‘Bridging Wisconsin’s digital divide’: New or improved high-speed internet for more than 410,000 homes, companies step in

MADISON — More than 410,000 homes and businesses in the state will have high-speed internet thanks to a grant from American Rescue, Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) announced in a March 11 press release. announced that it would be possible to expand access to Planning Act (ARPA).

ARPA’s donations amount to $43.2 million, which will go to approximately 16,000 homes and businesses. Since 2019, Evers’ governance has now overseen PSC Award grants that have helped more than 410,000 locations receive improved broadband service, according to a press release.

Governor Evers expressed the importance of high-speed internet in a press release.

“In this day and age, that means helping people log on to work, go to school, buy groceries, order prescriptions, see doctors, connect with friends and loved ones, and much more. I do,” Evers said. “We must remain steadfast in our efforts to expand access to affordable, high-speed internet across our state and fully close the digital divide that holds back families and communities.”

These efforts to increase access to high-speed internet are part of the PSC’s Broadband Grant Program, which began in 2014. The Capital Projects Fund Broadband Infrastructure Program is one within the PSC’s program system.

“In November 2023, Governor Evers and the PSC announced that 124 applications have been submitted requesting $221.6 million for the Capital Projects Fund Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program. “This shows strong demand,” the press release said.

PSC President Summer Strand praised the recent grant awards in a press release.

“I am proud of the Commission’s commitment to directing funding from the Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program to communities that have long struggled with inadequate internet service and those most impacted by the pandemic,” Strand said. . “Thanks to Governor Evers’ investment, more homes and businesses can now connect to reliable, high-speed internet.”

Evers Administration Leads the Path to Digital Equity

Since 2019, more than $345 million in state and federal funding has been allocated to provide high-speed internet to Wisconsin residents, according to a press release. This makes Governor Evers’ administration the best in the state in this area.

“In his latest budget, the Governor recommended allocating $750 million in state funding for broadband expansion to supplement federal funding allocated to the state over the next several years,” the press release states. .

Evers’ efforts to expand broadband go beyond state and federal investments. The press release also provides a brief timeline of the governor’s additional efforts to achieve equitable internet access.

• 2020: “Governor. Mr. Evers has established the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access to advise the Governor and the Legislature on broadband measures, policies, and strategies to successfully expand high-speed internet in Wisconsin.”
• 2021: “Governor. Governor Evers declared this year the Year of Broadband Access, and in that year, Governor Evers directed $100 million in federal funds toward broadband expansion, the largest single round of broadband investment in state history. ”
• 2023: “Governor. Evers, in partnership with the PSC and the Department of Public Instruction, also announced the launch of the Internet Discount Finder website to help Wisconsin households find and access affordable internet.”

Biden’s ‘Internet for All’ initiative aligns with Evers’ goals

President Biden’s initiative “Internet for All” is part of his plan to invest in America. A March 8 press release explains that this agenda will establish his three grant programs to advance digital equity and inclusion.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) accepted Wisconsin’s digital equity plan on March 8th.

Last year, PSC conducted a statewide listening tour in service of Internet for All. This helped inform the creation of Wisconsin’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) and Digital Equity Program. According to a March 11 press release, the PSC plans to begin implementing these programs this year.

Learn more about the US Digital Equity Plan here.

Click here for a list of recent grant recipients in Wisconsin.