Wired Wisconsin: Calls for approval of broadband funding

Contact: Thad Nation

414.412.7814

Governor Doyle requests $23 million in stimulus dollars for broadband in WI

MILWAUKEE— Wired Wisconsin is calling on the Joint Finance Committee to approve Governor Doyle’s request to spend nearly $23 million in recovery act funds to expand broadband to 467 state schools and libraries in nearly 380 communities.

Governor Doyle asked Monday for the Legislature’s budget committee to approve the plan, which would add fiber optic connections at schools in 70 districts and libraries in 380 communities by the end of 2010 and 2011, respectively. In order to accept the federal funding, the State would need to provide $5.7 million in matching funds through the Technology for Educational Achievement (TEACH) program.

“This plan is a big step toward ensuring that every Wisconsin resident has access to broadband Internet,” said Thad Nation, Executive Director of Wired Wisconsin. “The is one of the best ways to foster economic development, support additional educational opportunities, and increase connections between citizens across the state, and we encourage the Joint Finance Committee to approve this crucial funding.”

Because of the proximity to the new broadband deployment, the funding will also help businesses, law enforcement agencies and other organizations across the state. It will also ensure that Wisconsin can meet the need for additional bandwidth and that every citizen has equal access to the Internet, “regardless of demographics, geography of economic status,” according to the governor.

Implementation of the plan is expected to employ more than 300 people during the construction process, and the broadband expansion will reach out to within three miles of over 390 law enforcement agencies, nearly 300 fire departments and 119 hospitals. Broadband access should also be improved for 91,000 businesses as a direct result of the investment.