Gov. Walker approves over $3.1M in grants to connect workers to jobs

MADISON -- Governor Scott Walker on Wednesday, December 12th approved grants totaling $3,145,967 for projects that will help to connect low income workers with jobs through enhanced local transit services.

The Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program (WETAP) combines federal, state and local funds to assist transportation-provider groups in all parts of the state. 

"These grants help communities provide essential transportation services to benefit their local workforce. Everyone in Wisconsin should have the means to get to and from work," Gov. Walker said. 

Enhanced transit services, made possible through WETAP, include additional bus routes; vanpool and shuttle services; vehicle loan and vehicle repair programs; and the hiring of local mobility managers, who coordinate transportation services for area workers and employers.

WETAP integrates local, state and federal funding sources into a single, coordinated program and award process administered the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. WETAP combines funds from the federal Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program, along with the state Transportation Employment and Mobility (TEAM) program.

For calendar year 2013, the federal and state investment totals more than $3.1 million, with the local funding share totaling more than $2.5 million.