WCMA Praises Nearly $50 Million Investment in Roads Critical to Wisconsin Dairy

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today applauded the award of $49.9 million through the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP), a program within the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, supporting 29 critical infrastructure projects across the state. This third round of funding includes 20 projects that directly benefit Wisconsin’s dairy industry, underscoring the program’s essential role in maintaining the state’s agricultural strength.

“These investments are not optional – they are essential,” said WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney. “Wisconsin’s dairy industry depends on safe, reliable roads to move milk efficiently, deliver finished products, and keep our food supply chain strong. ARIP is a proven, high-impact program, and continued investment is critical to meeting the needs of our farmers, processors, and rural communities.”

WCMA thanks Governor Tony Evers, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and bipartisan legislative leaders – especially Representative Travis Tranel and Senator Howard Marklein - for advancing this latest round of funding and recognizing the importance of agricultural infrastructure.

Dairy processors benefiting from this round of ARIP awards include BelGioioso Cheese, Cedar Grove Cheese, Eau Galle Cheese, Foremost Farms USA, Nasonville Dairy, Prairie Farms Dairy, Renard’s Cheese, Saputo Cheese, and V&V Supremo Foods.

Since its launch in 2023, ARIP has delivered critical infrastructure improvements across Wisconsin, with demand far outpacing available funding. In this latest round alone, 122 applications were submitted by local governments in partnership with agricultural businesses. Across prior funding cycles, $111.4 million in grants supported projects benefiting dairy farmers and processors, with approximately three-quarters of all ARIP funding strengthening dairy-related infrastructure.

Building on this success, WCMA strongly advocated for continued investment in the 2025–2027 State Budget, which secured an additional $150 million for ARIP. However, ongoing demand demonstrates that sustained, long-term funding will be necessary to keep pace with infrastructure needs and ensure Wisconsin agriculture remains competitive.

“ARIP is delivering real results for Wisconsin agriculture and rural communities,” Sweeney added. “We urge continued bipartisan support to expand and sustain this program so it can meet the full scope of need across our state.”

Dairy processors can visit WisCheeseMakers.org/Grants for more information on ARIP and other funding opportunities.