USDA Investing in Eight Projects Across Rural Wisconsin

Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 -- 8:01 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa announced that USDA is funding a total of $32,816,452 in loans and grants across eight projects in rural Wisconsin as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, according to the Wisconsin Ag Connection.

“The investments announced today are strengthening rural infrastructure for people in rural Wisconsin, including Rural Partners Network communities,” said Lassa.

“They’ll help rural school districts enrich students’ education through distance learning, allow small businesses to be more resilient and save money through renewable energy as well as ensuring that emergency vehicles can respond quickly to calls for help. The Biden-Harris Administration is continuing to invest in our rural communities and driving an economic agenda that is rebuilding our economy and infrastructure.”

USDA is funding a variety of projects in underserved communities participating in the Rural Partners Network (RPN). These investments will expand access to education, business opportunities, emergency health care, and renewable energy.

Northwood Technical College will use a $999,480 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant to equip five hub sites and 33 hub/end-user sites in several counties including Wood and Taylor.

Instructors at 33 Public K-12 schools will have access to enrichment, high school, dual-credit programming, along with continuing education classes benefitting 33,278 individuals.

Craig Myhre dba Myville Farms, a crop farming operation in Osseo, will use a $28,007 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant to install a 22.9-kilowatt roof mount solar array.

USDA is also funding investments through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program which help state and local governments, private nonprofits and federally recognized Tribes build and improve rural wastewater systems.

The funding enables rural communities to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal and stormwater drainage. Village of Junction City will use a $2,351,000 loan and a $1,401,000 grant through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program to perform several upgrades to the water system as well as repainting and recoating the inside of the water tower.

This project also includes installing a new water main from Well 6 and constructing a sampling line within an existing park shelter off this new main.

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