Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), today announced the latest major milestone in the state’s efforts to expand high-speed internet statewide under a federal program designed to expand access to high-speed internet across the country. On December 2, the federal government approved Wisconsin’s final proposal, which will unlock over $1 billion in federal investments secured under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden. The Evers Administration’s proposal aims at expanding access to high-speed internet to more than 175,000 homes and businesses across the state, building upon Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration’s efforts to close the digital divide.
Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration have been working to address the state’s digital divide for years, even as the Wisconsin State Legislature, for two consecutive two-year state budgets, has approved $0 in new state funding for broadband expansion. Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration have done more to expand access to high-speed internet in Wisconsin than any other administration in state history. Since 2019, Gov. Evers has allocated more than $345 million in state and federal funds to expand high-speed internet, including the largest state investment in state history. With these investments, the Evers Administration has helped more than 410,000 homes and businesses access new or improved broadband.
“Access to high-speed internet is a necessity for how we learn, work, and stay connected in the 21st Century, and as a result of this years-long effort to secure this approval, we’ll be able to help more than 175,000 homes and businesses get online across the state. That’s remarkable,” said Gov. Evers. “After three years of working to implement the BEAD program and the Trump Administration making changes in the final hour, getting to this point today was a marathon effort. I’m grateful for the folks at PSC and others who helped secure this important federal approval to move forward our state’s efforts to close the digital divide and ensure folks and families have the reliable, affordable high-speed internet they need and deserve.”