[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6202921,"mediaKeyId","3785133-40c19a84e1c901fb4938ce9468c1d856","parentId",3785133,"title","River Falls wins $4M state library grant; multiple business and housing grants pending","audioSeconds",206,"startMs",1399000,"endMs",1605000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3785133-40c19a84e1c901fb4938ce9468c1d856&start=1399&end=1605","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3785133-40c19a84e1c901fb4938ce9468c1d856/thumbnail_1399000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6202921/River-Falls/Pierce-County/Wisconsin/River-Falls-wins-4M-state-library-grant-multiple-business-and-housing-grants-pending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202921-3a1dc183f798c7814f8322676dfb8eb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151571&Signature=iGR~-nG5NaUV2MVWtnUvgjN6uavmBcef1~i5BSg21gSvW9KDY0nngXdSZ7eVPXnxOPiBMvLrkzVPnxtmCmzNnISMZMCisoaqMbR0B~7Lu4QJTkFrtTxKuV-KnxNgBoY-3xwqCSDcIelA1Ro4zopQVYvHxQqEzkB~5qP2yN7WVbfZvnzbhZ2-Bqx6lTpJFFiZUq6h5eqhFN4xjiC~SZN9Svj9AJb0VueYE~habU6an~xLdSxEmVRZNcZ4fvhAp6eVk7lb1QGSTwhSzhzpaRs5y7O0ryfdWVKCUeAQFWto0gARd4cB9~WtcuLQi5IMqSQWPG-3k~LQtiMnXWjTiwFl~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of River Falls, WI","date","2025-06-12T16:38:36.827Z","article","At a River Falls federal funding workshop, Merchant McIntyre told City Council members the city secured a $4 million state flexible-facilities grant for a full library interior renovation and that several economic-development grants for the Saint Croix Valley Business Innovation Center remain pending.

Fiona McLeod said the library project “was a $4,000,000 flexible facilities project…we were, thankfully awarded” after a short-notice application cycle last summer. For the Saint Croix Valley Business Innovation Center, she said the city has a pending USDA Rural Business Development Grant for $55,000, an Economic Development Administration expansion request for roughly $2,100,000, and a $350,000 request before Senator Baldwin to renovate and enhance coworking space.

Consultants told the council they will pursue a broad set of funding streams—federal, state and private—to support projects including the Mahan Valley Corporate Park, clean water and wastewater infrastructure, city facility needs such as generator replacement, affordable housing, and parks and trails. They noted federal grant programs often favor transportation, utilities or economic-development framing rather than stand‑alone park projects.

Council members asked about aligning Tax Increment District (TID) dollars with federal funding to support deeply subsidized housing and about translating local project blueprints—such as for the Glen Park pool—into competitive funding applications. Merchant McIntyre said housing is a top local priority but that “a lot of the discretionary funding that’s available at the federal level…comes through the state, and a lot of it…has very high barriers to entry.” The consultants said they will continue to hunt for opportunities and advised leveraging state and local readiness—plans, blueprints and aligned priorities—to make applications more competitive.

Pending awards remain that will affect the city’s capital planning; consultants said successful federal or state awards can free general-fund money for locally funded priorities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","River Falls City Council Workshop with Merchant McIntyre 6/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","Consultants reported a $4 million state flexible-facilities award for the library, several pending grants for the Saint Croix Valley Business Innovation Center, and discussed federal and state funding prospects for housing, parks and utilities.","taxTitle","River Falls, Pierce County, Wisconsin","taxId",69651,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6202926,"River Falls reports $1.4M in federal fire-station funding; police communications money selected",95,1275000,1370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3785133-40c19a84e1c901fb4938ce9468c1d856&start=1275&end=1370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3785133-40c19a84e1c901fb4938ce9468c1d856/thumbnail_1275000.jpg","/articles/6202926/River-Falls/Pierce-County/Wisconsin/River-Falls-reports-14M-in-federal-fire-station-funding-police-communications-money-selected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202926-a9250bd4f22f53bb039d0c655bc08657/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151571&Signature=cAnkyPbFrfnQ3hChOtbC0jvI-eDRtHE7D8rgZsYN5tJMtY36rib6~N7FMcJeTfFb4tS7s8SlR2MZ0wX55jDM-dUtPyMJ9jQCA2K3S32w2LGm2OT6pCMk70gAgrno~JMVIGQw8PwzmQxZRmKyyfy7COIZ7vlV3s5nzblY00eGKMdqaVrigriF5c9K5zHqhjISJvy0QOKUXgHayLoN1hFESgGuJfqd99hkXMKghPJFqwagDd1T9RKWeLNJWy1w5yD9RM-oAjo8Ce7rjN5EbSviKYBZWy2~9kNw2oQyM7crW5JrH2TbV~LgqbgGTAWR1Ch6IYdPceSyrYlIAtoAtBXBSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Merchant McIntyre reported at a River Falls federal funding workshop that congressionally directed spending (community project funding) in fiscal 2024 included $1,400,000 for fire station renovations and that a separate allocation for police communications equipment was selected for a future community project cycle.

Fiona McLeod of Merchant McIntyre said, “through the congressionally directed spending or community project funding process in f y 24, we were able to secure 1,400,000.0 for the firehouse, fire station renovations,” and she attributed the congressional selection to Congressman Derek Van Orden.

McLeod said police communications – including communications towers and portable radios – “were also selected by congressman Derek Van Orden for the f y 26 community project funding process.” McLeod stated the funding level for that item is currently about $862,000 and that the consultants expect that amount will allow completion of the communications project.

For fire apparatus and equipment, McLeod said the city is preparing to pursue the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. After discussions with the fire chief and police chief, she listed candidate purchases to target through grant funding: a water tender, a ladder truck, SCBA equipment and additional portable radios. McLeod said the AFG funding cycle typically opens in the fall and the team will monitor FEMA priorities to align the city’s application.

City staff and consultants framed the FY24 CDS award as a step in a multi‑year plan to address facilities and equipment needs; the FY26 police communications selection remains subject to the congressional appropriation process and further administrative steps.","Consultants said River Falls secured $1.4 million in congressional directed spending for fire station renovations and reported a separate $862,000 selection for police communications; the city will pursue FEMA AFG and other grants for equipment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6202930,"River Falls seeks Corps funding after WRDA change to advance Kinney Corridor dam removals",282,968000,1250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3785133-40c19a84e1c901fb4938ce9468c1d856&start=968&end=1250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3785133-40c19a84e1c901fb4938ce9468c1d856/thumbnail_968000.jpg","/articles/6202930/River-Falls/Pierce-County/Wisconsin/River-Falls-seeks-Corps-funding-after-WRDA-change-to-advance-Kinney-Corridor-dam-removals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202930-11af29224298a65e77f2fa40e0c0c0fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151571&Signature=h8xcJePR2MVqtQ8R6Gf3TLKIn0ftcgnU7N8S8aofOP4ttxWif3KPjfguxX4FxlKx2LR-AFtrQES5bVm~eEpodj3ByFt0RX5st00cOu56sl8P92vwxYCMcsxPMmZJ08zE1-VodhwPCI6TRylb-j-gElld2Hxoh6RU3vf6oUQwbCZsqdkORBZyos7anCXm9MOaVIkqPlJuYKyLcR~dw84oc2c2dbUxIkrnuh1fYVvuWaPrF8fy4f8pq4APchK2fg9WVouV8qJi8qQC~NK55PHjF-VsNVMfSLRfgOnjeUHHAkbhL~5cZC9SsA42cBTCr5lXLAgUMigfH29lPSXCFJouYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","River Falls officials and consultants told the council at a federal-funding workshop that congressional language in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 raised the project funding cap for the Army Corps’ Section 206 continuing-authorities program, a change that consultants say is central to advancing the Kinney Corridor project and planned removal of the Junction Falls and Powell dams.

Tristan Southern of Merchant McIntyre said the Section 206 authorization “is essentially the ticket to the game. We have to have the authorization in place in order to work with the corps.” He said the WRDA 2024 change increased the program cap to $15 million, providing the Corps and the city more flexibility than the previous $10 million cap.

Southern explained the two funding elements that must align for Corps-led work: authorization (permission from Congress for the Corps to work on the project through Section 206 ecosystem restoration) and appropriation (annual Corps funding Congress allocates to carry out authorized projects). He said the Corps has latitude to administer the program once authorized but still needs sustained appropriations to move feasibility into implementation.

Consultants said they and the city requested $1,850,000 in congressionally directed spending for the upcoming fiscal year so the Corps can begin engineering and design work if the feasibility study is complete. Southern said the earlier tentatively selected plan had an estimated cost “north of $19,000,000,” with an anticipated federal share around 65% (about $12,000,000), which previously conflicted with the prior $10 million program cap.

Southern warned that the new federal administration’s review processes and changing agency staffing can create delays and that securing recurring funding year to year is important to sustain the Corps’ project work. No appropriation award was reported at the workshop; the $1,850,000 request is pending congressional consideration.

City leaders and consultants said the authorization language in WRDA 2024 was a significant step but that appropriations and year-to-year funding decisions will determine how quickly Corps design and construction can proceed.","Consultants said congressional language in the Water Resources Development Act raised the Section 206 cap, clearing an authorization hurdle for the Kinney Corridor project; the city requested $1.85 million in congressionally directed spending to start Corps engineering and design.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6202932,"River Falls pushes federal bids for Main Street safety, transit projects",345,540000,885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3785133-40c19a84e1c901fb4938ce9468c1d856&start=540&end=885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3785133-40c19a84e1c901fb4938ce9468c1d856/thumbnail_540000.jpg","/articles/6202932/River-Falls/Pierce-County/Wisconsin/River-Falls-pushes-federal-bids-for-Main-Street-safety-transit-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202932-a85b2c9e62539c1cc931cf0f7ba7d760/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151571&Signature=DmzFNA~4hhbN~NRc8fnvrVNT1Z1h5ScO9fxQmeOen4l5kdqmTrMTYtd6vwxohHAxjFtZhHTqHkzvRKfe0G5toeyd-XhZrr0m1-tGvsG7WkXlvty0nU55tPbCUGyVdNGkl98d88W8llijzR3gusEMqP3iy7eX7sJLJ~vn4F31UbafwmM0nLn2nLlAkAcYVCC4uDDWGSHO4f68FA2umZC~d33Hu0AhxCcFLMmTJb-aMgDyNT2o0UnErJV3tQ7eafxh5HbwUOZbM8zQRWgNN7Qsn4YUKXzuuqQqFAlfvrvG9IUSWK2TQn~NUdVHctGOPwxYZZVARLUqUHC822Y2vKQ2Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","River Falls officials and consultants from Merchant McIntyre Associates told the City Council at a federal funding workshop that the city is pursuing competitive federal grants to fund Main Street redevelopment and roadway-safety measures, including applications to the Safe Streets and Roads for All program and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s BUILD program.

Consultant Tristan Southern of Merchant McIntyre said the city previously “was successful in pursuing $200,000 through the Action Plan Grant,” a step he said is required to be eligible for larger Safe Streets implementation awards.

The matter matters because Safe Streets implementation awards can provide significant sums for roadway-safety projects once an action plan is in place. Southern said implementation awards can range from about $2.5 million to $25 million and that River Falls’ earlier Action Plan grant “opened the doorway for us to look at other funding through the program.” He added that the city will submit a demonstration/supplemental planning application this month and could apply for implementation funding as early as spring 2026.

Southern outlined the application sequence: the city secured the Safe Streets Action Plan funding in December 2023, the City Council approved the grant agreement in August 2024, and the team plans to apply for the demonstration track and then the larger BUILD or Safe Streets implementation tracks. He said DOT engagement from Mayor Tolan’s and City Administrator Simpson’s March Washington visit informed the approach.

For the BUILD program (formerly RAISE), Merchant McIntyre described it as “DOT’s flagship, infrastructure program” that supports planning or implementation grants for transformative surface transportation projects. The consultants said they expect a likely solicitation release in November with a January due date and that BUILD applications require extensive supporting materials, including benefit-cost analyses.

Council members asked how award amounts are decided. Southern said Safe Streets implementation applications are evaluated against what was identified and costed in the action plan: “ultimately, DOT is going to be looking back at that action plan to say, was this identified as a safety priority through the planning process? How much did you say it was going to cost in the plan?”

Southern and city staff said the programs are highly competitive and that their strategy is to pursue multiple funding tracks to give River Falls more than one path to finance pieces of the Main Street project. City planning and DPW staff will meet with Merchant McIntyre to begin benefit-cost work and other application components.

The consultants asked for and received council agreement to continue community and state engagement as part of BUILD competitiveness; Merchant McIntyre said its team will begin more intensive application work with city staff immediately.","City consultants briefed the council on federal grant applications aimed at Main Street redevelopment and roadway safety, including Safe Streets and DOT BUILD funding, and outlined near-term steps for application development.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

River Falls wins $4M state library grant; multiple business and housing grants pending

River Falls reports $1.4M in federal fire-station funding; police communications money selected

River Falls seeks Corps funding after WRDA change to advance Kinney Corridor dam removals

River Falls pushes federal bids for Main Street safety, transit projects