The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation awarded nearly $500,000 in grants to 11 organizations to support entrepreneurship programs throughout the state, the organization announced today.

“Economic development is most effective when it is driven from a local or regional level,” WEDC CEO Mark Hogan said in a statement. “Through this program, we are supporting local and regional organizations that understand the unique needs of their communities and have developed innovative strategies to respond to those needs.”

According to a release, the grants are being awarded as part of WEDC’s new Entrepreneurship Support pilot program.

Locally, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic will receive $15,000 and $75,000 in grants, respectively.