WCA: Multimodal Local Supplement Grant Awards Showcase Effective Partnership with State and Locals

The Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) is commending the release of county grants for community-based transportation and infrastructure projects by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) as a part of their Multimodal Local Supplement (MLS) Grant Program.

According to WisDOT, $1.4 billion in applications came into the department for the available $75 million in MLS grants. Ultimately, 1,596 applications were reviewed, and 152 projects were awarded, including 34 county programs.

“What the Legislature, Governor, and Department of Transportation did with this process is innovative, creative, and responsive to the infrastructure needs of our state,” said WCA Executive Director Mark D. O’Connell. “The MLS Grant Program highlights how state and local government can work together to address the needs of our citizens.”

O’Connell continued, “WisDOT established clear, concise criteria, brought locals into the process and cut red tape. As a result, this money gets to our communities at lightning speed. We should look to replicate this process in the future. This is how government should work.”

He concluded, “We can all agree that investment in transportation is a critical investment in the future of our state and our economy. Governor Tony Evers, the Legislature, WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson, WisDOT staff and those local officials that served on the selection committees should be commended for their fast and effective work in getting these funds into the hands of our local officials, where the impact will be immediate and far reaching.”

Listen: WisDOT PODCAST ON MLS GRANT AWARDS
On the “Transportation Connects Us” podcast released on March 4, 2020, Secretary Craig Thompson is joined by WCA Executive Director Mark O’Connell, League of Wisconsin Municipalities Executive Director Jerry Deschane and Wisconsin Towns Association Executive Director Mike Koles to discuss the impact of the program, what has been learned from the process and share feedback from their members.

• Listen to this “Transportation Connects Us” on your preferred podcast application or click here.

WATCH: MLS: INNOVATIVE PROCESS, LOCAL CONTROL, IMMEDIATE IMPACT
WCA Executive Director Mark O’Connell, League of Wisconsin Municipalities Executive Director Jerry Deschane and Wisconsin Towns Association Executive Director Mike Kole share their insight and opinions of the success of the MLS program.

Watch the video “MLS: Innovative Process, Local Control, Immediate Impact,” here.