Governor Tony Evers has garnered praise from the Wisconsin Ag Coalition for signing Senate Bill 247, enacting the game-changing Agricultural Road Improvement Program (ARIP). This significant milestone signifies a crucial leap forward in addressing the pressing need to revitalize and enhance dilapidated agricultural roads and bridges, which have placed a heavy burden on hardworking farmers throughout the state.
Following unanimous approval in both the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate, and after swift action by the Joint Committee on Finance, the consensus surrounding the urgency of modernizing Wisconsin's rural road infrastructure has been underscored.
The coalition, impressed by the Governor and legislature's recognition of the critical challenges faced by farmers, commends their efforts in tackling the infrastructure deficiencies that have hindered efficient transportation of goods and caused bottlenecks in the vital food supply chain. The new ARIP will empower local governments with grants to undertake essential repairs and reconstruction projects, thereby reducing transportation costs and enhancing the overall resilience of Wisconsin's food supply chain.
The Ag Coalition remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborating with the Governor, legislature, Department of Transportation, and local government partners to ensure the successful implementation of this groundbreaking legislation.
Noteworthy supporters of this bill include prominent members of the Ag Coalition, representing influential entities such as AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Bayer, Compeer Financial, and numerous others. Their collective support highlights the importance of restoring agricultural infrastructure for the benefit of Wisconsin's farming community and the state's economy as a whole.
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy