Senator Baldwin Delivers for Northern Wisconsin in Newly Passed Government Funding Legislation

NORTHERN WISCONSIN – Wisconsin leaders are applauding U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s (D-WI) work to secure support for Northern Wisconsin in this year’s annual funding legislation. In total, Senator Baldwin secured over $260 million in direct support for over 80 community-driven projects across Wisconsin in the first and second bipartisan funding packages which were signed into law last month.

“I worked hard to deliver direct support from Washington to Wisconsin to address the unique needs of families across the state,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to help expand affordable housing, ensure families have clean drinking water, and ensure our communities are safe —all to make sure that the North Woods communities can thrive for generations to come.”

Senator Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured funding for the following community-driven projects in Northern Wisconsin:

St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity

$500,000 to support construction of affordable workforce housing in Pierce County.

“Policymakers, program designers, advocates and implementers must collectively mobilize resources to build sustainable, affordable housing and significantly impact our critical lack of inventory. This award starts that process,” said Kristie Smith, Executive Director of St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity. “We are thankful to Senator Baldwin’s office, and the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies for recognizing this immense need. This investment in affordable housing is also an investment in generational wealth building and opportunities for more of our neighbors who can change their lives through home ownership.”

“A family should never pay more than 30% of their income on a home. Yet, nearly 1 in 6 families pay half or more of their income on housing in this country. The cost of housing in neighborhoods across Western Wisconsin leads our state. Data from the Wisconsin Realtors Association shows that Pierce County median homes sales price in 2011 was $135,000,” said Gina Moe-Knutson, St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity Board President and WESTconsin Realtor. “A decade later that number was $285,950 and last month it climbed to $325,000. This Congressionally Districted Spending funding is targeted to increasing housing inventory in Pierce County through the work that Habitat is doing to build sustainable, affordable housing in our communities.”

Bayfield County

$1,000,000 to support development of affordable workforce housing.

“The shortage of affordable workforce housing is a problem everywhere, but rural communities like those in Bayfield County are at a greater disadvantage when it comes to finding the necessary resources to do something about it,” said Mark Abeles-Allison, Bayfield County Administrator. “Wethank Senator Baldwin for her help in securing federal funding that will result in new housing developments to serve Bayfield County families, keeping seniors and workers right here in our community.”

Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute (WOLI) Revitalization Center

$5,000,000 to establish a language revitalization center to house full-time pre-k to grade 12 Ojibwe immersion education in Hayward, Wisconsin.

“The support for this project will positively impact our community for generations to come, providing opportunities for Ojibwe language and lifeways to flourish,” Lisa LaRonge, Executive Director of Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute. “We are honored to have been selected for funding, and look forward to enriching our community. Miigwech.”

Lac du Flambeau Tribe

$290,000 for equipment for the tribal fish hatchery.

“Our lakes face intense pressure each fishing season because we have huge muskies, huge walleyes and a wide variety of desirable fish species,” said John D. Johnson, Sr., Tribal President of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. “This federal funding will help us continue our long history of supporting both on- and off-reservation lakes to ensure resources remain plentiful for our Tribal Members who depend on fish for survival, sport fishers who enjoy the outdoors, and local businesses that depend on fishing tourism and the regional economic impact fishing delivers.”

Village of Rothschild

$3,300,000 to remove PFAS from drinking water.

“On behalf of the Village of Rothschild and the greater Wausau area, we sincerely appreciate your continued efforts in assuring our residents will be provided with clean drinking water. Your government­wide efforts, along with your staff members and the countless hours of uniting for this emerging health crisis, do not go unrecognized. Our Village has a PF AS level that may impact the health and safety of our residents and environment, and having the ability to help correct this for generations to come is a tremendous project that our future youth will thank you and others for time and time again,” said Ryan VanDeWalle, Rothschild Village Administrator. “With the $3.3 million in funds slated for the Village of Rothschild, our water users will rest assured that soon, the PF AS levels will be nondetectable, allowing for our village to continue to promote health and wellness in all aspects of life. Safe drinking water extends beyond the tangible assets in life, but also directly correlates with providing a safer environment that will continue to allow for growth and development in an economic and socio-economic way. Again, the Village of Rothschild thanks you and your staff for these monumental efforts.”

Hayward Memorial Hospital

$2,000,000 to support expansion of a clinic to improve and expand access to primary care and obstetrical services.

Memorial Medical Center

$2,000,000 to support renovation of the behavioral health unit at Memorial Medical Center, a rural critical access hospital and provider of inpatient behavioral health services.

“We are extremely grateful to Senator Tammy Baldwin and the congressional support for funding to aid and improve access to vital healthcare services in Northern Wisconsin,” said Luke Beirl, Tamarack Health Ashland Medical Center Interim President & CEO and Hayward Medical Center President & CEO. “This funding allows us to continue to make the necessary investments needed to deliver behavioral health services, expand primary care, and sustain obstetric services for the people of our region.”

Marathon County Government

$2,000,000 to support construction of a regional forensic science center.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to Senator Baldwin for her unwavering support of the Regional Forensic Science Center project,” said Kurt Gibbs, Chairman of the Marathon County Board of Supervisors. “The allocation of $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending funds demonstrates the importance and critical need for forensic pathology services across Northern Wisconsin. With generous support from our local, state, and federal partners, Marathon County is proud to be leading the effort to make these services more accessible to the communities of northern Wisconsin.”

Sokaogon Chippewa Health Clinic

$3,000,000 to support expansion of the Sokaogon Chippewa Health Clinic to improve health services delivered to the community in Forest County, Wisconsin.

Portage County

$505,000 for security cameras to support digital data retention.

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