Submitted by Joe Folsom, Executive Director, Pierce County Economic Development Corporation

RIVER FALLS, WI – I put this potentially valuable information together after attending the Powered by Electricity event put on by Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services and St. Croix Electric Cooperative (SCEC) at UWRF last month. I think it could be quite helpful for anyone in our rural business or ag producer communities. This could be some significant savings while helping to reduce your energy usage.

Rural small businesses and agricultural producers seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their business operations or implement renewable energy systems may be able to utilize one or more programs to offset much of their costs. USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program or REAP is a program that provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding for these businesses. Competitive grants range from $2,500- $1million for up to 50% of the cost for renewable energy systems, and from $1500- $1 million for up to 25% of cost energy efficiency grants.

Renewable energy system projects eligible for the 50% grant include but are not limited to solar, wind geothermal and biomass. Energy efficiency improvement projects for the 25% grant include but are not limited to insulation, high efficiency HVAC, lighting, and switching to more energy efficient processes.

Guaranteed loan requests are for similar eligible purposes and are limited to 75% of the project cost.

The program funded by the Inflation Reduction Act has four remaining application windows- December 31, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2024. Application information can be found on USDA Rural Development’s website at rd.usda.gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency-improvement-guaranteed-loans.

This program can be leveraged with other programs offered by Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy (focusonenergy.com ) PACE Wisconsin energy financing (pacewi.org ) and your local utility suppliers.

Submitted by Ryma Lindquist, WWH

BALDWIN, WI – The American Diabetes Association (ADA), the nation’s leading organization committed to fighting diabetes by driving discovery through research and innovation, intensifying the urgency around the diabetes epidemic, and supporting people living with and affected by diabetes. Has announced the recognition of the Western Wisconsin Health (WWH) Diabetes Self-Management Services (DSMES) through the Education Recognition Program (ERP). The DSMES service was originally recognized in September of 2023.

The ADA’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational services meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES). The DSMES Standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994, 2000, 2007, 2012 and 2017. The ERP promotes quality Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) for people with diabetes by certifying that services adhere to the National Standards for DSMES. Services certified by the ADA’s ERP program offer a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management. Services apply for recognition voluntarily, and ADA-ERP recognition lasts for four years.

“Daily self-management skills are absolutely essential for people to effectively navigate the 24/7 challenges of living with diabetes, helping to keep them healthy and prevent or delay the serious complications of diabetes,” said Linda Cann, MSEd, the ADA’s senior vice president of professional services. “We applaud the WWH Diabetes Self-Management Services for its commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based education and support for people with diabetes by meeting the National Standards for DSME/S and earning the ADA’s ERP recognition.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) 2017 National Diabetes Statistic Report there are 30.3 million people or 9.4% of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 23.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 7.2 million people are not aware that they have this disease. Each day, more than 4,110 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease, and amputation. Diabetes continues to be the seventh leading cause of death in the US—in 2015, it contributed to 252,806 deaths. The ADA’s Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017 confirms diabetes as the nation’s most expensive chronic health care condition at $327 billion.

Nearly half of American adults have diabetes or prediabetes; more than 30 million adults and children have diabetes; and every 21 seconds, another individual is diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The ADA drives discovery by funding research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and works to safeguard policies and programs that protect people with diabetes. In addition, the ADA supports people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes, and the health care professionals who serve them through information and programs that can improve health outcomes and quality of life.

For more information, please call the ADA at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).

Submitted by Brent Knegendorf, Village of Woodville

WOODVILLE, WI – If you’ve noticed new paint on the village garbage bins, credit is owed to a collaboration between the Village of Woodville, OEM Fabricators Inc., and Single Source (formerly Pro Paint).  Originally, built by OEM in 2008, the bins were showing the effects of time and use.

Brent Knegendorf, Public Works, Village of Woodville, worked with Christian Gausman, OEM and Barry Mahoney, Single Source of Baldwin, Wisconsin.  OEM Fabricators donated the painting cost and disassembly and assembly, and Single Source donated the paint needed for the project.

These solid construction, durable and distinctive public trash bins are ready to serve the citizens of the Village of Woodville easily for another 15 years. Thanks to all who participated in this public works project!

Submitted by Sgt. Patrick Kraetke, Wisconsin State Patrol, Northwest Region Eau Claire Post

WILSON, WI – At 5:38 p.m. on Monday, October 23, 2023, a crash occurred on I-94 WB at I-94 Westbound at mile marker 28 in St. Croix County near Wilson, Wisconsin.

The crash involved two fatalities and six injuries. Wisconsin State Patrol Troopers and Inspectors, St. Croix County Deputies, and multiple fire and EMS units responded to a seven-vehicle crash. There were two confirmed fatalities at the scene. The scene is currently active and under investigation. The Highway 128 overpass at that location is closed until the possibility of structural damage can be assessed.

This is Update #1 released on Tuesday, October 24, 2023: On the evening of Monday, October 23, westbound traffic on I-94 at MP 25.5 had significantly slowed due to congestion caused by a construction zone lane closure at that location.

A 2013 Volvo semi unit traveling at highway speed failed to identify the slowed traffic ahead of it and struck a Ford F150 and a Freightliner semi unit. This initial impact caused a chain reaction crash involving four additional vehicles. Multiple vehicles burst into flames after the impact including the two semi units listed above. One of the semi units burned under the State Highway 128 overpass which necessitated closure of State Highway 128 until the bridge could be assessed for structural integrity.

The operator of the striking semi and the Ford F150 were fatally injured in the crash. All other vehicle occupants which suffered injuries were treated and released. Names of those fatally injured are being withheld until family notifications can be made. I-94 westbound was closed until the overpass could be inspected and repairs to the roadway were completed, but the interstate has reopened now. State Highway 128 at I-94 is opening currently.

Assisting agencies included St. Croix County Sheriff, Baldwin Fire Department, Baldwin EMS, Spring Valley Fire Department, and Woodville Police Department.

This is all the information that will be released at this time. Due to the complexity of the crash and the on-going investigation, another update may be forthcoming.