Press Release: Gov. Evers Joins Local Leaders to Celebrate Groundbreaking of New YMCA in Waushara County

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 06/24/2025 02:40 PM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2025
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Joins Local Leaders to Celebrate Groundbreaking of New YMCA in Waushara County 
Waushara County YMCA set to support child care and telehealth services, as well as critical community programming, serving thousands of area residents in Central Wisconsin 
WAUTOMA — Gov. Tony Evers today joined local leaders in Wautoma to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Waushara County YMCA, which was made possible with a more than $4 million grant from the Evers Administration. Set to be completed in Fall 2026, the new Waushara County YMCA is a satellite location of the Stevens Point Area YMCA and seeks to provide high-quality wellness facilities and wrap-around services for area residents and families, including community spaces, programs for aging and older adults, telehealth opportunities, drop-in child care services for patrons, as well as a licensed child care facility to support care for approximately 50 kids.

“I declared 2025 the Year of the Kid, and throughout the year, we’re doing everything we can to do what’s best for our kids and the families and communities that raise them,” said Gov. Evers. “Here in Wautoma, thousands of area residents will benefit not only from the innovative health and wellness facilities provided by the YMCA but also from classrooms equipped with two dozen computers. So, whether it’s paying your bills, finding a job, scheduling your next doctor’s visit, doing homework, or connecting with friends and family, this project will help get families connected to high-speed internet and continue our work to close the digital divide in every corner of our state.”  

“Rural development is critical to the growth and success of our state. The support from the FFP grant ensured that this transformative initiative moved forward. From supporting workforce development, health monitoring, and digital connectivity, we can ensure that those across Waushara County and the region are well equipped and supported to thrive,” said Stevens Point Area YMCA President and Chief Executive Officer Ryan Zietlow. “We are greatly appreciative of this opportunity and look forward to sharing the impact it will have on thousands in our area.”

Waushara YMCA
Gov. Evers and stakeholders at groundbreaking for Waushara County YMCA

Last October, Gov. Evers announced over $115 million in grants to local and Tribal communities through the Wisconsin Department of Administration’s (DOA) Flexible Facilities Program (FFP). Among the projects awarded was the Waushara County YMCA, which will benefit over 3,200 individuals, including low-income families, elderly individuals, communities of color, and underserved youth. Funding will go towards building a new community center with a wellness center, a community lounge, and five classrooms with 25 laptop computers. The project will address critical community needs by providing a versatile space for activities and integrating cutting-edge digital connectivity equipment to support work, education, and healthcare monitoring in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), FFP grants are designed to fund community facility projects such as public libraries, community centers, and multi-purpose community facilities in order to address critical requirements of digital and broadband access resulting from or exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. The projects are intended to serve disadvantaged populations most disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and who have limited or no remote access to broadband. The funded projects must provide new, renovated, or expanded facilities, broadband/high-speed internet service, and other digital connectivity equipment and devices that will enable remote access to work, education, and health monitoring activities and resources.

More about the Flexible Facilities Program is available on DOA’s Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources FFP page here. 
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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