Gov. Tony Evers announced that the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin will launch a round of broadband expansion funding in two weeks with $100 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. This is the initial batch of federal funds to be dedicated to expanding high-speed broadband Internet across the state. Funding will be awarded by the PSC based on a model similar to the successful Broadband Expansion Grant Program.
"I declared 2021 the Year of Broadband Access because everyone in this state should have access to reliable Internet service," Evers said. "I'm glad to be able to direct this funding to the PSC so the folks in need of high-speed internet can get connected as quickly as possible. I also urge our state legislature to pass our Badger Bounceback agenda to allocate an additional nearly $200 million for broadband access and provide financial assistance to low-income households struggling with their internet bills."
Under U.S. Treasury guidance for the ARPA funds, eligible broadband projects are expected to serve unserved or underserved households and businesses, be designed to deliver upon project completion Internet service that reliably meets or exceeds upload and download speeds of 100 Mbps or at least 100 Mbps download and at least 20 Mbps upload if it not practicable to deliver the higher upload speeds due to geography, topography, or excessive costs, and prioritize projects that deliver a physical broadband connection that achieve the last mile connection.
The grant program helps providers find a path to return on investment in areas of the state that are challenging to serve due to population density or geography.
The PSC will make applications available, including information on project eligibility guidelines, for this first round of federal broadband funding on June 1 with applications due on July 27.
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy