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County to apply for WEDC recruitment grant to attract out-of-state workers
Summary
Vernon County will apply for a $150,000 WEDC talent recruitment grant to fund relocation incentives—$125,000 earmarked for cash incentives for renters and homeowners—with a required 20% local match of $30,000; staff said the grant aims to recruit at least 10 households over two years.
Amy Oliver, Vernon County’s community development director, told supervisors the county plans to apply for a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) talent recruitment grant to attract new residents from out of state. The county intends to request $150,000: $125,000 would fund direct relocation incentives (renters would get about $2,500 for security deposit/first month; homeowners eligible for up to 5% of required down payment capped at $12,500), and $25,000 would support program administration and marketing. The application requires a 20% local match, estimated at $30,000.
Board members questioned eligibility details and the $55,000 individual-income threshold set by the state; Amy said she would seek clarification but reported WEDC indicated household income could qualify. Supervisors discussed prioritization (homeowners vs renters, targeting employers and remote workers) and the program’s pilot goals: recruit at least 10 households over two years while leveraging local employer support and the county rebranding for promotion. The board authorized applying for the grant.
