Corrected Press Release: DOA Visit Highlights $9.85 Million Investment for Kenosha County

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary

DOA Visit Highlights $9.85 Million Investment for Kenosha County

Secretary Blumenfeld Toured Neighborhood Investment Fund Project and Met with Local Leaders

Kenosha, Wis. – On Thursday, April 20, Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld met with Kenosha county leadership, and learned about project plans for a new human services facility made possible through a $9.85 million Neighborhood Investment Fund grant from Governor Evers.

The Secretary met with County Executive Samantha Kerkman, Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian, City Administrator John Morrissey, Director of the Public Works & Development Services for Kenosha County, Shelly Billingsley, as well as local developers and stakeholders to learn about project plans for the new Kenosha County Human Services Building and discuss local economic development efforts.

DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld gathers with stakeholders after learning about project plans for a new human services facility made possible through a $9.85 million Neighborhood Investment Fund grant from Governor Tony Evers. Stakeholders included, from left, Craig Bartsch, Director of Acquisitions and Investments at Bear Real Estate Group; John Hotvedt, Vice President – General Counsel of BEAR Development; Kenosha Alderman Anthony Kennedy; Kenosha County Board Supervisor Gabe Nudo; Tim Mahone, BEAR Development Public Affairs Consultant; Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian; Secretary Blumenfeld; Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman; Kenosha County Supervisor Andy Berg; Rep. Tod Ohnstad; DOA Assistant Deputy Secretary Danielle Williams; Mark Molinaro Jr., principal of Partners In Design Architects; Shelly Billingsley, Director of Public Works & Development Services County of Kenosha; and David L. DeBartolo of Partners in Design Architects.

“The Human Services building project will make it possible for Kenosha residents to receive and be able to access critical services and support, and will no doubt create long-term benefits for the community,” said DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld, “This is precisely what the Neighborhood Investment Fund grants were intended to do, and why the Governor has called for the expansion of this successful program.”  

“Thank you to Secretary Blumenfeld for visiting us today, and to the Evers Administration for making this significant investment in Kenosha County and its people," said Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman. "Once online, this new facility will bring Human Services to the heart of the communities we serve, and it will provide for effective synergies with our community partners.”

The Neighborhood Investment Fund program was initially announced in August 2021 with additional investments announced in May 2022 and has provided local and Tribal governments with capital investments to meet ongoing community needs, especially in areas impacted by the pandemic. Grants are administered by the Department of Administration and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Governor Evers has recently called for expanding the successful program to meet ongoing workforce challenges around the state, through a $150 million budget proposal.

Visit BadgerBounceback.wi.gov to view pandemic-related assistance information as well as the latest data and success stories about how COVID-relief investments are making a difference across the state. For updates on other recovery-related grant opportunities, sign up for the Badger Bounceback update list.