Branch campus redevelopment grants
Wis. Stat. § 238.145
in effect(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Branch campus” means any of the former college campuses that were partnered with a university in the University of Wisconsin System restructuring plan approved by the Higher Learning Commission on or about June 28, 2018.
(b) “Planning costs” include, among other expenses, expenses incurred in connection with hiring consultants, site planning, viability studies, and environmental compliance or remediation activities.
(c) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town, or county.
(2) Grants.
(a) From the appropriation under s. 20.192 (1) (c), and subject to pars. (b) to (f), the corporation shall award grants to political subdivisions for costs, including planning costs and demolition costs, associated with the redevelopment of buildings or other sites owned by the political subdivision on a branch campus or former branch campus.
(b) A grant may be awarded under this subsection only to fund activities that contribute to the overall economic improvement and enhancement of the community. These activities may include, among others, activities that facilitate job creation, workforce development, small business support, housing, or public infrastructure improvement.
(c) The corporation may not award a grant under this subsection unless the political subdivision applying for the grant satisfies all of the following:
1. The political subdivision submits to the corporation community letters of support for the grant.
2. The political subdivision provides funding from local sources.
(d) No grant awarded under this subsection may exceed $2,000,000.
(e) The corporation shall award a grant under this subsection to Richland County. The corporation shall award grants to Fond du Lac County, Washington County, and Marinette County. This paragraph applies to a county only if the county satisfies all requirements under this subsection for the award of a grant.
(f) The joint committee on finance may supplement the appropriation under s. 20.192 (1) (c) without finding that an emergency exists under s. 13.101 (3) (a) 1.
(3) Reports. No later than 90 days after completion of a project for which a grant is awarded under sub. (2), the political subdivision receiving the grant shall submit to the corporation and to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under s. 13.172 (3) a report containing all of the following information:
(a) The name of the grant recipient and the amount of the grant awarded.
(b) A detailed description of how the grant funds were spent.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/238.145Fetched: 10/7/2026