Announcements and News

Energy Efficiency Program Unveiled
WPPI Energy announced a new program - the "New Construction Design Assistance Program" that provides financial incentives and technical assistance to encourage the design and construction of energy efficient buildings.  The program is available at no charge for any non-residential new construction or major renovation in communities served by WPPI Energy and their affiliates, including Kaukauna and New London.  For more information, please contact Ben Dickson, Program Director, at (608) 834-4500.

Planning Grants Available
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has released two planning grant applications.

The Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program is for regional planning initiatives and requires a consortium of government and non-profit entities to apply. 

• Applications are due August 23, 2010. 
• Eligibility information is on p. 18 of the program section link.

  The Community Challenge Planning Grant Program is focused on individual jurisdictions and more localized planning.

• Eligible entities include state and local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and other governmental bodies
• Eligible activities include the development and implementation of local comprehensive plans
• Pre-applications are due July 26, 2010 and final applications are due August 23, 2010
• Can be applied for in conjunction with the Department of Transportation’s TIGER II Planning Grants

Rural Business Opportunity Grants Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has announced that they are accepting applications for grant for technical assistance, training, and planning activities that improve economic conditions in rural areas and cities and villages with a population of 10,000 or less.  For additional information and program details, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/wi/programs/rbs/opportun.htm.

Grants Available for Manufacturers
State grant funds are available to help Wisconsin manufacturers improve performance, stimulate growth, and respond to new challenges, as the economy recovers.  The "Next Generation Manufacturing" grants, authorized by the Department of Commerce, are targeting small to mid-sized manufacturers with grants of $5,000 to $6,500 to pay up to 50% of projects costs for services delivered by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP).  Eligible projects include lean transformation and for implementing "Eureka! Winning Ways", a system for rapidly generating and testing new product ideas.  For more information, visit www.wmep.org or call 1-877-856-8588.

Rural Energy for America Grant Program
Rural Development is accepting Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) applications for fiscal year 2010.  This competitive grant and guaranteed loan program funded 34 applications in 2009.  Funding priority will be given to small grants of $20,000 or less.  Complete application materials and program information can be found by visiting www.rurdev.usda.gov/wi/programs/rbs/energy/htm.

Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program
The purpose of the Rural Business Enterprise grant program is to finance and facilitate development of small and emerging businesses in rural areas.  Applications may be made by public bodies and nonprofit corporation serving rural areas.  To obtain additional information, copies of the regulation and forms, contact the USDA Rural Development State Office at (715) 345-7610 or visit their web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov/wi.

WMEP & Wisconsin Department of Commerce Announce Joint Venture to Target Exporting
The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce announced a joint venture to ramp up the number of manufacturers that export their goods and services.  This initiative will target small and midsized manufacturers with the goal of assessing and developing their export potential at little or no cost.  For more information, visit http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/ie/IE-OurServices.html.