NORTHEAST WIS. AND MICH. – During the last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has invested $330 million into rural communities across Wisconsin.
In the last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development made $330 million in investments in rural communities across Wisconsin.
This included $178 million towards community projects ;$27 million in economic development and agribusiness; and $125 million in affordable housing developments.
These investments were made with the intention to boost Wisconsin’s economy, invest in agricultural opportunities, develop rural infrastructure, and encourage private investment in rural America, the department shared.
Secretary Brooke Rollins shared in a press release, “Rural communities across America are the backbone of our nation and President Trump is committed to investing in these communities so they continue to be productive and fulfilling places to live for generations to come.”
“At USDA, we are proud to fund these historic levels of rural investment,” she added.
USDA Rural Development investments in Wisconsin focused on rural communities by financing infrastructure, agribusiness projects, rental assistance and single-family housing, along with community facility investments that help improve public safety and healthcare access in rural areas.
According to a 10 year report from the USDA, Marinette County received $82.9 million in total funding between 2016 and 2026. This included $79.3 million in loans and $3.5 million in grants.
Of these funds, Marinette County secured $4 million in investments in the 2026 fiscal year alone. This marked the county as the recipient of the second-most funding by investment dollars in the state, trailing Crawford County at $5.2 million.
The main activity that USDA Rural Development funding was used for were single family housing initiatives, which accounted for more than $3.8 million of the year’s total. This included 21 guaranteed loans and one repair grant.
“Rural Development’s single family housing programs give families and individuals the opportunity to buy, build or repair affordable homes located in rural America. Eligibility for these loans, loan guarantees and grants is based on income and varies according to the average median income for each area,” the department stated.
Additionally, the county saw $200,176 dedicated to multifamily housing through five rental assistance investments.
“Multifamily housing revitalizes and supports over 14,000 properties in USDA’s rural rental portfolio. Multifamily housing assists rural property owners through loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop and rehabilitate properties for low-income, elderly, domestic farm laborers, disabled individuals and their families.”
Neighboring Oconto County also saw substantial long-term support, totaling $53.1 million between 2016 and 2026. This included $48.3 million in loans and $4.9 million in grants.
For the current fiscal year, Oconto received $1.6 million. The largest single investment was directed toward infrastructure, with $994,000 allocated for a water and environmental direct loan. The remainder of the year’s funding was split between single family housing — $358,585 via two guaranteed loans — and multifamily housing — $222,120 for four rental assistance investments.
Across the border in Michigan, Menominee County recorded a ten-year total of $43.6 million. This funding was almost entirely loan-based, with $42.8 million in loans and $786,400 in grants.
During the current fiscal year, Menominee’s $1.2 million in funding was characterized by a focus on housing. The entirety of the funding was used for eight guaranteed single family housing loans.
USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Andrew C. Iverson said, “Rural Development looks forward to continuing to invest in communities across Wisconsin.”
Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov/wi.
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