New grant programs will help communities rebound

Two new competitive grant programs to help communities across Wisconsin, rebound and recover from the coronavirus pandemic, will provide $250 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, to help communities build longterm, sustainable economic success.

That includes a $200 million Neighborhood Investment Fund grant program, as well as a $50 million Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Investment grant program, for transformational capital projects that will help neighborhoods recover from the pandemic and that address the equity gap in the state – like housing projects, transit and childcare solutions, and increasing access to healthcare in underserved communities.

“If we want to see Wisconsin’s families, communities and economy, succeed for years to come, then we need to make the investments today to build long-term, sustainable economic wellbeing for tomorrow,” said Gov Tony Evers. “And what better place to make those investments, than in our people and our neighborhoods, so every Wisconsinite has access to the infrastructure and resources to thrive.”

Local and tribal governments will be eligible to apply for Neighborhood Investment Fund Grants to help their communities to deliver innovative public services, including new or improved facilities.

Governments could pursue new projects like workforce and entrepreneur innovation centers, affordable housing initiatives, transit and childcare solutions, or public space development, with a particular emphasis on increasing services for underserved individuals and populations.

The Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Investment Grants will provide funding to local and tribal governments, or non-profit healthcare organizations, to invest in capital projects that specifically support increasing access to healthcare for low income, uninsured and underserved communities, and the ability to respond to future pandemics response needs. Projects could include new or upgraded facility space that enables additional capacity for care within a community.

The programs are funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act and will be administered by the Department of Administration (DOA). Those who are interested in receiving more information about the grants, including the application, can visit public. govdelivery.com.