Investment to Assist Communities located in Ashland, Bayfield & Iron Counties
STEVENS POINT, Wis., Oct. 6, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wisconsin Rural Development State Director Frank Frassetto announced that the USDA is investing $436,000 to improve roadways, childcare, public safety equipment and education.
"These investments will allow these rural communities provide safe, modern equipment and supplies to service and meet the needs in their residents," Frassetto said. "Through our Community Facilities programs, USDA Rural Development partners with communities to maximize the affordability of their infrastructure needs. 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 Village of Mason received a $250,000 grant for road improvements. Funds will be used to rehabilitate the pavement for roadways without sewer beneath them. Due to aging and inadequate base, the pavement structures are experiencing extensive settlement and deterioration and will continue to deteriorate if not rehabilitated. Rehabilitation consists of pulverizing and overlaying the roadways, shaping the roadway, paving the roadway and constructing the shoulder. In addition, four roads have deteriorated beyond rehabilitation and will be reconstructed. Reconstruction includes full excavation of the roadway to construct a new road base, as well as pavement construction and shoulders.
EverGrow Learning Center Inc received a $52,000 grant to purchase equipment for a new large-scale childcare center. The EverGrow Learning Center is a non-profit located in the City of Ashland. The center will provide high quality and affordable childcare services to children and families of all income levels, with an emphasis on serving children from low-income families and employment opportunities to low-income individuals. Planned services include a large number of enrollment spots for infants, extended care hours, scheduled "drop-in" care, mildly ill childcare and a 4K program.
The City of Hurley received a $100,000 grant to purchase a new street sweeper for the Public Works Department. This project will replace their street sweeper that has come to the end of its useful life and is no longer serviceable.
Washburn School District received a $34,000 grant to extend the elevator at the Washburn School District middle school. The school currently has an existing hydraulic passenger elevator that goes up to the second floor. The third floor was used for storage, however, due to increased enrollment over the last few years the 3rd floor will now be utilized for classroom space. This project will modernize the hydraulic passenger elevator making the third floor of the school accessible for all students and staff.
Today’s announcement includes funding from the Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program and the $150 million in grants included in the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act that President Trump signed into law on June 6, 2019.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. Grant applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are exhausted.
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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