Dept. of Commerce: Gov. Doyle announces $321,000 in state funding for street reconstruction, sanitary sewer upgrades in Viroqua

Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608/267-9661

MADISON—Governor Jim Doyle announced today that the City of Viroqua, Vernon County, has received a $321,000 grant from the Community Development Block Grant-Public Facilities (CDBG-PF) program of the Department of Commerce. This funding will help reconstruct one of the main streets in the city and upgrade the city’s sanitary sewer system.

“Upgrading the infrastructure of our communities is a priority as we work to spur economic development,” Governor Doyle said. “This grant will help bring additional reinvestment to Viroqua and help create jobs for hardworking Wisconsin families.”

The City of Viroqua will use the funding to reconstruct West Broadway Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, and replace the sanitary sewers along this roadway. The total cost of the project is $928,224.

This new grant builds on the Governor’s efforts to position Wisconsin for future growth. Since taking office in 2003, Governor Doyle has worked aggressively to create and retain jobs in Wisconsin. Governor Doyle’s budget last year created some of the strongest economic development tools in the nation to help businesses create jobs and get people back to work. Wisconsin now has powerful new tax credits to help manufacturers create and retain jobs, new tools to help investors create start-ups, and new incentives to spur research and development.

The CDBG-PF program plays an important role in helping communities finance a wide range of projects designed to enhance their economic vitality. Some of the benefits of the CDBG-PF program include improved community infrastructure, the expansion of tax base, job creation and increased private investment in downtown areas.

For more information on Commerce programs and services, contact the Division of Housing and Community Development at jason.scott@wisconsin.gov or 608/261-7714.