The Wisconsin Department of Revenue distributed $14.5 million on Friday, representing the state’s first innovation grant payments.
Its innovation grant program, which began in 2023, provides $300 million to support local governments and tribal nations with transferring services and duties to another eligible entity.
The approved grants will help 81 local governments across 11 service categories such as public safety, emergency services and public works. The $14.5 million represents the first annual payment. In all, $72 million will go to 35 grant applications and associated service transfers over the next 3 to 5 years as part of the first application round.
That leaves over $220 million in funding for a second application round in fall 2026.
