Transportation Economic Assistance

The Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) Program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) under the authority of Wisconsin state statute s.84.185 and administrative code Chapter Trans 510. Established in 1987, the TEA program aims to support job creation and retention in Wisconsin by funding critical transportation infrastructure improvements that are necessary to attract or retain businesses. The grants are provided on a reimbursement basis to local governing bodies such as cities, counties, towns, and villages, which apply in partnership with businesses that have committed to creating or retaining jobs. Each fiscal year, the TEA program allocates $3.4 million in state funds for transportation projects essential to economic development. Eligible projects include public infrastructure improvements involving roads, rail, harbors, and airports, provided they serve a legitimate economic development purpose. Private roads, parking lots, and other non-public facilities are ineligible. The program is intended to accelerate project implementation beyond standard state programming timelines. A 50% local match is required, which can be sourced from local, federal, or private funds, or from in-kind contributions such as land acquisition or engineering services. State funds may not be used to meet the match requirement. Eligibility for the TEA grant hinges on four criteria: the necessity of the transportation improvement for the business development to occur; the inability of the applicant to fund the entire project without state assistance; the project must either create new jobs or retain existing ones in the location of the transportation improvement; and construction must be scheduled to start within three years of the grant award. Jobs created must materialize within three years of the project agreement and be retained for at least four additional years. Similarly, retained jobs must continue for a total of seven years. Retail, hospitality, and ethanol production businesses are among those excluded from participation. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and must include a comprehensive package of materials, such as a signed resolution, completed application forms (DT 1283 and DT 1286), approved engineering and environmental documents, and historical and archaeological reviews. Applications are submitted via a secure Box folder provided upon request from the TEA Program Manager. Pre-construction work is prohibited before grant approval to ensure eligibility is maintained. The program has had a significant economic impact since its inception. As of December 2024, more than $124 million in grants have been awarded to 217 communities, supporting over 370 businesses and leading to the creation of 29,451 new jobs and retention of 24,859 jobs across the state. Projects have included road and rail upgrades and infrastructure improvements in business parks and industrial corridors. For more information or to initiate an application, interested parties are encouraged to contact Roselynn Bittorf, the TEA Program Manager at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Transportation Investment Management. She can be reached via phone at (608) 267-2934 or email at tea@dot.wi.gov. Early engagement is advised to ensure project eligibility and to navigate the complex application process successfully.

Engage early with the TEA Program Manager to confirm project eligibility. Do not advertise or initiate construction work before grant approval.