Senator Feingold Announces Stimulus Funding For Rural Development In Wisconsin

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More Than $3 Million Will Help Improve Public Facilities in Rural Wisconsin Communities

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold announced that Wisconsin will receive more than $3 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the economic stimulus, to invest in rural development projects in Wisconsin.

Administered by the USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities program, the stimulus funding will help improve six different community facilities in rural areas across Wisconsin including fire and rescue stations, a nursing home, public buildings and a school.

“I am pleased this stimulus funding will improve important facilities in rural communities so more Wisconsinites have access to the services they need,” Feingold said. “These communities are the backbone of our state, and they deserve our strong support.”

Wisconsin communities receiving stimulus funding are:

* Knapp Haven Nursing Home in Chetek, Wisconsin will receive $2,860,000 for construction, renovation, or the purchase of equipment and furnishings.
* The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin in Keshena will receive $100,000 to renovate the current EMS station so emergency vehicles, equipment and staff can be located on-site and not at a building 10 miles away, ensuring quicker emergency response times.
* $66,000 for the Gilman rural fire department to purchase equipment
* $35,000 for public works equipment in Whitehall, Wis.
* $30,000 for emergency services in Dorchester, Wis.
* $17,500 for the relocation and refurbishment of the historic one-room Scranton school near Pittsville, Wis.

Across the country, more than $60 million will be invested in 280 projects to help communities in 39 states. According to the United States Department of Agriculture these projects are the first of many that are expected to create or save more than 1,350 jobs and help rural communities receive expanded services.

More information about rural development stimulus funding can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/arra/recovery-program.htm. More information on how the ARRA will benefit Wisconsin communities is available at http://feingold.senate.gov/recovery.

Source: Senator Russ Feingold