Gov. Evers Announces State Building Commission Approves 50 Community Projects Across Wisconsin Supported by $50 Million State Budget Investment

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, chair of the Wisconsin State Building Commission (SBC), today announced the Commission approved a total of $160.8 million in key projects around the state, including $50 million for 50 projects in communities across Wisconsin funded through the new Non-State Grant Program, which was created in the 2023-25 biennial budget enacted by Gov. Evers last summer. These grants are targeted at bolstering critical infrastructure and services across key sectors such as health and wellness, economic and workforce development, arts and culture, and public services. By investing in projects that address pressing community needs—from expanding healthcare facilities to supporting workforce training and preserving cultural institutions—this funding will have a lasting, statewide impact, ensuring resources are distributed fairly across both urban and rural areas.

Gov. Evers has made building strong, safe, and resilient communities a top priority and is committed to ensuring the state’s infrastructure, workforce, and economy are prepared to meet the needs of the 21st Century. Last November, Gov. Evers launched the new Non-State Grant Program to support local infrastructure improvement and community development projects in communities across the state. The Wisconsin Department of Administration received overwhelming interest in the program, receiving more than 250 applications.

“I was glad to launch the Non-State Grant Program last year because an investment in local capital projects like these is an investment in local jobs and economies and improving public services and the quality of life for Wisconsinites statewide. I’m incredibly excited about these projects and the investments we’re making in communities in every corner of Wisconsin—this is great news for our state,” said Gov. Evers. “From strengthening hospital and emergency response services to honoring local veterans and supporting our tourism industry, among so much more, I’m looking forward to getting these critical investments out to communities that need them so these good folks can get to work on projects that will help serve our local communities.”

A statewide map of the approved 50 Non-State Grant Program projects by county is available here (note: counties receiving multiple grants are only reflected once). The 50 Non-State Grant Program projects approved today include:

• $500,000 to the Door County Historical Society for the reconstruction of the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Barn;
• $250,000 to Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass for the renovation of the museum;
• $850,000 to MENOMINI yoU for the Menomini yoU Inc. Waqsecwan Language Center;
• $2 million to the Weill Center Foundation Inc. for the transformation of the Weill Center;
• $500,000 to On Broadway Inc. for the Green Bay Public Market;
• $1.5 million to Mosaic Family Health Inc. for the Mosaic Family Health Non-State Grant Application;
• $2 million to Primary Connection Health Care Inc. for the Bridge Community Health Clinic impact expansion;
• $2 million to La Clinica Los Campesinos for the Family Health La Clinica expansion of FQHC services in Portage County;
• $1.2 million to Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa for the expansion of the Tribe’s new health clinic;
• $551,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area Inc. to assist in the construction of a new site in Ripon;
• $2 million to Outagamie County for the expansion of the Appleton International Airport concourse;
• $75,000 to Remington Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD) for RVFD building additions for decontamination and training;
• $274,000 to the Appleton Public Library for the Appleton Public Library building project;
• $90,000 to the Barron County Historical Society Inc. Pioneer Village Museum for the Welcome Center;
• $410,000 to the Shell Lake Arts Center to support their Act II Capital campaign;
• $950,000 to the Riverwood Nature Center for their rural development project;
• $250,000 to Northwood Technical College for the Medical Laboratory Education Center;
• $2 million to the LCO Community Health Foundation for the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe’s new clinic project;
• $1.5 million to Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center for the Tamarack Health Cable Clinic;
• $30,000 to Tellurian Behavioral Health Inc. to support mental health crisis stabilization, hospital, and jail diversion services at their new Jackson Street facility in La Crosse;
• $570,000 to Western Wisconsin Health for their Saving Rural Obstetrics program and to support general patient care;
• $800,000 to Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Inc. for The Highground multi-use visitor center project;
• $700,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Chippewa Valley for the renovation of the Lee & Mary Markquart Center;
• $1 million to the Center for Black Excellence and Culture;
• $800,000 to the Madison Area Rehabilitation Centers (MARC) for the MARC Mount Horeb capital campaign;
• $700,000 to Affordable Dental Care Inc. to expand access to emergency and ongoing dental health;
• $1.6 million to Badger Prairie Needs Network for the expansion of the Badger Prairie Network Warehouse;
• $500,000 to the Sun Prairie Library Foundation to support expansion and renovation efforts;
• $300,000 to the town of Rutland for the new town hall garage;
• $1.9 million to the Milwaukee Repertory Theater for the Associated Bank Theater Center;
• $750,000 to Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity for the Neighborhood Revitalization Program;
• $500,000 to Northwest Side Community Development Corporation for the High Quality Early Childhood Education Center;
• $750,000 to United Community Center-Milwaukee for the expansion of the Bruce-Guadalupe Community School;
• $1.05 million to the Center for Veterans Issues Inc. for the Milwaukee Soldiers Home National Historic Landmark District-Ward Memorial Hall;
• $1.75 million to Meta House Inc. for Project Horizon, which will create a centralized, multi-dimensional recovery community that supports the full spectrum of services needed for women and families to achieve and thrive in recovery;
• $1.2 million to the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport for the South Cargo Logistics Hub;
• $800,000 to Riverside & Great Northern Preservation Society for “Beyond the Rails” to enhance visitor experience and educational outreach;
• $600,000 to the Children’s Museum of Rock County for the new museum in downtown Janesville;
• $750,000 to Green County Family YMCA Inc. for the “Building A Stronger Community” project;
• $1.32 million to Carthage College for the expansion of nursing laboratories and classrooms;
• $2 million to Green County Development Corporation for the Green County Workforce Development Growing Green Trades Center;
• $830,000 to SAFE Haven of Racine Inc. for the Academy Early Learning Center;
• $2 million to Vernon Memorial Healthcare Foundation for MRI construction and to enhance access to healthcare;
• $1.2 million to KANDU Industries Inc. for the Milton expansion project;
• $2 million to Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois Inc. for the Next Steps Family Resilience Center;
• $800,000 to Mile Bluff Medical Center for the expansion of the Gateway Building and Emergency Department;
• $558,000 to the Waukesha County Community Foundation for the Parade Memorial at Grede Park;
• $1.75 million to the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville Inc. to support capital projects;
• $159,200 to the Kenosha Public Library for the Uptown Children’s Library; and
• $1,432,800 to the city of Baraboo for upgrades to local emergency response.

In addition to the Non-State Grant Program projects, the State Building Commission also approved:

• Acquisition of two key properties for the University of Wisconsin System (UW), one at UW-Madison and the other at UW-Stevens Point, which align with each campus’ long-term development strategies outlined in their respective master plans. These properties will support future academic and infrastructure projects essential to campus growth and modernization;
• Authorization of two critical facility repair projects for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) at the Central Wisconsin Center and Southern Wisconsin Center. These projects will address building envelope repairs and essential HVAC improvements to ensure safer, more efficient environments for both residents and staff at these care facilities;
• Approval for five projects that will address a range of pressing infrastructure needs. Projects include a comprehensive campuswide fire alarm and smoke detection system replacement at UW-Green Bay, extensive exterior envelope repairs at UW-La Crosse and UW-Milwaukee, a major roof replacement at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium at UW-Madison, and significant health and safety improvements at the UW-Parkside Facilities Management Center. These projects are part of the UW System Minor Facilities Renewal Program;
• Approval of three UW System projects under the Instructional Space and Technology Projects Program, targeting essential upgrades to instructional spaces across multiple campuses. Projects include renovations at the UW-Eau Claire Haas Fine Arts Center, the UW-La Crosse Wing Technology Center, and the UW-River Falls Agricultural Engineering and Agricultural Science Laboratories. These improvements are designed to enhance modern teaching and research capabilities, aligning with the growing demands of academic programs;
• Authorization for two local government-owned buildings at the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. These buildings serve as the hub for the North Lakeland Elementary School’s natural and cross-country ski trail programs, supporting local environmental education and outdoor physical activity initiatives; and
• Authorization for 24 facility maintenance and repair projects across various state agencies, including the Wisconsin Departments of Corrections, DHS, Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, and the UW System. These projects will address infrastructure improvements, safety upgrades, and essential repairs to ensure the ongoing functionality and safety of state-owned facilities.

The Building Commission is chaired by Gov. Evers and made up of the following members:

• State Senator Brad Pfaff;
• State Senator Joan Ballweg;
• State Senator André Jacque;
• State Representative Jill Billings;
• State Representative Rob Swearingen;
• State Representative Robert Wittke; and
• Citizen Member Barb Worcester.

An online version of this release is available here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.