Wired Wisconsin: Statement on broadband funding approval

Contact: Thad Nation, 414.412.7814

MILWAUKEE — Thad Nation, Executive Director of Wired Wisconsin, issued this statement today following the news that the Joint Finance Committee in the Wisconsin State Legislature had approved spending nearly $23 million in federal recovery act funds to expand broadband access in Wisconsin:

“This is great news for Wisconsin residents across the state.

“This funding will help provide high-speed broadband Internet access to hundreds of school and libraries in districts across the state, and get us one step closer to ensuring every state resident has access to a broadband connection. By laying the infrastructure necessary to bring fiber optic connections to these communities, the state has made it easier for other companies and facilities to further expand access to surrounding areas.

“And to top it all off, this infrastructure project is expected to employ more than 300 people during the construction process.

“I applaud the members of the Joint Finance Committee and Governor Doyle for taking swift action to make this project a reality.”