STATE OF WISCONSIN JIM DOYLE GOVERNOR State Capitol Room 115 East, Madison, Wisconsin 53702 • (608) 266-1212 • FAX (608) 267-8983 • [email protected] Contacts: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, (608) 261-2162 Timothy Le Monds or Teresa Smith, Public Service Commission, 608-266-9600 State Awarded $1.7 Million in Grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Wisconsin will be able to map broadband access and spread high-speed internet networks to more parts of the state through competitive federal grants totaling $1.7 million. The funding was awarded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “This is an important first step in getting broadband communication lines to more parts of the state,” Governor Doyle said. “This effort will give us a clearer picture or where broadband service is and will help us enhance communication technology in Wisconsin.” The Public Service Commission has retained LinkAmerica to map the broadband service currently available in Wisconsin and to help plan future expansions. In early 2010, an interactive tool will be available on the Public Service Commission’s web site (www.psc.wi.gov) that will allow consumers to search addresses and see what types of service is available, and at what speeds. Of the $1.7 million in grants, $1.2 million was awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to fund broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period. NTIA received applications representing the 50 states, 5 territories, and the District of Columbia to participate in the program. In the last month, grants were awarded to California, Indiana, North Carolina, Vermont, Maryland, Idaho, Alabama, Massachusetts, Washington, Wyoming, Arkansas, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, and New York. NTIA expects to continue announcing grant awards throughout the fall. The remaining $485,000 came from the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program, which assists states in gathering and verifying data on the availability, speed, location, and technology type of broadband services. Awardees are required to contribute at least 20 percent non-federal matching funds toward project costs. The data from each state map will be compiled to develop a searchable national broadband map. The national map will publicly display geographic areas where broadband service is available; technology used to provide the service; speeds of the service; and broadband service availability at public schools, libraries, hospitals, colleges, universities, and public buildings.
