The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has created a new grant program to assist communities with their revitalization and development efforts. Through the Idle Industrial Site Redevelopment Program, WEDC will spend $3 million annually on demolition, remediation or specific site improvements across the state.

The Idle Industrial Site Redevelopment Program offers grants of up to $1 million to Wisconsin communities for implementation of redevelopment plans for large industrial sites that have been idle, abandoned, or underutilized for a period of at least five years.

Grants are available to cities, villages, towns, redevelopment authorities, community development authorities, or other government entities for idle industrial sites exceeding 10 acres in size where redevelopment is impeded due to existing site conditions.

The new program was approved by the WEDC Board as part of the organization’s FY 2014 operations plan.

WEDC is holding information sessions around the state with community development leaders to promote the organization’s community development tools. Briefings will be held in Omro, Antigo, Algoma, West Allis, Madison, Platteville, Tomah, Chippewa Falls, and Hayward.