Senator Baldwin Delivers for Western Wisconsin in Government Funding Legislation

WESTERN WISCONSIN– Wisconsin leaders are applauding U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s (D-WI) work to secure support for Western 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.

“No one knows better what their community needs than those working every day to make it better. These community-driven projects were brought to me by Wisconsinites who are working to confront challenges like affordable housing, access to health care, clean water, and so much more, and I was proud to deliver for them,” said Senator Baldwin. “The resources I helped secure will help communities across Western Wisconsin be safer, healthier, and pave the path for a more prosperous future.”

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

Impact Seven

$4,000,000 to support the Housing Opportunity and Mobile Education project that will create affordable apartments in conjunction with on-site training in advanced manufacturing for low-income and underemployed residents in Hayward, Ladysmith, Minong and Hurley, Wisconsin.

“The federal award will support the Housing Opportunity and Mobile Education Solutions (HOMES) project in rural Wisconsin communities by producing 120 new apartments affordable to working families while offering on-site access to technical training in advanced manufacturing skills in partnership with a regional technical college and local employers,” said Brett Gerber, President of Impact Seven. “This important resource represents an innovative approach to rural community development in northern Wisconsin and will serve as a valuable workforce asset for decades to come.” 

Western Wisconsin Health Expansion

$1,000,000 to expand the hospital’s labor and delivery room and construct a birthing and medical-surgical room in Baldwin, Wisconsin.

“Western Wisconsin Health is incredibly grateful for the support of Senator Baldwin and the allocation of the bipartisan congressionally directed funds in the amount of $1 million. These funds will allow Western Wisconsin Health to provide critical obstetrical and hospital services to the patients in our region when hospitals and birth centers are closing,” said Eilidh Pederson, MPH, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer of Western Wisconsin Health. “Western Wisconsin Health is redefining rural healthcare by expanding our medical-surgical and birth center units and providing accessible patient-centered care for families. With a total project cost of $7.2 million, Western Wisconsin Health, a safety net Hospital, recognizes the importance of this expansion to align directly with our mission of building a healthier tomorrow, together.”

La Crosse County

$1,000,000 for Hillview Community Services Center, a community services hub to provide housing for unsheltered people and affordable childcare, with a focus on veterans.

“We are extremely grateful to Senator Baldwin for advocating for La Crosse County to secure this grant,” said Monica Kruse, La Crosse County Board Chair. “This funding will have a major positive impact on expediting our project to transform Hillview and support good paying jobs and exceptional services for our community.”

Dairyland Power Cooperative

$2,028,000 for electric vehicle charging station with solar battery and storage.

“Dairyland Power and Price Electric are excited for the opportunity to deploy a project that supports renewable energy and resilience while expanding EV charging infrastructure in rural areas,” said Jeff Springer, Manager of Innovation & Efficient Electrification at Dairyland Power Cooperative. “Residents and tourists in northern Wisconsin will have access to a new EV charging station that also brings a solar energy benefit with the comfort of an overhead canopy.”

Village of Viola

$1,412,000 for installation of solar and battery storage to support energy resilience.

“The Village of Viola Board of Trustees as well as the Commissioners of the Viola Electric Utility would like to thank Senator Baldwin for listening to our concerns and responding to the needs of our small community. This grant will make it possible for us to keep electrical rates affordable while being good stewards of our planet,” said Jeff Liska, DPW and Utility Manager at the Village of Viola.

City of Hillsboro

$500,000 for water and sewer investigation and rehabilitation.

“Having these funds allocated for this project signifies a crucial step towards addressing critical infrastructure updates,” said Joshua Finch, City Administrator of Hillsboro. “This financial support allows us to dive further into properly assessing and addressing those needs within our community.” 

“We are extremely grateful for this funding, it’s a great thing for Hillsboro,” added City of Hillsboro Mayor Greg Kubarski.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

$10,000,000 for the Chippewa Valley Corridor reconstruction in Eau Claire County.

“Thank you for your leadership and support to the Chippewa Valley in securing CDS funding for the CTH T Corridor Improvement Project.  Your commitment to advocating for the needs of our community has truly made a significant difference in making this transportation improvement project a reality,” said Jon Johnson, Highway Commissioner of Eau Claire County. “Thank you once again for you unwavering support and dedication to the many business and residents of the Town of Union, the Town of Wheaton, the City of Eau Claire, Chippew County and Eau Claire County.”

Jackson County Childcare Network

$1,038,000 to increase access to child care in Jackson County.

“We are honored and grateful for this amazing opportunity to direct resources to continue to address this very important challenge in Jackson County. As a child care desert, Jackson County faces a need to add nearly 1,000 child care slots to serve children and families,” said Marianne Torkelson, Chair of the Jackson County Child Care Network. “We now can create innovative solutions to address our communities' needs – the result will not only be a stronger workforce in Jackson County but also opportunities for children to access the care that better prepares them to enter school ready to learn and set them up for success for the rest of their lives.”

Moraine Park Tech College

$150,000 to support a new fire training center in Dodge, Wisconsin to support current and future firefighters.

“Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) extends its gratitude to Senator Tammy Baldwin and her office for their steadfast support in securing $150,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funds for MPTC’s Fire Protection Program. We appreciate Senator Baldwin's dedication to education and public safety. This allocation will have a significant impact on enhancing fire training capabilities in the region,” said Pete Rettler, Dean of MPTC’s West Bend Campus. “These funds will be used to support the purchase of gear and equipment – like breathing masks, helmets, head lamps, hoses, and training mannequins – critical to meeting the urgent need for comprehensive Fire and Rescue training in the area and throughout Wisconsin. MPTC extends sincere appreciation to Senator Baldwin, her dedicated staff, and all of our district fire departments for their unwavering commitment to MPTC's mission and vision.”

Viterbo University

$150,000 to support rural graduate nursing scholarships.

“The funding to develop our region’s healthcare workforce will support building the rural nursing pipeline to help ensure the health and well-being of region’s residents and the success of our regional healthcare partners. We couldn’t be more delighted to play a role in helping solve this crucial community need,” said Tonya Wagner, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness at Viterbo University.

City of River Falls

$1,401,000 to renovate the Fire Station.

County of Burnett

$950,000 for public safety radio system.

Monroe County

$951,961 to extend infrastructure for the next full cell construction at the landfill. This project would increase the landfill life for an additional five years.

Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center

$1,600,000 to support construction of a new clinic in Pairie du Chien, Wisconsin to provide dental, primary care, and behavioral health care, and a social services center to help meet the needs of low-income individuals.

St. Croix County

$412,000 to support renovation of the county’s emergency operations center.

Town of Farmington

$350,000 for a wastewater lift station.

Marshfield Area United Way

$10,000 to expand access to the Nutrition on Weekends program to additional communities in Wisconsin.

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