Senator Baldwin Delivers for Southeastern Wisconsin in Government Funding Legislation

SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN – Wisconsin leaders are applauding U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s (D-WI) work to secure support for Southeastern Wisconsin in this year’s annual funding legislation. In total, Senator Baldwin secured over $260 million in direct support for over 80 community-driven projects across Wisconsin in the first and second bipartisan funding packages which were signed into law last month.

“I am proud to deliver the resources Southeastern Wisconsin communities need to confront the challenges they face and build toward a stronger future,” said Senator Baldwin. “With this funding, we’re expanding access to affordable housing, boosting infrastructure to further economic development, giving the tools our law enforcement needs to keep us safe, and so much more. These community-driven projects will strengthen our local economies, bring costs down for families, and leave a safer, cleaner environment for the next generation.”

Senator Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured funding for the following community-driven projects in Southeastern Wisconsin:

Milwaukee County
$2,000,000 for the development and support of affordable housing projects throughout Milwaukee County.

“Housing is a matter of public health, and housing security is a critical social determinant of health. Our shared vision for Milwaukee County includes expanding equitable access to safe, quality, and affordable housing,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “I am grateful for Senator Tammy Baldwin’s leadership and impactful efforts to deliver federal funding for our community where it’s needed most. Through this investment, we will continue working together to ensure more residents and families have access to the affordable housing options they deserve.”

Kenosha Area Business Alliance
$1,200,000 to support construction of affordable housing as part of the Kenosha Uptown Lofts project.

“We are very grateful to receive this critical funding for the Uptown Lofts mixed-used development in Kenosha. This project will be an important step towards revitalizing the Uptown neighborhood which has endured many hardships in recent years. Thank you to Sen. Baldwin for helping KABA and its partners reach the finish line on the project with this much-needed grant funding,” said Nicole Ryf, President of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance.

City of Milwaukee
$500,000 to support construction of public infrastructure to support economic development opportunities for manufacturing development in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley.

“Developing the Kneeland Properties has been a priority of City of Milwaukee’s for more than two decades.  It took vision and coordination with Menomonee Valley Partners and the adjacent businesses to make this project possible,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “This funding will help create opportunities for new light industrial development and job creation in the Menomonee Valley. It will also help establish connections and public access to the future riverwalk.”

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District
$3,000,000 for sewer infrastructure and reduction of overflow risks.

“Like wastewater utilities across the country, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) has an ongoing program to rehabilitate our aging infrastructure.  Senator Baldwin’s support for the MMSD Sewer Rehabilitation Program will allow MMSD to perform this work in a timely manner, ultimately helping to protect Lake Michigan,” said Kevin Shafer, Executive Director of Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District.

Sojourner Family Peace Center
$537,000 to support work of the Domestic Violence High Risk Team, a multidisciplinary team that includes advocates, Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and representatives from suburban law enforcement agencies to efficiently identify and staff domestic violence cases at the highest risk for lethality in order to make individualized recommendations to maximize the safety for survivors and accountability for offenders.

“We are honored by Senator Baldwin’s commitment to the lifesaving work of the Domestic Violence High Risk Team. In its seven-year history, DVHRT has saved thousands of lives through early and effective intervention in domestic violence cases at the highest risk for lethality,” said Carmen Pitre, President & CEO of Sojourner Family Peace Center. “Sadly, there are more cases than resources currently available to address them. This funding will allow us to bolster the work of DVHRT and to bring safety to more families in harm’s way.”

Children’s Hospital and Health Systems Inc.
$1,000,000 to support Children’s Mental and Behavioral Health Access to support families with outpatient, psychiatry and school-based mental health care.

“Children’s Wisconsin thanks Senator Baldwin for securing federal funding for our work to improve access to mental and behavioral health services for kids in the state. Wisconsin’s Office of Children’s Mental Health data shows that almost half of Wisconsin’s youth with a diagnosed mental health condition do not receive treatment,” said Amy Herbst, Vice President of mental and behavioral health at Children’s Wisconsin. “This funding will contribute to Children’s Wisconsin’s commitment to addressing that gap by supporting critical outreach and navigation services that ensure children and families get the care and supports they need.”

Milwaukee Public Schools
$1,600,000 to support the Success Center, a collaborative program to support the success and well-being of students through a multi-disciplinary approach that includes clinical mental health services and educational interventions.

“MPS appreciates Senator Baldwin’s advocacy on behalf of our students.  This funding will help us continue services provided through our Success Center as well as enhancing the supports for mental health services and social and emotional learning. We look forward to the details that are forthcoming,” said Dr. Keith P. Posley, Superintendent for Milwaukee Public Schools.

Higher Education Regional Alliance – Greater Milwaukee Community
$1,500,000 to support the higher education regional alliance microcredential project to provide microcredentials in information technology, health care, business, and education for workforce upskilling in order to meet talent needs in these critical areas.

“On behalf of the Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA), we are thrilled to receive $1.5 million through the support of Senator Baldwin for a FY24 Congressional Directed Spending award,” Vicki Martin, PhD, Chair of Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA) and President at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). “These funds will allow our institutions to expand the number and type of short-term microcredentials available so that our region’s companies and businesses can continue to grow their operations. HERA’s microcredential project will benefit our region’s workforce and individuals by providing the skills identified as most critical.”

Kettle Moraine YMCA
$150,000 to support youth mental health programming.

“We are very thankful in the support that Senator Baldwin and her office has provided to our YMCA. YMCA mental health programming has already made a big impact in the communities we serve, and this grant will allow us to continue and expand these offerings,” said Rob Johnson, CEO of Kettle Moraine YMCA.

Urban Ecology Center (UEC)
$2,000,000 to undertake infrastructure upgrades at its facilities in Washington Park.

“The Urban Ecology Center would like to extend our deepest gratitude to U.S. Senator Baldwin and Congresswoman Moore for supporting this important project in the Washington Park neighborhood,” said Jen Hense, Executive Director of Urban Ecology Center. “With this funding, we will update and expand the previous building creating a new community gathering and environmental education center; double our capacity for K12 school partnerships; improve the surrounding green space, and launch new early childhood education programming.”

Marquette University
$1,611,000 to support the Nursing HEROES program, including expansion of a simulation center to support clinical learning and help close Wisconsin’s nursing workforce gap.

“We are grateful to Senator Baldwin for championing funding for the Marquette University College of Nursing HEROES project,” said Jill Guttormson, PhD, MS, RN, Dean and Professor of Marquette University College of Nursing. “This will facilitate expansion of our nursing program with simulation equipment to support practice readiness and help meet the nursing workforce needs for Wisconsin.”

MATC Fast Fund
$500,000 to support students’ basic needs not already covered by financial aid that would otherwise derail their education.

“The FAST Fund at MATC is so grateful for this funding from Senator Baldwin. She clearly recognizes the realities for Wisconsin community college students and the basic needs emergencies they face,” said Liz Franczyk, Executive Director of the FAST Fund, an independent 501(c)3 run by current and retired MATC faculty and staff with support from AFT LOCAL 212. “We recently found that 70% of our students are spending nearly half their income on housing alone. This funding will be fundamental for us to continue to provide direct grants so our students can keep their lights and internet on, purchase the books they need for classes, or pay a small debt to the college so they can enroll in classes.”

Medical College of Wisconsin
$500,000 to support workforce pipeline development in the biomedical sciences, healthcare and STEM fields.

“On behalf of the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Clinical & Translational Science Institute of Southeast Wisconsin (CTSI), we want to thank U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin for being such a strong advocate for workforce pathway development in the biomedical sciences, healthcare and STEM fields. We’re thrilled the 500 Stars Initiative has secured this additional funding from Congress and the President, which will allow us to expand the capacity of the program,” said Reza Shaker, MD, associate provost for clinical and translational research at the Medical College of Wisconsin and senior associate dean and director of the Clinical & Translational Science Institute of Southeast Wisconsin. “The mission of CTSI’s 500 Stars Initiative is to provide hands-on training and educational opportunities for middle school, high school and college students who might not otherwise consider a career in science or healthcare. Specifically, we seek to grow Wisconsin’s workforce by exposing first-generation, low-income and under-represented students to career opportunities in the medical professions. I’d also like to thank Dr. Doriel Ward, executive director of CTSI, for leading the successful implementation of this program.”

The Water Council
$300,000 to support the Water Sector Mentoring and Employment for High School Students and Clubs program, which connects academic and career opportunities in the water sector through curriculum, scientific labs, and mentoring by water sector experts.

“By working with the Community Water Lab and additional local partners, we will make strides in expanding the water workforce, increasing diversity in the water sector, and providing valuable training and mentorship opportunities to Black and Brown youth. We greatly appreciate Sen. Baldwin’s assistance in securing this funding to address these vital tasks,” said Dean Amhaus, President & CEO of The Water Council.

United Way of Kenosha County
$200,000 to support literacy programming for children and families.

“With great appreciation, United Way of Kenosha County [UWKC] and Building Our Future [BOF] acknowledge and express gratitude to Senator Tammy Baldwin, Congress, and President Biden for entrusting our organizations as recipients of the 2024 congressionally directed spending funds allocated towards education initiatives,” said Carolynn Friesch, CEO of United Way of Kenosha County. “We understand that third-grade reading proficiency is a crucial indicator of a student’s potential success. In Kenosha County, where two out of three third graders struggle with reading proficiency, we are dedicated to addressing both immediate challenges and systemic issues to improve early-grade reading outcomes across our community. However, the current needs of students far outweigh the current levels of support. This funding will enable United Way of Kenosha County and Building Our Future to deepen our collaboration efforts, increasing access to valuable literacy programs regardless of students’ geographical locations and thereby promoting educational equity.”

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin
$500,000 to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for food-insecure families and individuals.

“We are incredibly grateful for Senator Baldwin’s persistence and determination to include funding for our FarmLink program, which connects Wisconsin farmers directly to our pantry partners, in the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill,” said Patti Habeck, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin President and CEO. “Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, like Senator Baldwin, believes that local farming for our food bank and food pantries ensures that families in our region have access to the most healthy food available. In 2023 alone, the FarmLink program enabled our organization to distribute over 220,000 pounds of fresh, locally-grown food to pantry partners throughout Eastern Wisconsin, and we look forward to serving even more neighbors in 2024 thanks in part to this funding.”

Meta House
$3,000,000 to support construction of a substance use disorder treatment facility for women.

City of Milwaukee
$963,000 to support the Milwaukee Police Department’s initiative to update its current radio system infrastructure, which is reaching the end of its manufacturer-supported lifecycle. The update will improve radio interoperability with surrounding cities and counties, which is critical to responding to crime and collaborating across southeastern Wisconsin.

Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee
$930,000 to support the Ready Center Collective, which is a collaborative city-wide effort to address urgent community needs by preparing Milwaukee teens to graduate from high school with skills and experience necessary to successfully transition to post-secondary education or the workforce.

Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha
$1,000,000 for facility expansion.

City of Elkhorn
$3,300,000 to install a water treatment system to address arsenic, radium, ammonia, iron and manganese contamination.

City of Waukesha
$1,000,000 for a computer aided dispatch and record management system for 911 Dispatch, Police, and Fire that will enhance the City’s ability to respond to emergencies in the community.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation
$3,800,000 for the Watertown Bridge Replacement project to replace the Cole Memorial Bridge structure over the Rock River.

Wisconsin Air National Guard
$7,100,000 for construction of an indoor small arms range for use by the 128th Refueling Wing at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.

Wisconsin Air National Guard
$4,250,000 for construction of an underground pipeline to support fuel delivery to the 128th Refueling Wing at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.

An online version 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.