Rural Reporter
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Report: Wisconsin Municipalities Depend Most on Property Taxes
Cities and villages in Wisconsin rely more heavily on property taxes than any other state in the Midwest, and to a greater degree than most states nationally, according to a new report by the nonpartisan, independent Wisconsin Policy Forum.
The report, “Dollars and Sense: Is it time for a new municipal financing framework in Wisconsin?” finds that in a region of twelve Midwestern states, Wisconsin is the only state in which municipalities generally are authorized to levy only the property tax, and is the only state in which property taxes represent the largest share of municipal revenue. Read the full report here, executive summary here, or view the interactive data here. (Source and Image: Wisconsin Policy Forum) -
New Report Examines Medicaid Expansion Across States
A new study that compares private sector health insurance costs and emergency room visits in states that expanded Medicaid eligibility and those that did not concludes that Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin would cost taxpayers an annual $600 million, increase private healthcare costs as providers seek to make up for low Medicaid rates, and see an increase in emergency room visits.
The study, titled The Impact of Medicaid Expansion: Examining the cost to consumers and the net impact on Wisconsin, comes from the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty and the Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy (CROWE) at the University of Wisconsin. Evers has said he plans to include Medicaid expansion in his budget proposal, which will be announced at the end of this month.
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Do Hospital Closures Affect Patient Time in an Ambulance?
When a hospital closes in a community, patients needing emergency care may spend more time in an ambulance to receive care in an emergency department. A study at the University of Kentucky examined how a hospital closure affects patient transport time in both rural and urban areas.
The study found that for rural calls, the mean transport time prior to a hospital closure was about 14 minutes, and increased to about 25 minutes after a hospital closed. In urban areas, the report found there was no change in transport times after a hospital had closed. (Source and Image: University of Kentucky's Rural and Underserved Health Research Center; Image describes hospital closures, with rural closures shown as diamonds) -
The Sustainability of Rural Hospitals
A new report from Navigant, a management consulting company based in Chicago, finds that hospitals across the nation are at high financial risk of closing unless their financial situations improve. Thirty four states have what the report considers five or more rural hospitals at high financial risk, including Wisconsin. Several factors cited for the problem include a 'degradation' of the payer mix, declining inpatient care, and inability to leverage innovation.
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State Lawmakers Propose Tax Break For Caregivers
A bipartisan group of state lawmakers is introducing a plan that would give family members a tax break to offset the out-of-pocket costs of caregiving. The tax credit would cover various expenses, including home improvements needed for mobility or safety, legal or financial services or a personal-care attendant, reports Wisconsin Public Radio. Governor Tony Evers also announced this week that he has commissioned a task force to examine the issue. (Photo: skeeze, Pixabay)
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Compeer Financial’s Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program (Deadline: 08/31/2019)Compeer Financial’s Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program supports rural communities in their service area by funding emergency response equipment for volunteer fire, rescue and ambulance departments. Funding is available up to $3,000 for emergency response equipment. The application period is August 1 through 31. Funding »
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Walmart Community Grant Program (Deadline: 12/31/2019)The Walmart Foundation is accepting applications through its Community Grant Program. They will award grants up to $5,000 to support local nonprofit organizations within the service area of individual Walmart stores in the areas of hunger relief and healthy eating, medical screening, treatment, social services, and public safety equipment, among other topics. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until December 31. Funding »
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Alliant Energy’s Hometown Challenge Grant (Deadline: 09/01/2019)Alliant Energy’s Hometown Challenge Grant awards matching grants up to $2,000 for one-time, safety-related purchases for communities served by Alliant. Eligible purchases include equipment and tools for first responders, including EMS, such as Jaws of Life and PPE. This opportunity is offered several times throughout the year. Funding »
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Mary Kay Foundation Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Program (Deadline: 04/30/2019)The Mary Kay Foundation awards grants to emergency women's domestic violence shelters. The funds may be used for the operating expenses. The Foundation will award a grant to at least one shelter in every state that applies, and many grants have gone to rural areas. Funding »
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Funding for Rural Water and Waste Disposal Projects (Ongoing) (Deadline: 04/30/2019)This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects. Most state and local governmental entities, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes may apply. Applications for this program are accepted year round through Wisconsin's Rural Development office. Email inquiries to RD.BCP.SO@wi.usda.gov. Funding »
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Alliant Energy Partnership Programs (Deadline: 09/30/2019)Alliant Energy Partnership Programs award funding to communities in Iowa and Wisconsin in certain priority areas, which include professional development, workforce development, community development, and retention marketing and recruitment. Applicants must be located in or provide services to populations in Alliant Energy's service area. Funding »
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Discount: Rural Health Coding & Billing Specialist Online Course (Deadline: 03/31/2019)The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health and the Association for Rural Health Professional Coding (ARHPC) will offer a $200 discount on a new online self-study course for rural healthcare professionals to attain certification as a Rural Coding & Billing Specialist. With the discount the course is $699. There is no deadline for this opportunity.
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Partnership Programs – Alliant Energy (Deadline: 09/30/2019)The Programs include: Professional development; Workforce development; Retention, marketing and recruitment; Building and site development; Community development. Applications accepted on a yearly basis. Funding »
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Smart Rural Community Showcase Awards - NTCA (Deadline: 06/01/2019)These annual awards are presented to NTCA members to recognize their extraordinary achievements in promoting rural broadband networks and their broadband-enabled applications in rural communities. Telcos are awarded based on their ability to demonstrate the use of these technologies through innovative economic development, education, health care, government services, safety and security, and more efficient energy distribution and use. Check website for exact application deadline. Funding »
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Workplace Wellness Grant Program – Wisconsin DHS (Deadline: 12/31/2019)Wisconsin Act 137 was enacted to provide grants to small businesses with 50 or fewer employees who create workplace wellness programs. A work place can only apply once for a grant which will provide 30% of wellness program costs for one year, up to $15,000. Grants may be awarded for expenses in the following categories: personnel/staff time, health risk assessment, education programs, behavior change programs, equipment, incentives (cash, prizes, etc.), and contracted services. Funding »
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ecoSTEM Resource Kits - Captain Planet Foundation (Deadline: 07/15/2019)Captain Planet Foundation has supported over 2,500 projects around the world has reviewed thousands more project proposals. Over the years, specific types of environmental stewardship projects that teachers and kids are interested in emerge again and again. Captain Planet Foundation has developed four ecoSTEM Resource Kits, which are perfect for educators getting started with project-based learning. A limited number of ecoSTEM Kits are granted out during each grant cycle, due January 15th and July 15th each year. Funding »
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ecoSTEM Resource Kits - Captain Planet Foundation (Deadline: 01/15/2020)Captain Planet Foundation has supported over 2,500 projects around the world has reviewed thousands more project proposals. Over the years, specific types of environmental stewardship projects that teachers and kids are interested in emerge again and again. Captain Planet Foundation has developed four ecoSTEM Resource Kits, which are perfect for educators getting started with project-based learning. A limited number of ecoSTEM Kits are granted out during each grant cycle, due January 15th and July 15th each year. Funding »
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Stand Down Grants – DOL, Veterans Employment and Training Service (Deadline: 12/31/2020)Awards will help fund events that offer homeless veteran populations a variety of social services designed to help them to reintegrate into their communities, such as housing, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Funding »
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Rural Health Awards – National Rural Health Association (Deadline: 02/18/2019)Each year NRHA honors outstanding individuals and organizations in the field of rural health who have dedicated their time and talents to improving the health and well-being of others. Consider nominating your favorite rural health individual, program or organization so that they may be honored nationally for their contributions to rural health. Funding »
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Emergency Response Equipment Grant - Compeer Financial (Deadline: 08/31/2019)Emergency response departments in rural areas are struggling on shoestring budgets, and many lack adequate and up-to-date equipment. Even though many of these departments have the essentials, they can't always afford new technologies to upgrade or replace old equipment. The mission is to support rural communities in our service area by funding emergency response equipment for volunteer fire, rescue or ambulance departments. Applications are accepted on an annual basis. Funding »
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Building Resilience in Indigenous Communities Initiative - Honor the Earth (Deadline: 12/31/2020)Funding will help grassroots Indigenous organizations focused on creating food security utilizing Indigenous varieties and organic production as well as Indigenous groups and projects implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies at an appropriate scale to support dignity in the community. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Funding »
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Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., MD Young Physician Award - Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Deadline: 11/01/2019)The Award honors a young physician who is an active volunteer at local, state and national levels, a commitment to patients, community and the profession of medicine. Funding »
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Local Action Grants - Emergency Medicine Residents' Association (Deadline: 01/15/2020)Funding helps to promote the involvement of EM physicians-in-training in activities which support Emergency Medicine through community outreach and other community-driving events. Applications are accepted on an annual basis. Funding »
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Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance Scholarship (Deadline: 02/15/2020)The Scholarship is in recognition of the tremendous efforts put forth by the Wisconsin’s rural schools to provide their students with quality education in an ever-changing environment. A written essay is required by the high school senior for the application that expands on the following information: the benefits of attending a rural school; your college and career goals; the value of growing up in a rural community; and what personal values you have gained from your experience. Applications are accepted on a yearly basis. Funding »
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U.S. Tobacco Control Policies to Reduce Health Disparities (R01) – HHS, National Institutes of Health (Deadline: 06/15/2020)The purpose is to support observational or intervention research focused on reducing health disparities in tobacco use in the United States. Specifically, it is intended to stimulate scientific inquiry focused on innovative tobacco control policies. The first cycle of applications will be accepted from September 11 – October 11, 2017. There will be two application cycles in June and October of each year, with the last cycle ending in June 2020. Funding »