MADISON, WI- Governor Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA), announced over $115 million in grants to local and Tribal communities through DOA’s Flexible Facilities Program (FFP). Four local communities will benefit.
Shawano | $4,250,000
Funding will assist with the expansion of a multi-purpose recreation center, which will benefit over 9,200 individuals, including those lacking modern infrastructure and high-quality broadband internet.
“It’s very exciting,” said Park and Rec Director Matt Hendricks. “It is going to allow us to get the process started for what we want. It is going to be a massive step in the right direction.”
Funding will go towards renovating a multi-purpose community facility with a computer lab, a classroom, and two telemedicine rooms. “There are more and more meetings taking place between patients and doctors over Zoom,” Hendricks said.
“One of the issues that we had during Corona Virus was lack of internet access, and this is still kind of a response to that.”
Hendricks says there is WIFI at the city parks, but not much for indoor access. He said this was a response from the Federal Government and State Government to fix that.
The project aims to bridge digital access gaps by upgrading the facility to create electronic devices available for public use.
“This will provide additional spaces for us. We will have the chance to take a building that was built in the 1960’s and really make it more consistent with the 21st Century.
Fremont | $4,250,000
Funding will assist with the construction of a tri-county public library and community center, which will benefit over 2,100 individuals, including low-income families, seniors, and youth. Funding will go towards building a library and community center space with three telemedicine rooms, a senior center, and a computer lab with ten desktop computers. The project will invest in flexible spaces that enable remote access to work, education and health monitoring, and will include study rooms, a dedicated teen space, a STEM space, and a safe indoor children’s play area.
New London | $3,900,000
Funding will assist with public library renovations and improvements, which will benefit over 15,000 individuals, including those who are of lower socioeconomic status, disabled, and elderly. Funding will go towards the expansion of an existing library space to include six classrooms, a science lab, and three computer labs with 30 desktop computers. With project funding, the library will have increased broadband speed and technology that will address digital equity gaps and improve spaces, services, and materials, enhancing work, education, and healthcare monitoring.
Waupaca | $4,165,225
Funding will assist with the expansion of a community center, which will benefit over 4,500 individuals, including senior citizens, low to moderate-income households, and persons with disabilities. Funding will go towards renovating the existing community center with two classrooms, two telemedicine rooms, and a computer lab with 16 desktop computers. Additionally, this project aims to install high-speed internet, a gymnasium, and a career center and lab to directly enable work, education, and health monitoring.
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