Around Town
RURAL ROAD REPAIR: Are there local roads in your community that need repairs? If they are used by farmers or the agricultural industry, then your local government could apply for the Agricultural Road Improvement Program (ARIP), according to State Rep. Brent Jacobson. “Last session, the 87th Assembly District received millions of dollars through ARIP to fix our rural roads! With the application period now open, I highly encourage you to reach out to your local officials and ask them to apply for funding,” Jacobson noted. The application deadline closes Dec. 15.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT: Do you still have Scandinavia Public Library Book Bucks from this summer’s “Color Our World” reading program? Well, you’ve only got two weeks left to use them — all Book Bucks expire on Sunday, Oct. 19!
Around the County
KING EXPANSION: The Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery will receive $982,675 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Cemetery Grants Program. According to state officials, the funds will be used to add 1,100 new in-ground cremains gravesites and enhance the cemetery’s landscaping and irrigation systems. Courtesy Fox 11 News
COUNTY DEFICIT: On Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Waupaca County Board of Supervisors approved a recommendation for the finance committee to pursue a budget plan that would reallocate at least $2.6 million across various services. According to the county clerk, the proposal aims to achieve these savings by eliminating vacant positions and redirecting funds to other areas. Read the WBAY Channel 2 story here.
Around the State
AG OUTLOOK: Low crop prices, high input costs could hurt corn and soybean farmers. Corn production nationally is expected to be 13 percent higher than last year, with Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, and six other states expected to see record yields. Read the Wisconsin Public Radio story here.
RURAL BROADBAND: In Wisconsin, more than 260,000 locations lack access to high-speed internet, according to the state’s Public Service Commission. The state of Wisconsin submitted its revised proposal for internet grants last month and is now waiting for a response from the federal government. The revised plan submitted has 73% fiber, 13% fixed wireless, often from towers, and 13% satellite. Read The Badger Project story here.
ACCESSIBLE HOUSING: State Rep. Brent Jacobson (R–Mosinee) joined Assembly Republicans in passing bills aimed at helping first-time home buyers. Jacobson said, “Young and working-class families face rising home prices because there aren’t enough homes.” The package includes creating Tax Increment Districts to spur workforce housing, increasing transparency in permitting, and delaying new building codes. Jacobson, a former mayor, praised TIDs for incentivizing construction and urged swift development without costly delays. He looks forward to Senate approval and Gov. Evers’ signature.
