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Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA)

The Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) program provides 50% state grants to governing bodies, private businesses, and consortiums for road, rail, harbor and airport projects that help attract employers to Wisconsin, or encourage business and industry to remain and expand in the state.

Program purpose

The goal of the TEA program is to attract and retain business firms in Wisconsin and thus create or retain jobs. The businesses cannot be speculative and local communities must assure that the number of jobs anticipated from the proposed project will materialize within three years from the date of the project agreement and remain after another four years.

Program description

Grants of up to $1 million are available for transportation improvements that are essential for an economic development project. It must begin within three years, have the local government's endorsement, and benefit the public. The program is designed to implement an improvement more quickly than normal state programming processes allow. The 50% local match can come from any combination of local, federal, or private funds or in-kind services.

Applications are first come, first serve, and funded when all eligibility information is complete and satisfactory.

Program history

The TEA program began in September 1987. Through December 2011, 72,780 jobs have been directly and indirectly created or retained through the $85 million invested in grants awarded to 195 communities. Some 339 businesses have benefited from the grants. A September 2007 job audit reveals that actual job creation and retention is 6.3% above that promised. The state average cost to-date has been $2,597 per direct job created and retained.

2011-2013 funding:

$6,805,200 --- State segregated funds
$6,805,200 --- Local matching funds

• TEA Program Projects 1987-2012
• Map of TEA grant recipients

Program documents

• Program checklist
• Frequently asked questions
• Grant application
• Job guarantee agreement
• Environmental clearance process
  • Overview of environmental process
  • Programmatic Environmental Report (pER) with general information cover page about the proposed project
  • Worksheet 44.40: Archaeological/historical review worksheet with a signed cover letter from an archaeological and historical consultant firm
  • Project description cover page
  • Environmental certificate

Contact:

Dennis Leong
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Division of Transportation Investment Management
4802 Sheboygan Avenue Room 901
P.O. Box 7913
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7913
Phone:  (608) 266-9910
Fax:  (608) 267-0294
Email:  dennis.leong@dot.wi.gov

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Questions about the content of this page:
Dennis Leong, dennis.leong@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: May 7, 2013