Gov. Tony Evers has allocated nearly $4 million in grants for upgrades to Milwaukee County's Clinton & Bernice Rose Senior Center, courtesy of the American Rescue Plan Act. The funds, distributed by the Wisconsin Department of Administration, aim to modernize facilities essential to the community's elderly, providing services to over 700 individuals, particularly those from minority groups, and serving those facing economic hardships and health concerns.
The $3,967,737 investment will enhance the center with the addition of a telemedicine room, a multifunctional space and a computer lab boasting 12 desktop computers. These improvements are not just expansions of physical space, but broadening gateways to educational, vocational, and nutritional literacy, directly countering the technology divide felt by residents. "We are incredibly grateful to Governor Evers and the Biden-Harris Administration for delivering federal funding for these much-needed capital improvements at Clinton Rose Senior Center," said County Executive David Crowley, recognizing the infusion as an antidote to the barriers barring older adults from quality daily life, in a statement obtained by Milwaukee County's official site.
Evers outlined the broader ambition to construct a 21st-century infrastructure and workforce, emphasizing that no Wisconsinite should be left behind in the digital age. "Every Wisconsinite should have access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet, and these investments will help build upon our work to close the digital divide, especially in our rural areas and communities," he explained, according to the press release. The senior population is growing in Milwaukee County, now numbering over 185,000, amplifying the need for such initiatives that link seniors with critical support services.
Shakita LaGrant-McClain, the Executive Director of the Department of Health and Human Services called attention to the commitment to understanding, and providing for the older adult populace. She highlighted the importance of thoughtful community spaces equipped with the right tools for an enhanced collective quality of life. According to the county announcement, LaGrant-McClain said, "This new funding will help us make important quality of life improvements." Amid the collective enthusiasm, Dr. Janice Wilberg, Chair of the Milwaukee County Commission on Aging also weighed in, commending the stride towards reimagining spaces that cater to active seniors.
The capital injection is part of a wider federal initiative under the U.S. Department of Treasury's Capital Projects Fund, set to deliver reliable broadband to local communities. This venture, woven into the fabric of the Biden-Harris Administration's American Rescue Plan Act, seeks to rejuvenate public infrastructure, including libraries, community centers, and extending to multipurpose communal environments.
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