Press Release: DOA Visit Highlights $4.7M Affordable Housing Development in Ashwaubenon

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary

DOA Visit Highlights $4.7M Affordable Housing Development in Ashwaubenon 

Ashwaubenon, Wis. – Today, Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld toured the recently completed affordable workforce housing development funded through a $4.7 million Neighborhood Investment Fund grant from Governor Evers.

The Secretary met with Ashwaubenon village leaders and executives from General Capital, for a tour of the Berkshire Ashwaubenon Apartments complex, which includes both workforce housing and senior apartments. State funding for the project also included $993,000 in HOME funds from DOA and WHEDA tax credits, to develop the seventy-five-unit apartment complex serving the Ashwaubenon community.

“Affordable housing is a key piece of the puzzle to help us support our workforce development statewide, and it’s exciting to see this project come to life for the benefit of Ashwaubenon workers, seniors, and families,” said Secretary Blumenfeld.

(L-R: Joel Gregozeski, Ashwaubenon Village Manager; Aaron Schuette, Community Development Director; Emily Peplinsky, General Capital; Luke Samalya, General Capital CEO; DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld; Regina Conte, General Capital property manager; Mary Kardoskee, Ashwaubenon Village President; Josh Hafron, General Capital vice president; Mary Wangerin, General Capital property manager.)  

“The Village of Ashwaubenon has been trying to get, for many years, affordable senior housing options for our residents,” said Mary Kardoskee, Ashwaubenon Village President. “We are grateful for Governor Evers and the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration for their support of affordable senior housing in our community.”

“A project of this magnitude would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of the Village of Ashwaubenon, WHEDA and the State of Wisconsin,” added Sig Strautmanis, General Capital Group partner. “The Village had a specific vision for this high-profile site just blocks from Lambeau Field including high quality, active housing for area seniors as well as townhomes for Ashwaubenon’s working families. This project came to fruition during one of the most challenging times in construction, when costs were spiking, and supply chain delays were frequent. It’s a great feeling to sit in the lounge and chat with happy residents, who aren’t concerned about ‘how’ we got here, just the fact that we did! We’re grateful to our local leaders as well as the State of Wisconsin for helping make this project happen.”

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 DOA and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.

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 grant opportunities, sign up for the Badger Bounceback update list.