Wisconsin Department of Commerce: DHCD-About Us -

Division assistance may take the form of public facilities grants which benefit communities that need to upgrade their infrastructure to meet the needs of residents or expanding businesses.
Funds to assist economic development at the grass roots level are available through the Community-Based Economic Development Program and CDBG-Planning, helping communities prepare economic development plans, assist specific firms, support business incubators, promote venture capital, and foster regional economic development efforts.
Communities and businesses are aided in their efforts to develop environmentally contaminated areas through grants provided under the Brownfields Initiative and the Blight Elimination and Brownfield Redevelopment Program.
In times of disaster, the Division can offer communities prompt assistance with clean-up activities and with recovery efforts including repairing of housing and municipal infrastructure through funding provided by the Emergency Program.
The Division helps expand and improve affordable housing and support service to people by managing federal and state programs that aid the elderly, people with disabilities, low-and moderate-income residents and homeless persons.
Downtown business districts are on the rise in many Wisconsin communities, thanks to efforts of local citizens and the Wisconsin Main Street Program. Local communities, as well as individual businesses, are strengthened as the result of revitalized downtowns that have come about with assistance from Main Street staff.