The state Public Service Commission of Wisconsin received 194 applications requesting more than $495 million for the state’s Broadband Expansion Grant Program.
The PSC is expected to award $100 million for broadband expansion by this summer.
Funding for the grants was provided by the 2021-23 state budget, which provided $129 million over the budget cycle for expanding high-speed broadband internet. PSC is expected to award up to $100 million for grants in summer 2022 as part of the first round of funding. The remaining funds will be allocated for future broadband expansion grant opportunities.
The Broadband Expansion Grant Program helps find a path to return on investment in areas of the state that are challenging to serve due to population density. Since 2019 the state has awarded $164 million to 262 projects to expand broadband statewide. As a result, more than 300,000 homes and businesses will be connected to high-speed internet following the completion of all previously funded projects.
“Wisconsin has made a lot of progress helping our communities access high-speed internet; however, hundreds of thousands of our fellow Wisconsinites still lack the infrastructure needed to conduct their everyday business,” said PSC Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq. “Each grant round, we get closer to 100 percent broadband connectivity, and I am grateful that Gov. Evers continues to invest historic funding to make our goal obtainable.”
The PSC’s State Broadband Office made the first round of grant applications available Dec. 1 and were due March 17. PSC will evaluate each grant based on the matching funds, public-private partnerships, economic development, scalability, impact, and the proposed service area’s existing broadband service needs.
ComElec Services of Dubuque made seven applications:
● $85,931 for a fixed wireless service to reach 75 businesses and 1,178 residential locations (244 unserved locations) in Shullsburg, Argyle, South Wayne, Gratiot, Benton, Town of Belmont, Willow Springs, Fayette, Lamont, Town of Argyle, Wayne, Town of Gratiot, Town of Monticello, Town of Shullsburg, White Oak Springs, Town of Benton, Town of Hazel Green, Town of Linden and Mifflin.
● $463,333 for Fiber to the Premise servicer to reach 27 businesses and 415 residential locations in Benton.
● $213,744 for a fixed wireless service to reach 184 businesses and 1,645 residential locations in Dickeyville, Livingston, Jsmestown, Paris, Smelser, Beetown, South Lancaster, Waterloo, Town of Potosi, Glen Haven, Town of Cassville, Clifton, Town of Fennimore, Wingville and Mount Ida.
● $207,980 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach seven businesses and 21 residential locations in Hazel Green.
● $149,194 for a fixed wireless service to reach 302 businesses and 3,226 residential locations (233 unserved locations) in Darlington, Cuba City, Platteville, Shullsburg, Belmont, Hazel Green, Town of Belmont, Seymour, Town of Platteville, Wiota, Town of Shullsburg, Waldwick, Kendall, Willow Springs, Town of Shullsburg and Town of Argyle.
TDS Telecom has five applications:
● $2,876,223 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach 13 business and 292 residential locations (126 unserved locations) in Beetown, Town of Bloomington, Glen Haven, Little Grant, Town of Patch Grove and Wyalusing.
● $1,262,703 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach 13 business and 218 residential locations (40 unserved locations) in Waterloo and the Town of Cassville
● $3,173,369 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach 10 business and 240 residential locations (59 unserved locations in the Town of Fennimore, Hickory Grove, and Mount Ida.
● $4,573,775 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach 42 business and 635 residential locations (125 unserved locations) in Lancaster, Ellenboro, Beetown, Little Grant, and Liberty.
● $4,055,546 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach eight business and 281 residential locations (120 unserved locations) in Little Grant, Millville, Mount Hope, Mount Ida and the Town of Woodman.
MH Telecom has three applications
● $5,979,300 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach 25 businesses and 427 residential locations (130 unserved locations) in the towns of Arena and Brigham; $130,066 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach one business and 25 residential locations (26 unserved locations): in the Green Leaf Glen subdivision in the Town of Dodgeville; and $732,486 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach two businesses and 68 residential locations in the towns of Brigham and Moscow.
WIConnect Wireless has two applications
● $353,000 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach 19 businesses and 128 residential locations in the Town of Ithaca, and $559,000 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach 30 businesses and 161 residential locations (171 unserved locations) in the Town of Willow.
Other Southwest Wisconsin applications include:
● Brightspeed: $1,141.504 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach 11 businesses and 2,581 residential locations (291 unserved locations) in Boscobel, Fennimore, Livingston, Montfort and Platteville.
● Northwest Vernon County: $310,894 for a Fiber to the Premise service to reach 31 residential locations in the Hillsboro telephone exchange.
● Vernon County/Wildcat Mountain State Park: $696,819 for a Fiber to the Premise service to reach 56 residential locations near Ontario.
● Richland County: $3,529,430 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach three businesses and 437 residential locations (460 unserved locations) in the towns of Ithaca, Richland, Rockbridge and Willow.
● LICT Broadband, $7,955,000 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach 117 businesses and 1,604 residential locations (eight unserved locations) in Grant and Lafayette counties.
● Richland-Grant Telephone Cooperative: $6,266,250 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach 25 businesses and 695 residential locations (720 unserved locations) in Steuben, Wauzeka, Marietta, Town of Wauzeka and Eastman.
● Vernon Communications Cooperative: $1,208,500 for Fiber to the Premise service to reach 13 businesses and 324 residential locations (11 unserved locations) in Ontario and the Town of Whitestown.