Wisconsin officials launched a new $60 million broadband grant round aimed at expanding high-speed internet access in underserved parts of the state. The funding will target communities not expected to receive service through the federal Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin will accept applications through July 27 under the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program. Eligible applicants include telecommunications providers, municipalities, and local governments partnering with broadband companies.
The program focuses on locations that lack internet speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps. State officials estimate more than 30,000 locations in Wisconsin remain outside current federal broadband deployment plans and still require infrastructure investment.
The funding comes from Wisconsin’s Universal Service Fund and unused allocations from previous broadband grant rounds. Officials said the program will support construction of new broadband infrastructure and expansion of service to additional homes and businesses statewide.
Wisconsin has allocated more than $345 million in state and federal broadband funding since 2019. State officials said those investments have supported or will support improved internet access for more than 410,000 homes and businesses.