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BEAD Initial Proposal Approved
The Commission is pleased to share that Wisconsin's Initial Proposal for investing $1.05 billion from the federal Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program has been approved by the NTIA.
Part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the BEAD program provides funding to support deployment of high-speed internet access. With the Initial Proposal Volume 1 and Volume 2 approved by NTIA, the Commission will now begin the subgranting process to improve service to unserved and unserved locations throughout the state. The first step of the subgranting process is the Letter of Intent process, further described below. Following the Letter of Intent process eligible and qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the project application phase of BEAD later this year.
See the full press release here.
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Governor's Task Force on Broadband Releases 4th Report
The Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access has released their 4th annual report. The 2024 report provides an update on achievements under Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration to expand access, adoption, and affordability of high-speed internet across Wisconsin. The report makes recommendations for the state to prepare for federal broadband funds while sustaining and extending progress through ongoing state investment and initiatives to advance broadband affordability and adoption.
Some select Task Force Recommendations include:
- Support permit planning and increase analysis of permitting needs by publishing and distributing guidance, maintaining web maps and tools, and providing technical assistance.
- Invest additional state budget funding for broadband expansion to address gaps left behind after BEAD the process. Target state funding in areas where experienced speeds differ from advertised service due to aging and less-reliable technology.
- Consider line extension funding to help bridge gaps in installation costs of broadband.
- Advocate for the continuation of affordability programs, through federal action to provide ongoing funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program or its successor, or through state action to create a state internet affordability program for low-income households. Consider internet service provider feasibility and financial sustainability in the implementation of affordability initiatives and allocation of grant funding.
See the full Press Release for additional information.
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BEAD Letter of Intent Process Starting August 1st
Starting August 1, 2024 the Commission will begin to accept Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) letters of intent (LOI). The federal BEAD program's principal focus is to award funding for deployment of broadband infrastructure to all unserved and underserved locations in Wisconsin.
As approved by NTIA, the Commission will require potential applicants who wish to compete for funding to submit an LOI. The LOI will be used to evaluate a potential applicant's technical, financial, operational and managerial capacity to deploy and operate broadband service and capability to comply with BEAD requirements and standards. an approved LOI is a required pre-qualification step applicants must complete prior to submitting applications for specific projects.
For the BEAD program the Commission is using docket 5-BD-2025. Interested parties must proactively subscribe to the docket on the Commission's ERF system to ensure they receive timely information related to the process. Information and resources related to the BEAD letter of intent and grant process are also available on the BEAD grant webpage.
The BEAD Letter of Intent is due October 1, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. CT.
BEAD Letter of Intent Instructions
BEAD Letter of Intent Webpage
BEAD Letter of Intent Informational Webinar
On Tuesday August 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT the Wisconsin Broadband Office will host an informational webinar on the letter of intent and provide details on the submission process. The webinar is designed for entities that are considering or intending to submit a Letter of Intent. The webinar will be recorded and posted to the BEAD Letter of Intent webpage. Webinar registration is here.
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NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grants Accepting Applications
The Federal Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the availability of nearly $1 billion to fund Digital Equity programs that ensure communities have access to devices and skills needed to fully participate in the digital world.
This is the first funding opportunity from the Digital Equity Act’s $1.25 billion Competitive Grant Program and is part of the “Internet for All” initiative.
This opportunity is available across the nation and a variety of organizations can apply on a competitive basis for funding to support of variety digital equity programs and services. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of states, such as city and county governments; Native entities; certain nonprofits; community anchor institutions; local educational agencies; and workforce development organizations. Partnerships among these entities are allowed and encouraged.
Applications are due by September 23. NTIA expects to begin making awards under this Notice of Funding by Winter of 2024. NTIA plans to issue awards on a rolling basis.
The Wisconsin Broadband Office strongly encourages interested and eligible Wisconsin entities to apply.
Notice of Funding Opportunity
Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program Webpage
Introduction to the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan
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 Incentivizing Broadband Projects: Board of Commissioners of Public Lands Webinar
Join UW Extension on August 15th at noon for a virtual webinar as to discuss the State Trust Fund Loan Program through the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands and how communities may easily access these funds for Broadband and other economic development and infrastructure projects.
As communities are prioritizing broadband projects, incentivizing projects with the most need is one way to ensure these projects will get done.
This webinar will share how to go through the process of applying for the State Trust Fund Loan Program and how this can benefit your community beyond the funding itself.
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 National Skills Coalition: Closing Wisconsin's Digital Skill Divide
National Skills Coalition (NSC) in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank released Closing the Digital Skill Divide. This report also found that public investments in closing this digital skill divide can generate measurable economic payoff for businesses, workers, and the broader economy.
Closing the Digital Skill Divide finds strong demand for digital skills across every industry and in almost every occupation, including entry-level and frontline positions. The report also finds that the digital skill divide disproportionately impacts workers of color, low-income individuals, and rural residents, due to historic underinvestment and structural inequities.
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Grant Recipient Corner
Broadband Grant Site Visits
The Wisconsin Broadband Office (WBO) does conduct routine desk reviews and onsite monitoring of our grant programs. The WBO will always provide advance notice, typically at least 10 days, of when a desk review or onsite monitoring will occur. The best way you can be prepared for monitoring is to be familiar with your grant agreement, reimbursement, and reporting requirements. If you have questions about the monitoring process, please contact the grant specialist assigned to you.
Happy Retirement Cath
We’re sad to announce the retirement of Grants Specialist Advanced Cath Kittle, August 9, 2024. Cath came to the State in 2010 with a wealth of experience managing and providing medical insurance along with intimate experience with board and shareholder meetings in small corporate office for a construction business. Fast forward, Cath’s “construction” experience brought expertise to manage a wide range of broadband grant recipient projects, risk management expertise and experience that benefitted administration of the broadband grant program. Combined with her creativity, detail-oriented nature, and hatred of making mistakes, Cath has helped create an environment that has supported fast and exponential broadband grant program growth over the past 10 years. Thank you, Cath and happy retirement!
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The Wisconsin Broadband Office will send out regular communication to internet service providers, grant applicants and broadband stakeholders. We aim to be relevant and share timely information from our office.
Please reach out if anyone from the Wisconsin Broadband Office can be of assistance or if you would like to request a staff member attend a meeting or make a presentation to your group. Email Us.
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PSC is transitioning to using govDelivery for sending general communication such as press releases and program area newsletters. The govDelivery platform is used by thousands of government agencies for sending engaging, secure, and timely messaging. For more information about govDelivery, visit the govDelivery website.
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