‘A problem for us all to work on’: Lack of infrastructure a major hurdle in Oneida County housing developments

(WXPR) - The Oneida County Economic Development Corporation Executive Directors says he has developers that would be breaking ground if not for one major hurdle.

Much of the county lacks the needed infrastructure for more housing and the cost to put it in would make the housing unaffordable for many.

Available lots with water, sewer, streets, and other utilities already in place are in short supply in Oneida County, especially in the Rhinelander area.

Putting those in can cost anywhere from $850 to $1,000 a square foot.

Oneida County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Tony Pharo says if a developer was to take on those costs, it would price out buyers before they even build the house...

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Leo's notes: A community may have willing developers, available land, and strong demand, but without the infrastructure to serve new homes, construction simply cannot begin.This growing recognition represents an important shift in the workforce housing conversation. Infrastructure should no longer be viewed as a separate public works issue—it is a housing strategy.