MADISON — American Society of Civil Engineers Wisconsin Section spokesperson, Ken Mika, PE M.ASCE, issued the following statement today regarding the announcement of the state’s Public Service Commission broadband grants in Wisconsin totaling $125 million dollars, which he said will help address the state’s infrastructure challenges:

“The broadband grants announced by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission will benefit rural communities with increased access to higher speed internet service for years to come. The increased funds added to the state’s grant program were made possible by the Infrastructure and Jobs Act. Broadband internet is a crucial service for families across the state of Wisconsin, and a necessity when more people than ever are working from home. This historic funding will allow students in Wisconsin to do their homework at the kitchen table in areas where internet access was previously an expensive afterthought.”

The purpose of the Broadband Expansion Grant Program in Wisconsin is to encourage the deployment of advanced telecommunications capability, such as broadband in underserved areas of the state. The 2020 ASCE Wisconsin Section Report Card graded Wisconsin’s infrastructure with an overall “C” grade. The ASCE Wisconsin Section will be grading broadband in their 2024 report card.

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 150,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. ASCE works to raise awareness of the need to maintain and modernize the nation’s infrastructure using sustainable and resilient practices, advocates for increasing and optimizing investment in infrastructure, and improve engineering knowledge and competency.