Competitive Awards
Milwaukee Receives $2.5 Million Grant to Enhance Broadband Services
August 18, 2010
The City of Milwaukee was awarded a $2.4 million Public Computer Center (PCC) grant to aid in the improvement of PCC’s throughout the Milwaukee community. As a result of this award the Connecting Milwaukee Communities Initiative was formed. In recognition of the importance of computer access in public spaces, the City of Milwaukee has chosen to enhance broadband capacity and availability at libraries, public housing sites, and a senior center. The Connecting Milwaukee Communities (CMC) project intends to reach economically vulnerable populations, such as at-risk children, seniors,Spanish speakers, and low-income families by focusing its efforts on areas in the city with higher poverty and unemployment rates. Upgraded centers will provide opportunities for underserved residents to connect with the full benefits of broadband access, including computer training, online education, job skill development, personal money management skills, and access to online health information. Read more...
City Officials Announce Milwaukee Awarded $21.5 Million TIGER Grant
February 17, 2010
Mayor Tom Barrett today announced the City of Milwaukee has won a $21.5 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant.
The funds will be used for the replacement of the Juneau Avenue lift bridge and rehabilitation of the Wisconsin Avenue lift bridge in downtown Milwaukee. Both bridges are in need of significant repair, and the new spans will ensure a smooth flow of vehicles and pedestrian traffic in downtown Milwaukee.
"These bridges are important links to jobs, businesses, residential areas, and sports and entertainment venues throughout downtown Milwaukee," said Mayor Barrett. "The replacement and repair of these two bridges will contribute to the future growth in downtown and the Park East corridor, and will also create a significant number of construction jobs."
Mayor Barrett Announces $36 Million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program Awards
January 14, 2010
Mayor Tom Barrett today announced today that Milwaukee will receive $36 million in federal funds to alleviate the impact of high rates of mortgage foreclosure on city neighborhoods. The City of Milwaukee will directly receive $25 million, and Habitat for Humanity, Inc. will receive an additional $11 million.
The funds are part of $2 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds distributed nation-wide through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). NSP supports the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed, vacant properties in order to create more affordable housing and renew neighborhoods. This is the second NSP grant received by the City of Milwaukee; HUD awarded $9.2 million to Milwaukee in 2008.
Mayor Barrett Announces $1.075 million Recovery Act Pathways out of Poverty Award for Green Job Training
January 13, 2010
Mayor Tom Barrett today announced that Milwaukee was one of five cities awarded an ARRA Pathways out of Poverty grant. The $1.075 million award will be utilized to train workers in skills for the growing green economy.
“I am very pleased with today’s news that Milwaukee will be a recipient of one of the Pathways out of Poverty Awards,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “This funding will expand our efforts training workers who are directly facing the challenges of poverty and unemployment, and introduce skills where people can find steady employment.”
The Pathways out of Poverty award will help expand the Milwaukee Builds Program and the Milwaukee Urban Forestry Initiative, which prepares youth and young adults for careers and jobs in the construction and forestry sectors respectively. In addition to today’s award, the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board and the City of Milwaukee’s Community Development Grants Administration are leveraging approximately $2.75 million in additional funds for Milwaukee Builds and the Urban Forestry Initiative.
Milwaukee Shines
October 8, 2009
The City of Milwaukee – Office of Environmental Sustainability was notified by the U.S. Department of Energy on October 8, 2009 that it will receive $660,543 of continued funding for its “Solar America Cities” program MILWAUKEE SHINES. The overall purpose of the MILWAUKEE SHINES program is to develop a robust solar energy workforce and industry and reduce the complexities of installing solar in urban centers. Some of MILWAUKEE SHINES’ past efforts have focused on exploring innovative financing options, conducting outreach and education for both consumers and industry professionals, and supporting solar components manufacturing. As part of the continued funding, the program will primarily address solar hot water technologies. Over the next few years, MILWAUKEE SHINES will create a solar hot water business council, fund solar hot water demonstration installations, develop a solar hot water ‘best practices’ report, create a long-term financing mechanism for solar installations, and implement a solar-based competition in schools. To learn more about the City of Milwaukee’s effort in making solar mainstream, visit www.MilwaukeeShines.com
COPS Grants - SOS and CSPP
October 1, 2009
On October 1, the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) announced more than $27 million in Fiscal Year 2009 grants for school safety and to locate, arrest, and prosecute child sexual predators and exploiters.
- Secure Our Schools
16 million under the FY09 Secure Our Schools (SOS) grant program. Grants will be awarded to 128 law enforcement agencies in 38 states. SOS grants provide funding to state, local, or tribal governments to assist with the procurement of school safety resources and the opportunity to establish and enhance a variety of school safety equipment and/or programs. Read more ...
- Child Sexual Predator Program
On October 1, the COPS Office will award over $11.4 million under the FY09 Child Sexual Predator Program (CSPP). Grants will be awarded to 26 law enforcement agencies in 19 states. CSPP is a funding initiative implemented by COPS aimed at reducing and preventing child endangerment and protecting communities from sexual predators. Read more ...
ARRA Port Security Grant
September 23, 2009
The City of Milwaukee successfully garnered an ARRA Port Security grant for $423,773. The Milwaukee Port Security Collaborative (MPSC) is a multi-jurisdictional network that provides cooperative response capacity to suspicious or emergency incidents. The City of Milwaukee convenes the group and the City of Milwaukee Office of Homeland Security is a critical partner in the MPSC. The collaborative shares training, expertise, equipment and personnel in the case of emergencies or a suspicious incident. Read more...
COPS Grant Announcement
July 28, 2009
City of Milwaukee announces $10 million in grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 under the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP). Vice President Joseph Biden announced yesterday a total of $1 billion in grants nationwide to 1,046 law enforcement agencies in all 50 states to create and preserve jobs. CHRP grants will provide 100 percent funding for approved entry-level salaries and benefits for three years for newly-hired, full-time sworn officer positions (including filling existing unfunded vacancies) or for rehired officers who have been laid off, or are scheduled to be laid off on a future date, as a result of local budget cuts.
YouthBuild Grant Awarded to MAWIB
July 23, 2009
Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB) wins $1 million YouthBuild grant to fund the Milwaukee Builds Initiative. Milwaukee Builds prepares young adults for careers and employment in the construction industry. YouthBuild is an annual federal competitive program. However, the U. S. Department of Labor increased the number and amount of awards based on the infusion of additional American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. This two-year grant will provide 60 individuals with skills to integrate “green” construction techniques into the building of two new homes and the rehab of one dilapidated home.