Economic development, Transportation Economic Assistance Program

The Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) Program is a rapid response grant program designed to create new employment and to retain existing employment and to encourage private investment in Wisconsin. Communities can apply for TEA funds to encourage new businesses or business expansions in their regions by building such transportation improvements as access roads, highway improvements, or rail spurs. The program covers up to 50% of the total cost of eligible projects.

Role of TEA in economic development

The transportation projects funded under the program reduce transportation costs for applicant businesses, and the businesses in turn promise to create new jobs. These new jobs then support additional indirect jobs in other supplier businesses, and more employment is also supported in the region when new employees spend their wages in their communities. Through this “ripple effect," program funds are leveraged to act as a catalyst for economic expansion in the state.

Through March 2008, 66,435 jobs have been directly and indirectly created through the $74 million invested in grants awarded to 179 communities. Some 305 businesses have benefited from the grants. TEA has helped leverage over $3 billion in private capital investment in the state's economy.

Case studies

In 2000, the municipality of Cudahy in southeastern Wisconsin received $750,000 through TEA to improve access roads to a Patrick Cudahy, Inc. processing plant. This project supported 150 new jobs at the plant, and also indirectly created an estimated 120 additional jobs among suppliers to the factory and among area retailers where the new employees spent a part of their wages.

Harley Davidson's motorcycle transmission plant (pictured top right) needed a new access road to relieve traffic congestion in Wauwatosa. The company invested over $80 million in new testing and in an expanded manufacturing facility. The new plant expansion retained over 1000 employees and created an additional 400 new jobs at this location.

For more information, including application materials, see WisDOT's TEA Program Web page, or contact Don Uelmen, Bureau of Planning, (608) 266-3488.

Harley Davidson's transmission plant in Wauwatosa

Recipient of a TEA grant

Apply for funds and get more information about the TEA Program