Opportunity Attraction Fund

The Opportunity Attraction Fund is a grant program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), established under Wisconsin Act 169 in 2023. The program was created in response to increasing competition among states to attract large-scale events, conventions, and high-impact programs that generate economic activity and elevate statewide visibility. The fund is designed as a strategic investment tool to position Wisconsin as a premier destination for tourism, business development, and talent attraction by supporting efforts to secure nationally significant opportunities. The primary purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to eligible entities seeking to either attract or host major events in Wisconsin. These events are expected to deliver measurable economic benefits, including increased visitor spending, enhanced tourism activity, and broader national exposure for the state. The program supports both the bidding phase—where organizations compete against other jurisdictions to secure an event—and the hosting phase, where awarded events are executed within Wisconsin. The overarching goal is to ensure that funded projects contribute to both direct and indirect economic impacts across local communities. Funding under the Opportunity Attraction Fund can be used for a wide range of eligible expenses associated with bidding and hosting activities. For bid-related efforts, allowable costs include travel, materials, staff time, consultant services, and bid fees. For hosting, eligible expenses expand to include event sponsorship fees, venue and logistics costs, lodging, catering, marketing, and infrastructure investments necessary to support the event. The program emphasizes flexibility in funding use, provided that expenditures are directly tied to attracting or hosting qualifying opportunities and are clearly documented in the application. A key requirement of the program is a 1:1 cash match, meaning applicants must secure non-state funding equal to the amount requested from WEDC. In-kind contributions are not eligible toward this requirement. Grant amounts vary significantly depending on project scope. While earlier program descriptions indicate up to $100,000 for bid-related expenses and up to $5 million for hosting, the FY2026 guidelines specify maximum awards of up to $2,000,000 for bidding activities and up to $3,067,898 for hosting-related expenses. This structure reflects the program’s flexibility in accommodating both smaller and large-scale initiatives while maintaining a strong leverage requirement. Eligibility for the Opportunity Attraction Fund is broad and includes cities, villages, towns, and counties within Wisconsin, as well as American Indian tribes or bands in the state, area visitor and convention bureaus, business improvement districts, and private entities. Eligible projects must involve events that are open to the public and demonstrate the potential to drive economic impact, increase tourism, and enhance Wisconsin’s national profile. Applications are evaluated based on factors such as projected economic benefits, reasonableness of costs, alignment with state priorities, and the applicant’s ability to successfully execute the project. The application process operates on a continuous basis, allowing applicants to engage with WEDC at any time. Interested organizations are encouraged to first contact a WEDC Account Manager to assess project fit. Upon alignment with program goals, applicants are invited to submit a formal application through the Network Wisconsin platform. Applications must include a detailed cost-benefit analysis outlining projected economic impacts, including visitor estimates, spending breakdowns, and capital investment plans. WEDC may consult with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism during the review process and applies specific evaluation criteria depending on whether the request is for bidding or hosting support. Following submission, applications undergo an underwriting and award review process. Successful applicants enter into an agreement requiring ongoing performance reporting, including documentation of project activities, economic outcomes, and financial expenditures. Recipients must maintain records for at least three years after the final report and may be subject to audit. While the program does not specify fixed deadlines due to its rolling nature, it is designed as an ongoing initiative with annual funding allocations, making it a recurring opportunity for organizations seeking to bring impactful events to Wisconsin.

Provide strong economic impact projections with clear methodology include realistic visitor and spending estimates and demonstrate alignment with statewide tourism and development goals