BRANDON, Wisc., June 20, 2024 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Wisconsin State Director, Julie Lassa, alongside other local officials, today visited the village of Brandon in Fond du Lac County to celebrate the start of construction on the Brandon Public Library expansion project.
“This building has a rich history in the community. It first served as a retail business in 1894, then evolved into the village hall and fire department in 1897 and has been the public library’s home since 1913,” said Lassa. “USDA Rural Development and the Biden-Harris Administration are proud to partner with the Friends of the Brandon Public Library to help fund this expansion project which will improve access for current and future patrons.” [Audio: Mp3, 25 seconds, 604 kb]
A $473,000 USDA Community Facilities Grant will be used towards a 1,334 square foot addition to the first floor of the historic building. Other improvements include new lounge seating, reading areas, workspaces, a community meeting room, additional computer workstations, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant restrooms, and additional shelf space for more resources.
The picturesque building, complete with a bell tower, is listed on both the Wisconsin Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.
Completion of the expansion project is tentatively scheduled for June 2025.
Background:
The Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial, or business undertakings.
Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/wi.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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