MADISON, WI — Governor Tony Evers announces approximately $4.1 billion in recommended investments in his 2025-27 Capital Budget for the renovation and renewal of the state’s existing infrastructure and to support major projects in 26 counties across Wisconsin.
The governor’s recommended investments will help grow the economy by providing jobs and supporting businesses throughout the state. According to Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, for every $1 in construction spending, there is $1.76 of economic activity in Wisconsin. Additionally, for every $1 million of construction spending, nine jobs are supported in the state’s economy. As a result, it is estimated the governor’s proposed Capital Budget supports approximately $7.3 billion in economic activity and nearly 37,200 jobs across the state.
“These investments are critical to not only address our state’s aging infrastructure, but build for our state’s future — whether it’s at our UW System, supporting our veterans, protecting our valuable natural resources, or modernizing our correctional institutions to improve community safety across our state,” Evers said. “We can’t afford to kick the can down the road on key infrastructure projects across our state, most especially as the cost of building materials may only get more expensive with each day of delay due to potential tariff taxes and trade wars. We must take the important steps necessary to invest in building a 21st century infrastructure, workforce, and economy, and I am hopeful that these recommendations will receive bipartisan support to get these projects done that communities across our state are depending on.”
Evers’ Capital Budget prioritizes investments that address aging facilities, enhance safety, and prepare state-owned buildings for the future. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and functionality, the governor’s budget aims to modernize public spaces, elevate higher education facilities, and create infrastructure that supports Wisconsin’s growing communities and evolving needs.
The announcement represents one of the strongest investments to date for Wisconsin’s facility infrastructure and significant planning funds to prepare important construction projects for future enumerations. The governor’s proposal also includes one of the highest investments in the All Agency program in state history, helping to extend the useful life of critical state-owned and university buildings, improve safety and reliability, and decrease operating costs, saving Wisconsin taxpayers money in the long term.
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Wisconsin also faces a deferred maintenance backlog that has skyrocketed past $13 billion, with $3.4 billion in critical needs that demand immediate attention to prevent system failures, safety hazards, and costly emergency breakdowns. Neglecting these urgent repairs would accelerate deterioration, putting essential public facilities and the communities they serve at risk. By tackling these issues head-on, Wisconsin can modernize aging infrastructure, extend the life of critical assets, and avoid disruptive and expensive crises down the road.
Highlights of Evers’ 2025-27 Capital Budget recommendations include:
- A commitment of $325 million for the realignment of correctional institutions in support of Evers’ Comprehensive Corrections Reform Plan.
- Supporting reforms to the juvenile justice system through continued investments in correctional facilities to further work toward closing Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools as juvenile facilities.
- An investment of nearly $1.6 billion in capital improvement projects across the University of Wisconsin (UW) System.
- Protecting Wisconsin’s natural resources and enhancing visitor experiences through strategic investments in state parks and forests, critical bridge replacements, trail upgrades, and upgrades to fire response ranger stations.
- Honoring veterans with more than $137 million in essential upgrades to Wisconsin veterans homes and setting the stage for the future Wisconsin Veterans Museum upgrade and expansion with dedicated planning funds.
- An over $40 million investment to restore and modernize components of Wisconsin’s State Capitol.
- A commitment of over $195 million to strengthen health services facilities statewide.
- Advancing clean energy solutions with a $25 million investment for renewable energy construction projects at state facilities.
- Laying the groundwork for future investments by allocating nearly $50 million for preliminary planning and design of upcoming major projects across Wisconsin.
- Tackling Wisconsin’s $13.1 billion deferred maintenance backlog with a more than $1.2 billion investment in the All Agency program and an over $406 million investment in the Minor Facilities Renewal programs.
- Investing funds for preliminary planning, design, and sitework at the Milwaukee County Courthouse Complex.
- Supporting local community projects by recommending four projects for inclusion in the Operating Budget as part of the Grants for Local Projects program.
