Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) applauded investments of $77.8 million in rural road improvement projects benefiting Wisconsin dairy processors and farmers. The amount, which is part of the second round distributed through the Wisconsin Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP), represents 77 percent of the $101 million in total funding awarded in this phase.
“These impactful investments in Wisconsin’s rural road infrastructure are felt not only in dairy processing plants, but throughout the communities they serve. Our entire food supply chain depends on – and benefits from – programs like ARIP. We’re sincerely grateful to Governor Tony Evers, our strong partners at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle – in particular, State Senator Howard Marklein and State Representative Travis Tranel - who have worked collaboratively to make these grants a reality,” said WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney.
Dairy processors directly benefiting from ARIP awards include Agropur, Bel Brands, Burnett Dairy, Chalet Cheese Cooperative, Decatur Dairy, Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Gilman Cheese, Integrity Cheese Packaging, K&K Cheese, LaGrander's Hillside Dairy, Mullins Cheese, Pasture Pride Cheese, Renard's Cheese, Revela Foods, Springside Cheese, and Two Guernsey Girls Creamery.
The 2023-25 Wisconsin State Budget included $150 million in ARIP funding. Across both awards cycles, a total of $111.4 million in grants has been directed to projects which, at least in part, benefit Wisconsin dairy farmers and processors, a press release explained. To date, the program has received nearly 300 applications from local governments supported by agricultural businesses totaling $507 million in requests. WCMA, together with partners in the Wisconsin Ag Coalition, is advocating for continued funding in the coming budget cycle.
Dairy processors can visit WisCheeseMakers.org/Grants for more information on ARIP and other funding opportunities.
