Wis. Stat. § 84.185 — WI Code / Chapter 84 / Section 84.185
Section 84.185
Status: in_force

8. Whether the improvement serves a public purpose.

9. Whether the improvement is unlikely to be made without assistance under this section.

10. Whether the improvement will be located in an area of high unemployment or low average income.

11. Whether the improvement will contribute to the economic growth of this state and the well-being of the residents of this state.

12. Whether a business that would be helped by an improvement is financially sound.

14. Whether the improvement would have a significant negative impact on other businesses.

(c) The secretary may approve the relocation of a segment of railroad track as an improvement of a transportation facility if the land on which the track lies is necessary for the expansion or continued operation of an existing business facility and the conditions under pars. (a) and (b) are met.

(3) Department share.

(a) When awarding a grant under this section, the department shall establish a grant ceiling. Except as provided in par. (b) 2. , the grant ceiling shall not be amended after the secretary has approved an application for funding. Except as provided in par. (b) , the grant ceiling shall be the lesser of the following:

1. 50 percent of the anticipated cost of the improvement.

2. Five thousand dollars for each job retained or created in this state resulting directly from the improvement or economic development project.

(b)

1. If the secretary finds that special circumstances exist, the secretary may increase the grant ceiling determined under par. (a) .

2. The secretary may increase the grant ceiling determined under par. (a) by $50,000 if the secretary determines that all of the following apply:

a. The improvement includes the construction, expansion or rehabilitation of a rail spur or other facility related to railroads.

b. The applicant demonstrates that the improvement will result in a reduction in the amount of motor truck traffic entering or exiting the area or community in which the improvement is located.

c. The department received the application for assistance under this section before April 27, 1998, and either the improvement was not completed by that date or not all reimbursements under this section were made by that date.

3. The department may reduce the grant ceiling determined under par. (a) for any reason, including the following:

a. The grant ceiling determined under par. (a) is based on 50 percent of the anticipated cost of the improvement and would result in a grant exceeding $1 million.

b. Grants for all eligible applications would exceed available funds.

(3m) Review of applications. The department shall accept, review, and make determinations on applications for assistance under this section on a continuing, year-round basis. The department shall make a determination on each application for assistance under this section within a reasonable time after its receipt by the department.

(4) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules establishing criteria for making determinations under this section. The rules shall include criteria to rank projects and make competitive selections, and criteria and procedures for the repayment of loans made under sub. (6m) .

(6m) Administration. From the appropriations under s. 20.395 (2) (iq) , (iv) and (ix) , upon the approval of the secretary under sub. (2) , the department may make improvements to or provide other assistance for the improvement of a transportation facility under sub. (1) (d) 1. to 3. or provide other assistance for the improvement of a transportation facility under sub. (1) (d) 4. or 5. The department may make loans from the appropriations under s. 20.395 (2) (iq) and (iw) for the improvement of a transportation facility. The state share of costs for the improvement of a transportation facility, including any loans made under this subsection for the improvement of the transportation facility, may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the improvement.

(7m) Agreements. The department may enter into agreements with a governing body or private source, or both, respecting the financing of an improvement under this section.

(8m) Exception. Nothing in this section prevents the improvement of a transportation facility under other applicable provisions.

(8r) Ethanol production facilities. The department may not make a grant under this section after July 27, 2005, for an improvement related to an economic development project that involves the construction of an ethanol production facility, unless the department determines a competitive bidding process is used for the construction of the ethanol production facility.

(9) Exclusion of private roads. No private road or driveway, as defined in s. 340.01 (46) , may be improved under this section.

History: 1987 a. 27 ; 1989 a. 31 ; 1991 a. 39 ; 1993 a. 16 ; 1997 a. 237 ; 2001 a. 109 ; 2005 a. 25 ; 2007 a. 20 ; 2011 a. 32 ; 2019 a. 63 .