Wired Wisconsin: Wisconsin receives over $38 million in broadband funding

Contact: Thad Nation

414.412.7814

Federal grants and loans to benefit state colleges, City of Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin will receive over $38 million in grants and loans as part of the US Department of Commerce Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, Senator Kohl announced today.

The University of Wisconsin System will be the main beneficiary, receiving nearly $30 million to help the University of Wisconsin-Extension Service (UWEX) offer broadband to up to 182 community institutions, as well as $2.4 million to create seven public computer centers and develop targeted programs to increase broadband usage in five needy communities.

The College of Menominee Nations will also receive over $3.3 million to upgrade and expand public computer services, and the City of Milwaukee will receive nearly $2.5 million to enhance broadband services in economically vulnerable communities.

“The influx of new broadband funding we’ve seen over the past few months will play a vital role in growing Wisconsin’s economy and helping our state compete for new, higher-tech jobs,” said Thad Nation, Executive Director of Wired Wisconsin. “Particularly for students across the state, today’s announcement is great news. By ensuring high-speed Internet access is available at colleges statewide, we can help give these students the skills necessary to compete for jobs on a global level.”

The UWEX funding alone – combined with $12.8 million in matching contributions – is expected to benefit more than 330,000 people and 9,000 businesses statewide, and create nearly 150 jobs.

The Marquette-Adams Telephone Cooperative and Reedsburg Utility Commission received more than $25 million combined last month to expand high-speed Internet service to over 17,000 residents in their coverage areas, and in late June, the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee approved nearly $23 million in federal recovery act funds to expand broadband to 467 state schools and libraries in nearly 380 communities.

“I’d like to thank Senator Kohl for his continuing commitment to broadband expansion in Wisconsin, and his recognition that high-speed Internet access is a crucial economic development tool for the 21st Century,” Nation said.

-30-

Wired Wisconsin is the Wisconsin-based project of Midwest Consumers for Choice and Competition (MCCC), a non-profit organization of individual consumers interested in technology, broadband, and telecommunication issues with state projects throughout the Midwest region.

The project will work to support an environment for innovative technology, high-tech job creation, and economic growth. Wired Wisconsin will seek to educate consumers, policy makers, and businesses about technology- related legislative and regulatory issues that impact our lives and advocate for common-sense approaches to spur innovation and grow the economy. For more information, visit http://www.wiredwisconsin.org.