New deal shows collaboration works

It didn’t necessarily get a lot of attention, and it isn’t the kind of thing that gets people all that excited. It certainly isn’t sexy. But the importance of a new agreement between La Crosse and Onalaska can’t be overstated. The two cities signed a historic agreement this month on a new sewer service agreement after years of failed negotiations. This makes sense. La Crosse’s wastewater treatment plant has the capacity to handle Onalaska’s waste, but is in need of improvements. By signing this document, Onalaska does not have to bear the expense of building its own facility and La Crosse doesn’t have to go it alone in paying for the improvements. The plant is in the midst of a $68 million upgrade which will allow the city to meet new state standards, while also benefiting the environment by converting some of the waste into renewable energy. This agreement came after years of often bitter negotiations, but in the end, both cities realized the benefits of collaborating on this project. The deal benefits taxpayers in both cities. It is good this agreement has been reached. Let’s hope it is just the first of many other ways La Crosse and its neighbors can work together to benefit the entire Coulee Region.