Assembly Bill 279 establishes a new program under the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to provide grants for talent recruitment initiatives aimed at encouraging households from outside the state to relocate to Wisconsin municipalities. Eligible applicants for these grants include cities, villages, towns, counties, American Indian tribes or bands, and nonprofit organizations focused on economic, workforce, or community development. To qualify for a grant, applicants must submit a detailed talent recruitment program plan, demonstrate a minimum 20% contribution to the program's total cost, and meet specific household goals if they have previously received funding. The bill also stipulates that grant recipients must provide semiannual reports on the outcomes of their recruitment efforts.

The bill outlines specific eligibility criteria for households seeking incentives, including a requirement that they reside outside Wisconsin at the time of application and have an individual household income of at least $55,000. The maximum grant amount awarded to a single municipality in a fiscal year is capped at $500,000, with disbursement structured in two phases: 50% upon contract signing and the remaining 50% contingent on meeting half of the stated household goal. This structured approach aims to ensure accountability and effectiveness in attracting new residents to the state.