The Rhinelander city council has approved applying for a key component of the downtown redevelopment project.
The city will apply for a $500,000 grant from the state to help pay for the project. If all goes as planned, it could start next year.
Public Works Director Tim Kingman outlined the funding to date for the below ground aspect of the upgrade...
"....we have a $5.136 million dollar project. Of which we have $3.2 million in secured finance from Rural Development..."
If the city gets the $500,000 grant through the C.D.B.G. program, it would provide another funding leg toward reworking most of the downtown streets. The city would provide $1.3 million dollars. Kingman indicated a local financial institution could make that much money available via a loan to fund the city's portion, if necessary.
The council unanimously approved applying for the grant. They will know by August if they are successful.
