By Blake Jackson
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) has commended the efforts of the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee, Governor Tony Evers, Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), and Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) for advancing a budget agreement that includes $150 million in funding for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP).
“Wisconsin’s investments in rural road infrastructure make a meaningful difference not just for dairy processors, but for the communities they anchor. These dollars strengthen our supply chain and make our roads safer,” said WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney. “We are grateful for the support of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, particularly Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Representative Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) for their consistent championship of the program, and for the collaboration and support of Wisconsin Department of Transportation leaders to make these critical grants possible.”
In the 2023-25 state budget, ARIP was also funded with $150 million. Through two rounds of awards, $111.4 million was distributed to projects that directly or indirectly supported Wisconsin’s dairy industry.
Some of the dairy businesses that benefited include Agropur, Burnett Dairy, Chalet Cheese Cooperative, Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Mullins Cheese, Renard’s Cheese, and many others across the state.
WCMA has long worked with partners such as the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Dairy Business Association, under the Wisconsin Ag Coalition, to advocate for continued ARIP funding and improved infrastructure to support the state’s dairy sector.
Photo Credit: gettyImages-shaunl
Categories: Wisconsin, Rural Lifestyle