Tigerton village, school district receive USDA grants

U.S. Department of Agriculture Wisconsin Rural Development State Director Frank Frassetto announced Monday that the USDA is investing $2.1 million to improve public safety equipment, community buildings and education.

“These investments will allow these rural communities provide safe, modern equipment and supplies to service and meet the needs in their residents,” Frassetto said. “Through our Community Facilities programs, USDA Rural Development partners with communities to maximize the affordability of their infrastructure needs.”

Tigerton School District received a $72,000 grant to upgrade and enhance the technical educational department. The technical education department has been growing, along with class sizes and has been an educational foundation for the students. This project will include the purchase of a plasma cutter and router table, computers, three-dimensional resin printer and vinyl printer/cutter.

The village of Tigerton received a $168,000 grant to construct a building to house public works equipment. The existing facility contains the Village Hall, police department, fire department and public works garage. It is too small to house the existing equipment and provide space for additional equipment needed.

The city of Clintonville received a $100,000 grant to purchase a jetter truck for the wastewater utility department.

The city of Marion received a $1,050,000 loan and a $250,000 grant to construct a municipal garage. The public works building, built in the 1950s, lacks the needed space and has safety concerns. The new facility will be built to the current energy code.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. Grant applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted.

Funding is also coming from the Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program and the $150 million in grants included in the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act that President Donald Trump signed into law on June 6, 2019.

For information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wi, call 715-345-7600 or email wi-rd-stateoffice@usda.gov.