The resources in this page may link to external websites. The City of Berlin exercises no control over these sites or their content. While the information was reliable when provided, the City does not guarantee its ongoing accuracy. Users should verify information on external sites.
Business
Local Funding
The Berlin Community Development Corporation administers the Small Cities CDBG Close fund for the City of Berlin and the USDA Small Business Development Grant offering low-interest loans for Business Retention and Expansion in the City of Berlin. Read the following manuals for more information of requirements and program specific parameters.
City of Berlin Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
A flexible source of loan funds for medium to large employer’s commercial start-up, upgrading, and expanding their commercial or industrial facilities. The goal of the fund is to encourage the creation of jobs as well as the tax base.
RLF Manual and Application (PDF)
United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
The Berlin Community Development Corporation administers the USDA-RLF program that offers low-interest loans for start-ups, newly established, and growing small businesses in the City of Berlin. Recommends at least 20% match to leverage loan; often used for gap financing.
USDA RLF Manual and Application (PDF)
If you have questions call Marie- BCDC Economic Development Assistant at Email 920-361-5340
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State Funding
- WWBIC KIVA- Backed Microlending Fund by Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (External Link)
- General Information regarding KIVA Loans (External Link)
- Through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and all Main Street and Connect Communities can leverage a Kiva match if you are a women, minority, or veteran-owned business up to $5,000.
- Loans of up to $15,000 at 0% interest for three years.
- Wisconsin Economic Development Institute- 2024 Handbook of State Funding (PDF)
- A detailed guide to all state grant and loan programs.
- We strive to feature the relevant and available programs on this webpage, but we cannot foresee additional unconventional options.
- This also encompasses a significant amount of non-business funding.
Department of Administration Community Development Block Grant:
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- Note: The City of Berlin does not qualify as a Low to Moderate Income Community according to the Department of Administration Measures. This indicates that an income survey showing a concentrated need for LMI is necessary prior to submitting any funding application.
- Economic Development Program (External Link)
- Grant Funds awarded to local governments to assist businesses to create or retain jobs for individuals with low and moderate incomes.
- Examples of eligible projects include: business loans to expand facilities or purchase equipment, specialized employee training, or business infrastructure projects.
- Public Facilities Economic Development Program (External Link)
- Grant Funds are awarded to local governments for public infrastructure projects that support business expansion or retention.
- Examples of eligible applications include: new or improved water & sewer service and streets that result in business expansion and job opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals.
- Emergency Assistance Program (External Link)
- Grant funds used to assist local units of government in addressing emergency housing, public facility, infrastructure, and business assistance needs that occur as a result of natural or manmade disasters.
- Examples of eligible applications include: housing rehabilitation, acquisition/demolition, housing replacement, road repairs, storm water drainage and public facilities.
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Funding:
Contacts for WEDC
General Number: 855-469-4249
East Central Wisconsin Regional Directors:
Jon Bartz- Regional Economic Development Director
and
Naletta Sanchez- Regional Economic Development Director
- Business Development Tax Credits (External Link)
- The Business Development Tax Credit (BTC) Program supports job creation, capital investment, training and the location or retention of corporate headquarters.
- ExporTech (External Link)
- ExporTech helps Wisconsin companies expand their global market reach through targeted export strategy development and execution.
- Industrial Revenue Bonds
- Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) are designed to help Wisconsin municipalities support industrial development through the sale of tax-exempt bonds.
- Innovation Investments (External Link)
- Check out our growing portfolio. We’ve helped hundreds of visionaries just like you turn their dreams into reality.
- Enterprise Zone Tax Credit (External Link)
- Make use of refundable tax credits for companies undertaking major expansion projects in or relocating major business operations from other states to Wisconsin.
- Industrial Revenue Bond (External Link)
- Tap into these unique revenue bonds organized and issued by a state or local government, the proceeds of which are directed to a private, for-profit business.
- International Market Access Grant (External Link)
- Wisconsin companies can be reimbursed for specific expenses associated with a short-term export development project that will help to grow their presence in an international market.
- Size Up Wisconsin (External Link)
- WEDC’s SizeUpWI tool gives small and midsize Wisconsin businesses and entrepreneurs access to this market intelligence for free.
- Technology Development Loan Program (External Link)
- This program provides direct financial assistance to startup and emerging growth companies in Wisconsin that are developing and commercializing innovative products and services..
- Qualified New Business Venture Program (External Link)
- Wisconsin’s Qualified New Business Venture (QNBV) Program offers incentives for investment in early-stage Wisconsin businesses with the potential for significant economic impact and job growth. This program creates mutually beneficial outcomes for investors, businesses, and Wisconsin’s economy.
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority:
Contacts for WHEDA
General Contact:
Jon Searles – Director of Community & Economic Development
Southwest Region
Rebecca Giroux – Regional Community & Economic Development Officer
- Small Business Guarantee Program (External Link)
- WHEDA small business loan guarantees help reduce the financial risk to small business lenders and ensure that qualified Wisconsin small businesses have access to funding.
- Participation Lending (External Link)
- The Participation Lending Program pairs WHEDA with community lenders, banks, credit unions, community development institutions and other entities that provide commercial loans to Wisconsin businesses.
- Strategic Business Program {Formerly known as Emerging Business Tax Credits} (External Link)
- The WHEDA Strategic Business Program (formerly known as the Emerging Business Program) encourages contracting with economically disadvantaged businesses and union contractors. Participation is encouraged with an award of housing tax credits beginning with the 2025 award cycle.
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Federal Funding
United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development – Note: Some Programs have limited open periods.
- Business & Industrial Loan Guarantees (External Link)
- This program offers loan guarantees to lenders for their loans to rural businesses.
- Intermediary Relending Program (External Link)
- This program provides 1 percent low-interest loans to local lenders or “intermediaries” that re-lend to businesses to improve economic conditions and create jobs in rural communities.
- Rural Business Investment Program (External Link)
- This program provides a Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC) license to newly formed developmental capital organizations to help meet the equity capital investment needs in rural communities.
- Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program (External Link)
- USDA provides grants to local utility organizations which use the funding to establish Revolving Loan Funds (RLF). Loans are made from the revolving loan fund to projects that will create or retain rural jobs. When the revolving loan fund is terminated, the grant is repaid to USDA.
- Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (External Link)
- This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations to:
– To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
– Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.
- This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations to:
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Other Business Funding Resources:
- Department of Transportation {DOT} Transportation Economic Assistance {TEA} Program (External Link)
- The TEA program provides funding of up to $1 million to governing bodies for the completion of road, rail, harbor or airport improvements that support the increase or creation of jobs. If you are in need of the above improvements, please reach out to the City.
- Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation Loans (External Link)
- WWBIC makes loans to small and micro start-up and established businesses from $1,000 to $350,000. They work with both women and men in analyzing their business’ financial needs and guiding them through the loan process.
- Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development – Fast Forward Grant Program (External Link)
- The objective of the Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) expanded grant program is to award funds that reimburse the costs of workforce development activities, as specified in the Grant Program Announcement (GPA).
- Small Business Administration {SBA} 504 Loan (External Link)
- SBA partners with lenders to help increase small business access to loans. SBA works through local lenders throughout the state of Wisconsin.
- Wisbank directory of regional lenders administering this program (External Link)
- WBD – Lender for East Central Wisconsin out of Oshkosh (External Link)
Contact City of Berlin Planning and Development Director- Tim Ludolph for assistance and discussion of the above resources. Email tludolph@cityofberlin.wi.gov 920-361-5156
Redevelopment
State Funding
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation:
- Brownfield Site Assessment Grant (External Link)
- Wisconsin’s Brownfield Site Assessment Grant (SAG) Program provides grant funds to approved projects to assist with conducting initial environmental assessment and demolition activities on an eligible abandoned, idle or underutilized industrial or commercial site.
- Brownfields Grant Program (External Link)
- Wisconsin’s Brownfields Grant Program provides funds to assist with the remediation of environmental contamination of abandoned, idle, or underused industrial or commercial facilities or sites. This program helps convert contaminated sites into productive properties that are attractive and ready for redevelopment.
- Community Development Investment {CDI} Grant (External Link)
- WEDC’s Community Development Investment Grant Program will support urban, small city and rural community (re)development efforts by providing financial incentives for shovel-ready projects with emphasis on, but not limited to, downtown community-driven efforts.
- Idle Sites Redevelopment Program (External Link)
- 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.
- Historic Preservation Tax Credit – Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation information on the program (External Link)
- Department of Revenue {DOR} Information (External Link)
- The Historic Preservation Tax Credit applies to certified historic buildings. Under the program, owners of eligible buildings may receive a state income tax credit for 20 percent of the qualified rehabilitated expenditures up to $3.5 million. This may be utilized to match the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits Information from the National Park Service (External Link).
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources:
- Wisconsin Assessment Monies {WAM} Grant (External Link
- The Wisconsin Assessment Monies (WAM) program provides funding to address specific brownfields sites where potential or known contamination is acting as an impediment to economic redevelopment. The DNR’s Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program administers funds through WAM contractor services awards and community managed subgrants.
- Ready for Reuse Loan and Grant Program (External Link)
- The Ready for Reuse program provides funding to eligible entities to clean up brownfield properties. A match contribution of at least 22% of the amount requested is required; other state or local grants may be used as match if the loan periods overlap. Federal grants may not be used as a match contribution.
- Knowles Nelson Stewardship Grant Program (External Link)
- Grants to local governments and nonprofits. Stewardship grants fund local park infrastructure, boat ramp facilities, recreational trails and land purchases for parks and nature preserves statewide.
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority:
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Restore Main Street
- Restore Main Street Competitive Loan
The Restore Main Street Loan helps renovate units above street-level commercial spaces. Many of these units stay vacant because of high renovation costs and challenges in securing financing for mixed-use properties. These projects strengthen main streets by integrating housing with local businesses and supporting thriving, walkable downtowns.Total funding: $100 million
Funding awarded as of fall 2025: $440,000 -
Restore Main Street Application Materials
- Restore Main Street Competitive Loan
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Vacancy-to-Vitality Competitive Loan
The Vacancy-to-Vitality Loan helps convert vacant commercial buildings into workforce or senior housing. These conversions can be expensive due to structural changes needed to redesign the floor plate for housing, zoning and regulatory changes or construction costs. These projects expand housing without new land use and often have lower infrastructure demands and shorter development timelines than projects on empty land.
- Total funding: $100 million
Funding awarded as of fall 2025: $12,319,559 -
Infrastructure Access Loan
The Infrastructure Access Loan helps developers cover the cost of installing, replacing, upgrading, or improving public infrastructure for workforce or senior housing. When infrastructure is provided by developers, it can add significant costs to a project, putting upward pressure on rents and home sale prices. Infrastructure Access reduces housing costs by providing low-cost loans for critical needs such as water systems, roads and utility extensions.Funding available: $275 million
Funds awarded as of fall 2025: $10,701,493-
Infrastructure Access Application Materials
- Infrastructure Access Loan Term Sheet for Developers for Multifamily Rental Housing (PDF)
- Infrastructure Access Loan Term Sheet for Developers for Single-Family Housing (PDF)
- Infrastructure Access Loan Term Sheet for Governmental Units (PDF)
- Infrastructure Access Loan Application for Developers (PDF)
- Infrastructure Access Loan Award Plan for Developers (PDF)
- Infrastructure Access Loan Application for Governmental Units (PDF)
- Infrastructure Access Loan Award Plan for Governmental Units (PDF)
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Federal Funding
In unusual situations of contamination, the Department of Natural Resources may assist with Environmental Protection Agency Funding
- EPA Brownfield Grants (External Link) :
- assessment grants;
- revolving loan fund grants; and
- cleanup grants.
- The EPA supports assessment and cleanup of contaminated properties through assessment, multipurpose and revolving loan fund grants. Job training and technical assistance grants are also available.
- National Park Service- Save American’s Treasures (PDF)
- For the preservation or conservation on nationally significant properties
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Contact City of Berlin Planning and Development Director- Tim Ludolph for assistance and discussion of the above resources. Email: tludolph@cityofberlin.wi.gov Phone: 920-361-5156
Residential
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Federal Funding
Housing and Urban Development- Community Development Block Grant
City of Berlin residents can apply for the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to offer housing rehabilitation program for community’s ability to conserve, rehabilitate, and improve residential properties occupied by low-to-moderate (LMI) residents. The City of Berlin is part of Juneau County Housing Authority and can apply for the funds through them. Link to program information (External Link)
CDBG Residential Rehabilitation Website (External Link)
CDBG Homeowner Application (External Link)
CDBG Rental Application (External Link)
CDBG Income Limit (External Link)
United State Department of Agriculture- Rural Development Office:
- Single Family Housing Repair Loans + Grants – Section 504 (External Link)
- Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, this provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.
- WI Income Limits & Program Summary for Home Repair Loans and Grants (PDF)
- WI Packager List (PDF)
- Multi-Family Housing Rental Assistance (External Link)
- This program provides payments to owners of USDA-financed Rural Rental Housing or Farm Labor Housing projects on behalf of low-income tenants unable to pay their full rent.
- Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans (External Link)
- Also known as the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, this program assists low- and very-low-income applicants obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase an applicant’s repayment ability. Payment assistance is a type of subsidy that reduces the mortgage payment for a short time. The amount of assistance is determined by the adjusted family income.
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State Funding
WHEDA announces Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP)
Need a new furnace or looking to add more square footage to your home? The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) will offer a new financing product in January 2023 to enable Wisconsin homeowners to make improvements and needed repairs.
More Information from Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (External Link)
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Contact City of Berlin Planning and Development Director- Tim Ludolph for assistance and discussion of the above resources. Email tludolph@cityofberlin.wi.gov 920-361-5156
Tax Incremental Finance (TIF)
Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) is a financing option that allows a municipality (city, village or town) to fund infrastructure and other improvements, through property tax revenue of newly developed property. A municipality identifies an area, the tax incremental district (TID), as appropriate for a certain type of development. The municipality identifies projects to encourage and facilitate the desired development. Then as property values rise, the municipality uses the property tax paid on that development to pay for the projects. After the project costs are paid, the municipality closes the TID. The municipality, school(s), county, and technical college are able to levy taxes on the value of the new development.
Types of TID:
- Blight
- Rehabilitation
- Conservation
- Industrial
- Mixed-Use
- Environmental Remediation
The Wisconsin State Department of Revenue has prepared additional information:
Tax Increment Finance (TIF) – Generally Frequently Asked Questions (External Link)
City of Berlin Tax Increment Districts and Plans
- Tax Increment Financing Feasibility Study (PDF)
- Tax Increment District #16 Project Plan (PDF)
- Tax Increment District #17 Project Plan (PDF)
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Contact City of Berlin Planning and Development Director- Tim Ludolph for assistance and discussion of the above resources. Email tludolph@cityofberlin.wi.gov 920-361-5156
Tourism Events + Projects
Nonprofit organizations can apply for room tax funds for tourism events or projects that will likely generate paid overnight stays in the City of Berlin.
Tourism event or projects includes:
- Marketing projects, including advertising media buys; creation and distribution of printed or electronic promotional tourist materials; or efforts to recruit conventions, sporting events, or motor coach groups
- Transient tourist information services
The Tourism Commission reviews applications two times a year: Spring and Fall. Dates of application periods will be announced as they become available.
The 2026 Fall Grant Period will be open through September 30th 2026, see the links below to Apply. Applications will be reviewed at the October meeting of the Travel and Tourism Commission.
Tourism Grant Event or Project Application (PDF)
Tourism Grant Event or Project Reporting (PDF)
Tourism Grant Review Form (PDF)
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Contact City of Berlin Planning and Development Director- Tim Ludolph for assistance and discussion of the above resources. Email tludolph@cityofberlin.wi.gov 920-361-5156