Dept. of Commerce: Gov. Doyle Announces Planning Grant in Door County

Contact:
Tony Hozeny, 608/267-9661

MADISON – Gov. Jim Doyle today announced that Door County will receive a $75,000 Community Development Block Grant Public Planning Grant from the Department of Commerce (Commerce) for creating a plan for countywide enhanced telecommunications system.

“My Grow Wisconsin initiative calls for promoting broadband development,” said Gov. Doyle. “Wisconsin residents need equal access to advanced telecommunications services whether they are out on Washington Island or in downtown Sturgeon Bay. I am pleased that Door County is creating a plan for a countywide telecommunications system.”

The countywide plan will investigate the feasibility of a countywide “Fiber to the Home” telecommunications system. The plan will investigate upgrading to a Gigabyte capacity from the current megabyte capacity. Door County is also looking into to using one subscription for television, telephone, and Internet services. The Door County Economic Development Corporation will be implementing the study. The total project cost is $456,000.

Commerce has administered the federally funded CDBG since 1982. These grants play an important role in helping communities finance a wide range of projects designed to enhance the economic vitality of the community through the expansion of the tax base, job creation, and increased private investment in downtowns. Grants are awarded to projects that will primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents or eliminate slum and blight. For further information on the CDBG Program contact James Frymark, Commerce, at 608/266-2742.