Bringing new life to idle sites

Redeveloped idle industrial, institutional, and commercial sites can again become generators for economic development and an improved quality of life for the cities and communities where they are located. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC’s) Idle Sites Redevelopment Program helps communities pursue this opportunity.

How It Works

The Idle Sites Redevelopment Program offers grants up to $250,000 to Wisconsin communities to implement redevelopment plans for large commercial, institutional, or industrial sites that have been idle, abandoned or underutilized for a period of at least two years.

Eligibility Requirements

Grants may be made to cities, villages, towns, counties, tribal entities or governmental entities for idle industrial sites, commercial sites, or institutional parcels exceeding four acres in size where redevelopment is impeded due to existing site conditions. For commercial parcels in designated economically distressed communities or Opportunity Zones, parcels need to exceed two acres. For institutional parcels, properties less than four acres may be considered when the property is located within a commercial corridor.

Eligible Activities

Grant funds may typically be used for the following activities:

  • Building rehabilitation or demolition
  • Environmental remediation
  • Infrastructure improvements

Successful applicants will be able to provide either:

  • If a private developer is participating in the project, an officially approved development agreement that describes the project and its goals, anticipated outcomes, project timeline, and actions, obligations and investments to be made by each party
  • If the project does not have a private developer, an officially approved resolution that describes the project and its goals, anticipated outcomes, project timeline, and actions, obligations and investments necessary to achieve redevelopment