MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers this week will be traveling statewide to highlight the impacts of President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts on Wisconsin, including plans to gut a key federal program that helps Wisconsin’s rural communities improve and repair local infrastructure. Gov. Evers today announced over $18.6 million to support community improvement projects in 21 communities, including projects improving or repairing local roads, drainage systems, water and sewer systems, sidewalks, and other public facilities on which the community relies, under a federal infrastructure program that President Trump plans to cut as part of his proposed fiscal year 26 budget.
“For years, community development projects have played a critical role in helping make sure Wisconsin’s kids and families can get to school and work safely, that folks have access to clean and safe water, and that communities have the resources to improve local infrastructure, especially in our rural communities, among other important work. And this year is no exception, with millions of dollars in investments in projects in 21 communities across Wisconsin that connect the dots from housing and infrastructure to creating jobs and helping small businesses. So, I’m incredibly excited today to be announcing investments that will help rural communities across our state thrive for generations to come,” said Gov. Evers.
“At the same time, I’m also deeply concerned about what it will mean if the investments that make these projects possible all go away, and Wisconsinites need to know what’s at stake. Unfortunately, the program and investments that support projects like the ones I’m announcing today are in jeopardy—President Trump plans to gut this program in his upcoming budget, which would leave Wisconsin and communities across our state in a world of hurt,” Gov. Evers continued. “This week, I’m traveling across the state, highlighting these valuable projects and how critically important these investments are to Wisconsin’s future success. We cannot afford to let up on our work toward building the 21st-century infrastructure and economy we need here in Wisconsin, and I’m urging President Trump and Republicans in Congress to reconsider their plans to gut this critical program and the investments that help support kids, families, and communities across this state.”
Wisconsin receives Community Development Block Grant Public Facilities (CDBG) program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and distributes those funds toward public facility, housing, and economic development projects that benefit individuals with low and moderate incomes. The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) administers the CDBG program to support critical public infrastructure projects in low- to moderate-income communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer throughout the state.
President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget makes significant changes and cuts to several of HUD’s housing and community development programs, including eliminating the CDBG Program in its entirety. If passed, President Trump’s budget would have detrimental impacts on housing and community development efforts in Wisconsin, including efforts to make critical infrastructure repairs and upgrades, expand affordable housing, address homelessness, and more.
“The CDBG–PF grant program has long been critical for our smaller communities, helping build for the future,” said DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld. “We look forward to visiting and celebrating these improvements across the state.”
Communities receiving a total of $18.6 million in awards include:
- City of Abbotsford – $1 million for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- City of Ashland – $1 million for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- City of Augusta – $383,600 for sanitary sewer system infrastructure improvements and the construction of a new lift station;
- Village of Bagley – $1 million for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- Village of Boyd – $1 million for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- Village of Clyman – $1 million for water system, well, and water tower upgrades;
- City of Cornell – $1 million for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- City of Cumberland – $412,672 for water main boring, relocation, and replacements;
- City of Gillett – $1 million for public facility improvements at Zippel Park;
- Village of Iron Ridge – $950,300 for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- Village of Lomira – $1 million for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- City of Markesan – $1 million for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- Village of Milltown – $1 million for community center reconstruction and improvements;
- Village of Minong – $1 million for water system and wellhouse infrastructure improvements;
- City of Nekoosa – $956,151 for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- Village of Norwalk – $536,800 for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- Village of Plum City – $442,800 for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- City of Prairie du Chien – $1 million for street and utilities infrastructure improvements;
- Town of Ridgeville – $1 million for construction of a new fire station for the Norwalk Area Fire District;
- City of Shullsburg – $945,333 for street and utilities infrastructure improvements; and
- Village of Soldiers Grove – $1 million for wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation and equipment replacements.
DOA’s Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR) administers Wisconsin’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program. More information is available on the DEHCR website here.
An online version of this release is available here.
