USDA announces over $375K in grants for rural projects in Wisconsin

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) – The USDA is investing over $375,000 in grants for new projects to increase economic opportunities within the Rural Partners Network (RPN) community networks in Wisconsin.

USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa says the funding will support family farms, small businesses, infrastructure, and clean energy in rural and tribal communities.

Projects being funded are:

• In Pepin County, a $51,855 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant will be used by Black’s Valley Ag Supply, Inc. to install a solar electric array at their facility in Durand. The project is expected to save the business $7,800 in energy costs per year and generate 132,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough energy to power 12 homes.

• A $323,263 Household Water and Well System grant will be used by Oconto-based Newcap, Inc. to establish a revolving loan program for homeowners in Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Shawano, and Vilas counties, including six Tribal nations.

“These projects are just a few of many examples of how the Rural Partners Network has helped strengthen community ties so underserved rural communities and families in Wisconsin can access the resources they need now and into the future,” Lassa said.

The grant is part of a new round of nationwide investments totaling more than $194 million to support 118 projects to help rural and Tribal communities address immediate needs and create sustainable economic growth across 14 states and Puerto Rico.

RPN was launched in April 2022 by the federal government to ensure people in historically underserved rural and Tribal communities receive their fair share of funding from federal agencies.

Since its inception, federal agencies have invested over $8.5 billion across the 36 RPN community networks. RPN has facilitated almost 4,000 new partnerships and the launch of the Rural.gov website.

Projects will lower costs for families, create jobs, and grow businesses in rural areas. Additionally, projects will help communities transition to clean energy and modernize critical water and sewer infrastructure.

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