Wisconsin Has A Goal Of Broadband For All By 2025

In 2018, Wisconsin was ranked 32nd for internet access, out of all 50 states. That ranking makes Wisconsin Broadband Office's plan to have internet acess for all WI residents by 2025 a lofty goal said WI State Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point). At the state level, Testin said the Public Service Commission (PSC) has created broadband expansion grants for small providers that typically serve rural and underserved areas. He said between 2014-2018, the state has helped connect more than 4,000 businesses and 75,000 households with high-speed internet. 

Local governments in WI are also getting more involved in the issue. In the wake of the lost jobs, the Buffalo County Board of Supervisors formed an economic development committee to study what could be done to bring more jobs to the area.  "One of the things the study said is if we’re going to go into the 21st century we need broadband all over the county," said David Danzinger, a Buffalo County supervisor. Buffalo County was one of the first local governments in Wisconsin to sign up for the Broadband Forward program through the PSC. There are now 35 Wisconsin communities in the program.