Contact: Matt Sweeney, 608-266-9600
matthew2.sweeney@wisconsin.gov
Increase makes the current grant round the largest in state history
MADISON — Governor Tony Evers and Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC or Commission) Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq announced today that additional funding would be available for the current round of the State Broadband Expansion Grants. This brings the total available funds to $125 million– $25 million more than what was announced in November. The funding for the grants comes from the 2021-23 Biennial Budget signed by Governor Evers in July, which will be used to expand high-speed broadband internet to unserved or underserved areas of the state.
“I promised to work to ensure every Wisconsinite had access to high-quality, high-speed internet, and our State Broadband Expansion Grant Program is one of the fastest and most efficient ways we have to do just that,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m proud our work over the last three years is helping provide more than 300,000 homes and business with reliable, high-quality internet, and the funding for this grant round will help us build on that good work so that students, workers, business owners, families, and communities can access the internet in every part of our state.”
In March, the PSC received 194 applications requesting more than $495 million in grant funding from the state’s Broadband Expansion Grant Program. The Commission is expected to make grant decisions in the coming weeks.
“I thank Governor Evers for his continued investment in closing the digital divide and connecting hundreds of thousands of our fellow Wisconsinites to needed infrastructure,” said PSC Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq. “Over the past four years, the historic investments made in broadband have allowed communities across the state to realize the societal, educational, and economic benefits of high-speed internet.”
Since 2019, state and federal funds allocated under Governor Evers for broadband grants have provided or will provide more than 300,000 homes and businesses access to new or improved services.
A list of 2022 Broadband Expansion Grant Program applicants is available here.A map of 2022 Broadband Expansion Grant Program applications is available here.
A list of previously funded broadband expansion grant projects and more information about the Broadband Expansion Grant Program can be found here.
