Press Release: $1 Million Public Infrastructure Award Made for Omro Street and Utility Repairs

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary-designee

$1 Million Public Infrastructure Award Made for Omro Street and Utility Repairs

Wisconsin DOA Secretary-designee and WisDOT Deputy Secretary Joined City Leaders for Announcement

Omro, Wis. – On Wednesday, August 3, Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld, joined by Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Deputy Secretary Paul Hammer, Omro Mayor Steve Jungwirth, and City Administrator Vicky Rasmussen, presented a $1 million award to the City of Omro as part of the Community Development Block Grant public facilities funds recently announced by Governor Evers. 

The Omro event, held at the Omro Rushford Volunteer Fire Department, highlighted public infrastructure improvements planned for street, utility, and sewer work on West Larabee Street, Grant Avenue, and Michigan Street. The city plans to replace old clay and concrete pipes as well as a cast iron water main that dates back to the 1950s, install storm sewer, gutters, and expand sidewalks. It is one of 18 municipalities to receive awards for needed infrastructure improvements statewide from the 2022 CDBG-PF grant program.          

“Keeping our streets in good repair, ensuring residents have access to clean drinking water, and revamping our essential infrastructure, are critical puzzle pieces that keep a community going,” said DOA Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld. “These improvements are especially important now as we continue our strong recovery with family-sustaining jobs and opportunities to invest in the future of our communities.”  

(L-R: DOA Bureau Director David Pawlisch; WisDOT Deputy Secretary Paul Hammer; DOA Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld; City of Omro Mayor Steve Jungwirth; Omro City Administrator Vicky Rasmussen; Steve Bilkey, Omro Public Works Director; Dan Rammer, MSA)  

In addition to the $1 million CDBG-PF award, the City of Omro has received a combined American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investment of $939,000 for small businesses from the Evers Administration, while Winnebago County received an overall $106.7 million investment. Neighboring counties of Waupaca and Waushara each received a $1 million public facility award.  

The Community Development Block Grant program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.