$12M USDA grant awarded to help Milwaukee neighborhoods get greener

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A $12 million federal grant will help the city of Milwaukee get greener. 

The "Growing Milwaukee's Tree Canopy and Community Resilience" project is a group effort between the city, county, public schools and metro sewerage district. 

On Monday, Oct. 9, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, County Executive David Crowley, and other city officials gathered at Lynden Hill to mark the win for the collaboration. 

Main priorities include tree planting and maintenance, removing pavement at schools and businesses, and hiring more urban forestry workers. 

Much of the work will happen in areas in the city's more disadvantaged neighborhoods.

"It is through this work that we will work towards advancing not only health equity, but also racial equity, making Milwaukee County the healthiest county in the state of Wisconsin by making sure that we continue to invest in communities and bridging the gap that has long divided us," said Crowley. 

The grant is coming from the USDA's Urban and Community Forestry Program which gives grants to help communities combat extreme heat and improve access to nature.