ELIGIBILITY | FAQ

COULD BASECAMP GREATER WAUSAU BE YOUR NEXT MOVE?

Basecamp Greater Wausau is designed for professionals and households ready to build a future in Greater Wausau, Wisconsin. If you're considering a move, start by reviewing the eligibility requirements below.

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SEE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE

To be considered for Basecamp Greater Wausau, applicants must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Currently reside outside the State of Wisconsin
  • Combined annual household income of at least $55,000
  • Meet one of the program's qualifying employment pathways
  • Be willing to relocate to the Greater Wausau Region within six months of acceptance to the program
  • Confirm that household has not received or have another pending application for Wisconsin Talent Recruitment Grant funds

Meeting the eligibility requirements allows you to be considered for Basecamp Greater Wausau but does not guarantee selection.

APPLY TO BASECAMP GW

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QUALIFYING EMPLOYMENT

Applicants must qualify through one of the following employment pathways:

  • Local New Hire - You've accepted a full-time position with an employer located within the Greater Wausau region.
  • Recent Graduate - You graduated from a college or university outside of Wisconsin within the past six months and have accepted a full-time position within the Greater Wausau region.
  • Remote Professional - You're employed full-time by a company located outside Wisconsin and have the ability to work remotely.
  • Self-employed / Entrepreneur - You are a self-employed entrepreneur and are planning to start a company located in Greater Wausau within 6-months of acceptance to the program.

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HOW PARTICIPANTS ARE SELECTED

Basecamp Greater Wausau is a competitive program with a limited number of household awards. Meeting the eligibility requirements is the first step.  Eligible applications will be reviewed based on workforce alignment, relocation readiness, community engagement potential and overall fit with the goals of the program.  We're looking for candidates who are ready not only to make the move, but to build a life and establish lasting roots in Greater Wausau.

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. APPLY: Tell us about your career, household, relocation plans and interest in making Greater Wausau your home.

2. APPLICATION REVIEW: The Basecamp Greater Wausau team will review applications for eligibility and alignment with the goals of the program.

3. INTERVIEW & VERIFICATION: Applicants selected to advance may be invited to an interview and asked to provide documentation verifying income, employment, current residency and other eligibility requirements.

4. SELECTION & ONBOARDING: Selected households will receive information about program acceptance, relocation requirements, onboarding and next steps.

5. MAKE YOUR MOVE: Once selected as a Basecamp Greater Wausau member, you’ll have up to six months to establish your primary residence within the Greater Wausau Region.

6. BUILD YOUR LIFE HERE: Work with the Basecamp Greater Wausau team as you make your move, access program benefits and support, and begin connecting with the Greater Wausau community.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Is the $10,000 grant per person or per household?

Each member selected to the Basecamp Greater Wausau program receives one $10,000 cash grant on behalf of their household. The grant is awarded to the selected member—not separately to each individual within the household. Only one $10,000 grant is available per eligible household.

Households may not have previously received Talent Recruitment Grant funds through Basecamp Greater Wausau or another provider of Wisconsin Talent Recruitment Grant funds and may not have another application for these funds pending with another provider.

2. Exactly where may participants live?

Basecamp Greater Wausau is focused on growing the workforce and population of the Greater Wausau Region. The program is designed to support new residents establishing their primary residence within Marathon County, Wisconsin. Applicants planning to reside outside Marathon County may also be considered if their residence falls within the broader eligible program service area. If you're considering a community outside Marathon County, contact the Basecamp Greater Wausau team to confirm eligibility.

3. What employment arrangements qualify?

Applicants must qualify through one of the program's four employment pathways:

  • Local New Hire - You've accepted a full-time position with an employer located within the Greater Wausau region.
  • Recent Graduate - You graduated from a college or university outside of Wisconsin within the past six months and have accepted a full-time position within the Greater Wausau region.
  • Remote Professional - You're employed full-time by a company located outside Wisconsin and have the ability to work remotely.
  • Self-employed / Entrepreneur - You are a self-employed entrepreneur and are planning to start a company located in Greater Wausau within 6-months of acceptance to the program.

Employment status will be verified as part of the program's eligibility and selection process.

4. Can I apply without a job?

Applicants must have a qualifying employment arrangement to meet the program's current eligibility requirements.

5. Do remote workers qualify?

Yes. Remote Professionals may qualify if they are employed full-time by a company located outside Wisconsin and have the ability to perform their work remotely.

6. Do entrepreneurs or business owners qualify?

Yes. Self-Employed applicants may also qualify if they meet the program's other eligibility requirements.

7. When may I relocate?

Applicants must reside outside Wisconsin at the time they apply to the Basecamp Greater Wausau program. Those selected for membership will have six months from the date of selection to relocate to the Greater Wausau Region.

8. How long must I live in Greater Wausau?

Grant recipients are required to maintain their primary residence within the defined program area for at least 24 consecutive months following receipt of grant funds.

Voluntarily relocating outside the program area before completing the required residency period may result in repayment of all or a prorated portion of the grant.

9. When and how will I receive the $10,000 grant?

Selected members will be eligible to receive the $10,000 cash grant after completing their relocation to the Greater Wausau Region, required eligibility and residency verification, and the Basecamp Greater Wausau program orientation and onboarding process. Selected members will receive complete information about the grant disbursement process and required documentation during program onboarding.

10. What documentation will I need to provide?

Applicants and selected members may be asked to provide documentation to verify eligibility and completion of program requirements. Depending on your circumstances, this may include:

  • Proof of current out-of-state residency 
  • Income verification 
  • Employment verification 
  • Remote-work verification, if applicable 
  • Graduation verification for Recent Graduate applicants 
  • Proof of relocation and residency within the eligible program area 
  • Receipts or other documentation for eligible relocation expenses 
  • Home-purchase documentation, if applicable 

Additional documentation may be requested as necessary to verify eligibility and compliance with program requirements.

11. What activities or check-ins are required?

Selected members may be required to:

  • Complete onboarding activities
  • Participate in surveys
  • Provide program impact information
  • Verify continued residency
  • Participate in program evaluations

Members will also have opportunities to participate in community onboarding, networking, outdoor recreation and lifestyle experiences, Community Ambassador connections and other activities designed to help them become connected to Greater Wausau.

12. What could require repayment of the grant?

A grant may be subject to full or partial repayment if a recipient:

  • Provides false, misleading or incomplete information
  • Fails to satisfy program requirements
  • Receives duplicate benefits prohibited by program rules
  • Uses grant funds in violation of program requirements
  • Voluntarily relocates outside the program area before completing the required residency period
  • Is otherwise required to repay funds under applicable funding requirements