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FACT BRIEF

Has Wisconsin invested the most pandemic aid money of any state in economic development?

By Jacob Alabab-Moser
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YES

Wisconsin is the U.S. state that has invested the most federal pandemic aid money in economic development and business assistance. As of August 2022, the state invested 56% of its funds (totaling over $1 billion) in economic development and 32% in grants to businesses, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Guam, a U.S. territory that also received pandemic aid, directed an even higher proportion to its economy: 57% in economic development and 52% in business assistance.

The federal government created the Fiscal Recovery Funds under the American Rescue Plan to aid states' COVID-19 recovery. States have until 2024 to decide how they will use the funds, with the program allowing them a high degree of discretion. Other spending categories include infrastructure, health, welfare, education, public safety and the environment.

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The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities found Wisconsin used more of its Fiscal Recovery Funds on economic development than any other U.S. state.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities How states can best use federal Fiscal Recovery Funds: Lessons from state choices so far
State of Wisconsin Main Street Bounceback Grants press release
US Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
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Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.