Evers visits Prairie du Chien
Governor Tony Evers speaks with Prairie du Chien Mayor David Hemmer on Illinois Street, which is the future site of a street improvement project scheduled for next year. The project is funded by the CDBG program. Prairie du Chien is one of 21 communities receiving federal funding through the program. (Steve Van Kooten/Courier Press)
By Steve Van Kooten
Gov. Tony Evers and Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld visited Prairie du Chien on Thursday, Aug. 28, to discuss improvement projects funded by the Community Development Block Grant program.
“The reason I like this program is that it allows small municipalities to get things done. This program really does make a whole lot of sense,” said Evers.
This past week, Evers announced more than $18.6 million in financial awards to 21 communities, primarily toward infrastructure improvements in rural communities, such as roadwork, sewer systems and public facilities.
During his visit to Prairie du Chien, Evers also met with representatives from Bagley and Soldiers Grove. All three communities received $1 million from the program.
“This is such an important program for small communities across the state,” said Blumenfeld. “We’ve been traversing the state, meeting with folks and hearing their stories about the meaningful impact these awards and grants are going to have.”
Evers has repeatedly encouraged Congress and the Trump administration to maintain the program, which began in 1973 and has received bipartisan support throughout the years. The governor said the program is “the only game in town” for small Wisconsin communities to address infrastructure needs.
“These projects are very important,” said Evers. “All of the money from this project goes to the Bagleys, the Soldiers Groves. It’s all small municipalities that are getting this.”
The Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources administers the program, evaluating projects on several factors.
“Each project is looked at and scored — they have to be shovel-ready and have to meet several buckets of usefulness of the communities, the need and the ability to get it done,” said Blumenfeld.
The DEHCR also looks at low-to-moderate-income residents of the communities that apply for the program.
“That’s really important for our small municipalities; every small municipality has people that fall into that category,” said Evers.
The City of Prairie du Chien’s project will include road improvements and water and sewer system upgrades on a 7-block portion of Illinois Street between Washington and Webster streets.
“A major portion of this project is water and sewer because of all the vibration from the rail traffic up and down Illinois Street. We’ve had multiple water main breaks on the northern end of the street, so it’s a much-needed project that we would not be able to complete without the grant,” said City Administrator Chad Abram.
Matt Muchow, a civil engineer with Vierbicher, said the water and sewer systems in the area are more than 70 years old, and the road is in “really rough shape.”
The project will also replace some lead goosenecks in the water system and give residents an opportunity to replace lead components in their systems.
The project directly affects approximately 61 residents. The city hopes to complete the project next summer.
Abram said the city considered raising utility rates for residents if they did not obtain the grant.
“We have to do the repairs because of how old the water and sewer are. But getting the $1 million is a lifesaver for the taxpayers,” he said.
The total cost of the project is approximately $1.9 million. The city has applied for the Clean Water Fund and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Safe Drinking Water Loan program for additional funding.
Bagley’s project includes upgrades to the sanitary sewer, water and storm drain systems and road improvements on Walnut and Chicago streets.
“The awarded grant funds will be extremely beneficial in providing crucial infrastructure improvements within the village,” said Bagley Public Works Director Ryne Jackley.
According to Jackley, the water mains are between 60 and 70 years old. The project directly affects more than 80 residents and is scheduled to start next summer.
The Village has applied for additional grants and funding programs to cover the remaining cost.
Soldiers Grove will use the grant to help pay for $3.9 million in improvements to their wastewater treatment facility. According to Village President Shayne Chapman, the facility services more than 200 residents and local businesses.
“With this upgrade, it will eliminate continuous violation of the village’s permit and DNR code,” said Kaitlynn Ott, Soldiers Grove village clerk and treasurer.
Ott said sewer rates for village residents would have increased if they had not procured the grant money.
The Village is applying for the Clean Water Fund loan program for the remainder of the needed funding.
Michael Allie, Soldiers Grove public works director, said their project would likely start in the summer of 2026, with completion expected in 2027.
Other community representatives in attendance included Prairie du Chien City Planner Nate Gilberts, Prairie du Chien Public Works Superintendent Nick Gilberts, Bagley Village President Donna Schafer, Community Development Alternatives Executive Director Dale Klemme, Prairie du Chien Mayor David Hemmer and Soldiers Grove Public Works Attendant Jeanette McCormick.
