For the Tomahawk Leader
TOMAHAWK – Tomahawk Area Interfaith Volunteers (TAIV) and more than 40 other organizations that provide transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities in rural areas of Wisconsin will receive state and federal grant funding in 2023.
TAIV, which serves Lincoln, Oneida and Price counties, provides non-medical, non-professional volunteer assistance to seniors or the disabled of any age.
Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced on Tuesday, Dec. 27 that just over $5 million will be allocated among 44 agencies as part of the 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program, which awards grants to local public bodies and private, non-profit agencies.
“Since it began in the 1970s, the program has helped fund the purchase of more than 2,200 vehicles in Wisconsin,” the release stated. “The funding also supports agencies’ mobility management and operating assistance.”
TAIV is slated to receive $22,903.00 in Operating Assistance funding for a Volunteer Driver, according to WisDOT.
Under federal transportation law, the cities of Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton and Green Bay administer the federal 5310 Program for their geographic areas. They coordinate with WisDOT to ensure the continuity of the application and project selection process, according to the release.
“Whether it’s getting to and from work, seeing family and loved ones or visiting the doctor, every Wisconsinite – regardless of their age, ability, or ZIP code – should have access to reliable, affordable transportation,” Evers stated. “For folks in our rural communities, we know that providing and having access to these essential services can often be a challenge. These grants will strengthen Wisconsin’s network of support, and we are grateful for the additional boost provided by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
“Thank you to all the agencies across the state who are working with us to improve our transportation services for seniors and those with disabilities,” said WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson. “Good transportation infrastructure means everyone has opportunities for mobility.”
Enacted on Nov. 15, 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provided WisDOT with an increase of funds for the 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program for five years beginning in 2023.
A complete list of grant recipients can be found on the WisDOT Specialized Transportation website at www.bit.ly/3VvdT94.