Kagen Applauds Recovery Act Funds For Improving Our Communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:       
August 11, 2009

Contact:  Jake Rubin
(202) 225-5665

KAGEN  APPLAUDS  RECOVERY  ACT  FUNDS  FOR  IMPROVING  OUR  COMMUNITIES

(APPLETON, WI)  Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. says we are investing in Northeast Wisconsin to improve our communities and jump start local economies. $12.1 million in Recovery Act funds were announced today for community development projects in Wisconsin.

“I am working hard to bring our tax dollars back to Wisconsin – improving our communities and helping businesses create and sustain jobs,” said Kagen.  “We have taken action to put our nation on the road to economic recovery.  Everyone understands these actions will take time to succeed, but we are moving in the right direction.”

Lakeshore Community Action Program Lakeshore CAP will receive $383,243 for Job Training, Job Development, Homelessness Prevention, Financial Literacy and Agency Capacity Building in Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties.

Northeast Wisconsin Community Action Program (NEWCAP) will receive $927,460 for Job Training, Housing Development and Rehab and Case Management in Brown, Shawano, Oconto, Menominee, Langlade, Oneida, Vilas, Forest, Florence and Marinette counties.

The Community Service Block Grants (CSBG) are directed to local organizations for efforts that ensure citizens have access to services that will help them reduce the effects of poverty and work toward self sufficiency.  The majority of Wisconsin’s CSBG ARRA funds will be expended toward jobs and jump starting local economies.

In February, the City of Appleton received $161,702 and the City of Green Bay received $267,161 in Community Development Block Grants through the Recovery Act.

The Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment has determined that individuals and households in counties in the 8th Congressional District will receive approximately $222,130,084 in total tax relief under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Recovery funding will be distributed in 72 counties across the state for advancing skill training and employment programs.  A full list of community organizations receiving funding can be viewed at http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/pdf/anticipated_2009_csbg_funding.pdf.