AB 449

This bill creates a grant program administered by the Arts Board in the

Department of Tourism. The bill requires the Arts Board to award grants on a

competitive basis to businesses, whether operated for profit or not for profit, local

governmental agencies, tribal governmental agencies, and business development

organizations or associations that work to promote creative businesses, products, or

services in rural areas in Wisconsin, including by fostering any of the following:

1. Job and business creation and capacity building.

2. Workforce training and development.

3. Community and sector planning, development, and engagement.

4. Products or services with artistic, cultural, creative, or aesthetic qualities.

Under the bill, such a grant may not exceed $50,000 and must be expended

solely for the benefit of rural areas. Additionally, the bill prohibits the Arts Board

from awarding a grant unless the grant recipient matches the amount of the grant

with moneys raised from nonstate sources.