Investment will Benefit Menominee & Lac Courte Oreilles Colleges
STEVENS POINT, Wis., Oct. 14, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wisconsin Rural Development State Director Frank Frassetto announced that the USDA is investing $360,000 to help two tribal colleges upgrade their infrastructure, purchase equipment and make other improvements to their educational facilities. Funding is provided through USDA’s Tribal College Initiative Grant program.
“Tribal colleges are key resources for their communities and regions and education is one of the best investments we can make in the future of rural America,” Frassetto said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, we have been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Wisconsin in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
The College of Menominee Nation received a $180,000 grant for building security and safety enhancements at the Keshena campus. The College plans to add enhanced security including keyless entrances to remaining buildings not previously updated, door replacement where needed, enhanced cameras, panic buttons in the reception area and library, exterior lighting, welding room lighting and carpeting/flooring in some areas.
LCO Ojibwe College received a $180,000 grant to improve the main college campus building. Improvements include upgrading the building envelope to repair erosion around the perimeter due to run off and rot along the bottom edges of the siding, installing new metal soffits to replace deteriorated wood soffits, replacing old residential windows with higher efficiency commercial grade windows, replacing two emergency exit doors with better insulation to increase heating efficiency and replacing external security lighting.
Through this program, Tribal Colleges can utilize funding for infrastructure improvements, to purchase equipment and to develop essential community facilities. Eligible community facilities projects include: schools, education equipment, facility renovation and improvements, vehicles and major equipment, education and cultural projects, libraries and dorms.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wi, call us at 715-345-7600 or email wi-rd-stateoffice@usda.gov.
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