CNNF joined forces to share community development resources and information

Veronica Hinke

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

July 16, 2024

Two women standing near a table "looking" at a booklet — Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Public Affairs Officer Veronica Hinke provides information about available grant funds to community leaders during the Rural Partners Network “Progress Through Action” workshop in Rothschild, Wisconsin on June 13. (*Photo courtesy of Chad Atkinson, mitigation section supervisor, Wisconsin Emergency Management*)

WISCONSIN—USDA Forest Service program managers with the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest joined partners to share resources and information during the Rural Partners Network “Progress Through Action” workshop in Rothschild, Wisconsin recently. Community leaders and the public gathered from throughout the state to learn more about ways to enhance community spaces, apply for grant funding, build volunteer networks and more.

“Sincere thanks to USDA Rural Development, Wisconsin, for providing this distinct outreach opportunity for us to engage in with our partners,” said Public Affairs Officer Veronica Hinke. “We are grateful to have been able to share stories about the many rural development projects happening in the forest.”

Some of the projects highlighted during the information fair included:

$1.8 million in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funded projects over the next two years to help improve watershed health and increase infrastructure flood resistance on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The projects will be completed in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Trout Unlimited, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Florence, Forest, and Vilas counties; and Alvin Township.
$184,000 in projects in Bayfield and Forest counties to help increase flood resilience, improve fish passages and maintain public access in the Forest. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with local county highway departments, will complete culvert replacements on four priority National Forest System road stream crossings.
Bridge replacement and enhancement projects made possible through funding through the Great American Outdoors Act. Projects like the new Brunsweiler Bridge will help sustain rural infrastructure in the Forest for generations to come.

Rural Partners Network is an all-of-government initiative that helps rural communities find resources and funding to create jobs, build infrastructure and support long-term economic stability on their own terms. It is co-led by the White House Domestic Policy Council and USDA.

In November 2022, Rural Partners Network expanded to 13 Wisconsin counties: Adams, Ashland, Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Forest, Iron, Menominee, Pepin, Price and Trempealeau.