HOW WEDC CAN ASSIST DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY Jennifer Hagner Campbell, Senior Staff Counsel Mary Gage, Senior Economic Development Director 2018 Municipalities Attorneys Institute Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation 2011 Wisconsin Act 7 created the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation as the state of Wisconsin s lead economic development organization. Replaced the former Department of Commerce, and non-economic development functions transferred to other state agencies Mission: To advance and maximize opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. PURPOSE Governed by Chapter 238 of the Wisconsin Statutes, with the primary purpose of developing and implementing economic programs to provide business support and expertise and financial assistance to companies that are investing and creating jobs in Wisconsin and to support new business start-ups and business expansion and growth in Wisconsin and developing and implementing any other programs related to economic development in Wisconsin. 1
CATALYSTS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH Business Development Community and Economic Opportunity Operational and Fiscal Excellence Strategic Economic Competitiveness Brand Development and Management ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGIONS COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY Wisconsin provides many programs to help communities spur local economic development. 2
Programs for Communities Technical Assistance Programs Certified Sites Main Street Program Connect Communities Program Financial Assistance Programs Site Assessment Grants Brownfields Grant Program Community Development Investment Grant Idle Sites Redevelopment Program Certified Sites Enables and promotes shove-ready development sites. A Certified Site designation serves as a prequalification, indicating that a property s title is clear; that it possesses sufficient utilities and other infrastructure for industrial use, and that it is properly zoned and has adequate transportation access for such uses, among other criteria. MAIN STREET & CONNECT COMMUNITIES 3
Main Street Program Program outlined in Wis. Stat. 238.127. Communities selected to participate in the Wisconsin Main Street Program receive free, intensive technical assistance. The end goal is to enable participating communities to professionally manage a downtown or historic commercial district that is stable, physically attractive, competitive and visible. Connect Communities Program Helps local leaders leverage the unique assets of their downtowns and commercial districts, providing access to resources and networking opportunities to local leaders interested in starting a district revitalization effort. Thriving Wisconsin Communities MAIN STREET COMMUNITIES CONNECT COMMUNITIES 4
Site Assessment Grants Provides grants of up to $150,000 to local governments seeking to redevelop sites with economic or community development potential that are or may be adversely impacted by environmental contamination. Grant funds are to be utilized to define the degree and extent of groundwater and soil contamination along with identifying and assessing vapor intrusion issues. Program governed by Wis. Stat. 238.133. SITE ASSESSMENT GRANTS Eligible Recipients Local Governmental Unit City, village, town, county, redevelopment authority, community development authority, or housing authority. Eligible Uses The investigation of environmental contamination for the purpose of reducing or eliminating soil and or groundwater contamination. The demolition of any structures, buildings, or other improvements located on an eligible site. Asbestos abatement activities. The removal of abandoned containers; underground hazardous storage tank systems; or underground petroleum product storage tank systems. Matching Funds Requirement Applicant must contribute at least 50% of the awarded grant to eligible project costs. Site Assessment Grant Program 68 Awards from FY12 FY17 5
Brownfields Program Provides grants of up to $500,000 for redeveloping commercial and industrial sites that have been adversely impacted by environmental contamination. Program requirements in Wis. Stat. 238.13. BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM Eligible Recipients City, village, town, county, individual, tribal entity, or business, provided that the party that caused the environmental contamination and any person who possessed or controlled the environmental contaminant is unknown, cannot be located, or is financially unable to pay Eligible Uses Environmental investigation, remediation, and/or monitoring of the site. Removal of hazardous waste containers. Soil removal, capping, barrier installation, and vapor intrusion systems. Demolition activities that will facilitate redevelopment in a brownfield project. Matching Funds Requirement Applicant must contribute at least 70% of the awarded grant to eligible project costs. Brownfield Grant Program 78 Awards from FY12 FY17 6
Community Development Investment Grant Provides grants of up to $250,000 to support urban, small city and rural community redevelopment efforts for shovel-ready projects with emphasis on, but not limited to, downtown community-driven efforts. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT GRANT Eligible Recipients City, village, town, county, tribal entity, or other governmental entity. Limited to one grant per year. Eligible Uses Building renovation. Historic preservation. Demolition. New construction. Infrastructure Investment. Project or site development planning. Matching Funds Requirement Applicant must contribute funds to eligible project costs in a ratio to the grant funds of at least 3:1. Community Development Investment Grant Program 79 Awards from FY12 FY17 7
Idle Sites Redevelopment Program Provides grants of up to $500,000 to Wisconsin communities for the redevelopment of sites that have been idle, abandoned, or underutilized for a period of at least five years. Projects should advance the site to shovel ready status or enhance the site s market attractiveness. IDLE SITES REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Eligible Recipients City, village, town, county, tribal entity, or other governmental entity. Limited to one grant per year. Eligible Uses Demolition. Environmental remediation. Rehabilitation. Infrastructure Matching Funds Requirement WEDC funds cannot exceed 30% of eligible project costs. Idle Site Redevelopment Program 19 Awards from FY12 FY17 8
Programs for Businesses & Other Organizations Business & Community Development Business Development Tax Credits Capacity Building Grants Development Opportunity Zone Enterprise Zone Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits Industrial Revenue Bonds Minority Business Development Program Workforce Training Grants Sector Strategy Development Fabrication Laboratories Targeted Industry Projects Entrepreneurship & Innovation Technology Development Loan Qualified New Business Venture Capital Catalyst Seed Accelerator Entrepreneurial Micro-Grant SBIR/STTR International Business Development ExporTech International Market Access Grants Global Trade Ventures Case Study QUESTIONS? 9
Jennifer Hagner Campbell Senior Staff Counsel, WEDC (608) 210-6811 jennifer.campbell@wedc.org Mary Gage, CEcD, EDFP Senior Economic Development Director, WEDC (608) 210-6750 mary.gage@wedc.org 10