;
  • Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audits & Renewable Energy Development Grants; and,
  • Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants.
• Multi-Family Housing Programs, for low-income, elderly and disabled individuals and families as well as domestic farm laborers. Here’s a current listing of grants and loans available:
  • Farm Labor Direct Loans & Grants;
  • Housing Preservation & Revitalization Demonstration Loans & Grants;
  • Housing Preservation Grants;
  • Multi-Family Housing Direct Loans;
  • Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantees; and,
  • Multi-Family Housing Rental Assistance.
• Single Family Housing Programs give families and individuals the opportunity to buy, build, repair or own safe and affordable homes located in rural America. Here’s a current listing of grants and loans available:
  • Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans;
  • Single Family Housing Home Loan Guarantees;
  • Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants provide funds to elderly and very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards, perform necessary repairs, improve or modernize a home, make homes accessible for people with disabilities, or make homes more energy efficient so these very-low-income families use less of their income on utility bills;
  • Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants; and,
  • Rural Housing Site Loans.
• Telecom Programs, making broadband accessible for rural America. Here’s a current listing of grants and loans available:
  • Community Connect Grants;
  • Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants;
  • Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program; and,
  • Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Guarantees.
• Water and Environmental Programs, for developing drinking water and waste disposal systems. Here’s a current listing of grants and loans available:
  • Circuit Rider Program;
  • Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants;
  • Grants for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages;
  • Household Water Well System Grants;
  • Individual Water & Wastewater Grants;
  • SEARCH - Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households;
  • Solid Waste Management Grants;
  • Water & Waste Disposal Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands and Colonias;
  • Water & Waste Disposal Loans & Grants;
  • Water & Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees;
  • Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants;
  • Water & Waste Disposal Revolving Loan Funds; and,

Water & Waste Disposal Technical Assistance & Training Grants.

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) was created in 1972 by act of the Wisconsin Legislature to meet an increasing need for affordable housing financing. The Legislature broadened WHEDA’s remit in 1983 to include financing for the expansion of business and agricultural activity in the state. As a lender, WHEDA has over $2 billion in assets.

Since 1972, WHEDA has issued over $10.8 billion in tax-exempt and taxable bonds to invest in affordable housing and economic development, financed more than 73,000 affordable rental units, helped more than 122,000 families purchase a home, and made more than 29,000 small business and agricultural loan guarantees to Wisconsinites. The following WHEDA-administered programs may be used towards economic development in your community:

• Agribusiness Guarantee (AGBG) Program;
• Agricultural Production Disaster Assistance Guarantee Program (Disaster) ;
• Crop Relief Outreach Program (Crop) Guarantee;
• Farm Asset Reinvestment Management (FARM) Guarantee Program;
• Wisconsin Participation Lending Program (WPLP); and,
• Wisconsin Small Business Guarantee (WSBG) Program.