President Joe Biden is set to fulfill his commitment to enhancing rural electrification and infrastructure in southwest Wisconsin. The President will be in Westby to unveil a $7.3 billion investment in 16 cooperatives spanning 23 states, aimed at providing electricity to rural areas and improving internet connectivity.
The funding for this initiative stems from the Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act, a legislation signed into law in August 2022. This act, passed along party lines in Congress, allocates approximately $13 billion to various rural electrification programs. The White House estimates that this investment will generate 4,500 permanent jobs and 16,000 construction jobs.
This endeavor is being hailed as the most substantial investment in rural electrification since the New Deal of the 1930s. The administration's goal is to reduce the cost of internet services in remote regions that have struggled with connectivity issues.
Wisconsin holds significant importance in the upcoming presidential election, with Democrats viewing it as a crucial state to secure. President Biden's visit to Westby follows his victory in Wisconsin by a narrow margin of about 20,000 votes in the 2020 election, marking a shift towards the Democratic party.
During his earlier visit to Wisconsin, President Biden emphasized the necessity of improved internet access in rural areas, likening it to essential utilities like water and electricity. The current investment aims to fulfill this promise and make internet services more affordable for all residents.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian highlighted the President's commitment to delivering on his pledges, stating that the upcoming announcement will mark significant progress towards fulfilling his infrastructure promises.
