(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development spent more than $2.7 billion in Wisconsin over the past four years, according to a report produced by State Director Julie Lassa on her final day as a Biden-Harris appointee.
Wisconsin Rural Development has 62 employees with the state office in Stevens Point, and field offices in Dodgeville, Fond du Lac, Menomonie, Shawano and Spooner.
The department spent nearly $770 million over the four years to help nearly 4,000 rural residents find affordable homeownership, helping more than 200 residents with affordable home repairs and helping nearly 1,100 people with affordable rental housing, according to the report.
“Beyond the numbers, these investments are about strengthening rural communities and improving the quality of life for the people who live there,” Lassa said.
The department spent more than $1 billion on modern, clean electric infrastructure for rural Wisconsin communities and $579 million was sent to the Dairyland Power Cooperative last year as part of the New Empowering Rural America program for solar and wind energy installations.
The USDA spent $121.5 million on businesses and cooperatives, $84.2 million on direct and guaranteed loans and grants, $35.2 million on community facilities and more than $1 billion to build or repair electric and high-speed internet infrastructure in fiscal year 2024 alone.
“We’ve helped improve the quality of drinking water and wastewater treatment and many of these investments helped improve access and the quality of healthcare and public safety services,” Lassa said in a statement. “In addition, we’ve increased access to affordable homeownership, repair and rental opportunities. The impact of this funding will create more energy independence, save money, and strengthen economic development for years to come in the communities of rural Wisconsin.”