By Blake Jackson
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has announced the first round of grants for the Agricultural Road Improvement Program (ARIP). This $50 million initiative aims to improve rural roads crucial for transporting agricultural products.
The program addresses a longstanding challenge faced by farmers: poor road conditions hindering efficient transportation. By upgrading these roads, the state aims to reduce costs for farmers and ultimately benefit consumers.“A farmer’s biggest hurdle to getting products to market is often the road at the end of their driveway,” said Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Brad Olson. “Weight restrictions on roads force farmers to take longer routes or run half-loaded trucks, adding time and costs they can’t afford. These grants are a great start to remedying this long-standing problem.”
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation received applications totaling over $260 million for the first round of funding, which was five times the amount available.
The awarded projects are spread across the state, aiming to improve the transportation efficiency of agricultural goods, which will save money for both farmers and consumers.
“The bumper crop of applications for the first round of grants shouldn’t surprise anyone,” Olson added. “There is a tremendous need for this funding. I encourage farmers and local governments who didn’t receive funding in this round to apply for the $100 million available in the next round this fall and to talk to their legislators about the need to continue this program.”
Upgrading these roads will benefit farms and agricultural industries of all sizes and types, addressing a critical infrastructure need and supporting the broader agricultural economy in Wisconsin.
A listing of the awards can be found here.
Photo Credit:istock-stefonlinton
Categories: Wisconsin, Business, Government & Policy