MADISON, Wis. – High-capacity Internet access will be improved in five pilot communities thanks to $32.3 million in federal grants announced today by University of Wisconsin-Extension Provost and Vice Chancellor Christine J. Quinn. UW-Extension led the grant application process.
The larger of the two grants will provide $29.9 million to expand broadband connections for public safety agencies, health care providers, schools and community organizations in Platteville, Wausau, Superior and the Chippewa Valley region. A separate $2.4 million grant will support education and outreach in the same four communities and in the Menominee Nation.
In a written statement, Governor Jim Doyle said, “Access to quality broadband service and training are critical to the future of the state’s commerce and education system. The expansion of the state’s broadband network means that fewer rural residents will be at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing the ever-increasing network of information and services available exclusively on the Internet.”
Quinn said UW-Extension’s role was to facilitate partnerships among the public and private interests and to promote community engagement. “This effort is community driven! This is a wonderful example of the Wisconsin Idea at work,” she said. “People all over the state will be able to learn from the experience of these five pilot communities. The long-term impact will be stronger communities with broader access to education, employment, global markets, health care and other resources.”
The $29.9 million infrastructure grant will build more than 600 miles of fiber optic cable impacting 39 communities. Statewide, the network is expected to connect up to 182 institutions. Altogether, the grants will bring high-capacity Internet access closer for 139,000 households and 9,000 businesses by making it easier for private companies to provide last-mile service.
The $2.4 million education grant will help build demand for high-capacity Internet service by government, business and residential users by teaching underserved groups and individuals about the use and advantages of high-capacity broadband.
In addition to the UW-Extension, statewide public and private partners include the University of Wisconsin System, WiscNet, CCI Systems Inc., the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. Each of the five locations also has local partners that have contributed time and money to the project.
“Through this project, Wisconsin communities will benefit from the combined strengths of private and public partners, including CCI Systems’ technological expertise and UW-Extension’s educational expertise and community outreach,” said John P. Jamar, chief executive officer of CCI Systems Inc. “We look forward to working closely with UW-Extension and all of the other partners to make this project a success.”
The grants were awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The University of Wisconsin-Extension extends the resources and research of the University of Wisconsin System statewide. UW-Extension includes Cooperative Extension offices in 72 counties and three tribal nations, 12 Small Business Development Centers, Outreach and E-Learning programs delivered via the 26 UW System campuses and distance-learning channels, as well as the statewide networks of Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television.
Contact:
Sandy Kallio
(608) 890-3558
sandra.kallio@uwex.edu