Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is a $550 billion dollar package with funds available through fiscal year 2024. BIL is a once in a lifetime funding opportunity that supports general infrastructure (e.g. bridges, roads, and railroads) and workforce development. The law also contributes dollars to other important aspects of life such as expanding access to broadband, removal of lead pipes, public safety, clean energy, and a healthy environment.

The BIL includes special provision for rural communities, and many programs have portions of grant funding reserved for rural communities. Ensuring rural Wisconsin has access to BIL funding is a high priority of WEDC and the Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP).

ORP convenes an interagency task force to identify opportunities and pilot initiatives that build capacity for rural communities to access BIL funding. The task force has created a grant writing pilot in partnership with NWRPC and UW-Steven's Point to hire graduate students to provide grant writing assistance. The task force has also created a directory of professional consultants who can assist with grant writing and infrastructure projects and a spreadsheet that tracks open BIL funding opportunities. Both can be found under Resources.

BIL TASK FORCE MEMBERS
• League of Municipalities
• Towns Association
• UW Division of Extension
• Institute for Local Government
• Department of Revenue
• Public Service Commission
• Department of Natural Resources
• Department of Transportation
• USDA Rural Development
• Office of Rural Prosperity at WEDC

Eligibility

All rural communities within the State of Wisconsin.

Related Resources