FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 25, 2024
Contact: Jodie Thistle, DNR Brownfields, Outreach & Policy Section Manager [email protected] or 608-259-6557

DNR Awards Brownfield Grant To
The City Of Wisconsin Rapids

Funding Will Support Site Assessment Activities

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that the city of Wisconsin Rapids was awarded brownfield assessment services to assist with the investigation of potential environmental contamination at the site of a former foundry.

The award is from the DNR's Wisconsin Assessment Monies program, which provides contractor services for the environmental assessment of eligible brownfield properties. A brownfield is a property where expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by real or potential contamination. Brownfields vary in size, location, age and past use.

Wood County acquired the 1.69-acre former foundry in 2023 through tax foreclosure. The property, located on 9^th Avenue in Wisconsin Rapids, is currently vacant. The city of Wisconsin Rapids is interested in redeveloping the site in the future, but the unknown environmental conditions of the property limit reuse options. The city sought assistance from the DNR to learn more about the potential contamination and redevelopment options on the property. 

“Conducting an environmental assessment will help answer questions about the property’s historical uses and whether contamination is present that needs to be remedied,” said Jodie Thistle, DNR Brownfields, Outreach and Policy section manager. “The DNR applauds the city’s decision to apply for the award and looks forward to assisting in its efforts to put the property back into productive use.”

A foundry began operating on the property in 1946, and it remained in use until Northern Steel Casting, Inc. closed in 2017. Other historical operations on the property included automotive repair. The site has remained idle since 2017.

Since 2009, the DNR's Wisconsin Assessment Monies program has provided nearly $3.3 million to 70 communities, partnering to help clean up and redevelop often run-down or underused properties that detract from a community's potential. Because no local financial match is required, these grants present an attractive opportunity for communities to learn about environmental conditions. Applications for assistance may be submitted to the DNR at any time.

The DNR offers a wide range of financial and liability tools to help local governments, businesses, lenders and others clean up and redevelop brownfields in Wisconsin. These include Ready for Reuse financial awards, which may be used for environmental cleanup. DNR staff around the state are available to meet with community leaders, bankers, developers and individuals to discuss brownfield projects through Green Team meetings.

More information about the DNR’s brownfield cleanup programs and services is available on the DNR’s Brownfields website.