Columbus Council limits city support to one WEDC grant per year | The Locally Times
The council voted June 2 to cap municipal endorsements for Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation grants at one project annually.
The Columbus Common Council approved a policy on June 2, 2026, restricting the city to one resolution of support per year for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Community Development Investment (CDI) grant. The CDI program provides state financial assistance for community development projects, which typically requires municipal endorsement as a prerequisite for funding. ## Policy Impact The city will now issue only one resolution of support for WEDC grant applicants each calendar year. The records do not specify the rubric or point system the city will use to select the single beneficiary when multiple projects apply. Projects that do not receive the city’s annual resolution may face delays or funding denials from the state. The records do not specify how the city will manage current or pending applications under this new limit. ## Related Council Actions During the same June 2 meeting, the council approved Ordinance 816-26, which abolished the Columbus Area Aquatic Center Committee and transferred its duties to the Recreation Committee. The council also approved a task order with Ruekert-Mielke for street maintenance, capping the expenditure at $18,100. Additional actions included the approval of an updated job description for the Communications and Economic Development Coordinator/Deputy Zoning Administrator position and the authorization of a fire lane at Cardinal Heights. The council approved the payment of claims totaling $1,395,781.53 through May 26, 2026. ## Application Process City officials have not published application deadlines or selection criteria for the annual WEDC grant endorsement. Organizations seeking city support must monitor future council agendas for the release of these details. The council is scheduled to meet next on June 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. for a Committee of the Whole session. ## Key Questions **How many WEDC grant applications will the city support each year?** The city will limit its support to one resolution for a WEDC Community Development Investment grant per calendar year. **What criteria will the city use to choose the winning project?** The city has not defined the specific criteria, rubric, or point system for selecting the project in the June 2 meeting records. **When is the next council meeting?** The next Committee of the Whole and Common Council meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.