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The Wisconsin Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (5-DEC-2025) provides grant funding to eligible entities to support the implementation of the Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan. The funding for this program is provided by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) through the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program established as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
As described in the Commission's Order establishing the program, the Digital Equity Capacity Grant program is organized around two program tracks: Digital Navigators (Track 1), and Digital Opportunity Coalitions (Track 2).
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Track 1: The overall purpose of the Digital Navigator track is to expand current and/or support new digital navigator staff, programs, and projects that serve the covered populations, and increase internet adoption, digital skills and related digital opportunities within local communities.
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Track 2: The overall purpose of the Digital Opportunity Coalitions track is to expand and support current and new local digital opportunity groups that will raise awareness, identify community needs, and increase the network of people, programs, and services that increase digital opportunity.
In this current round, the Commission may award a total of $9.5 million in grants under the Digital Equity Capacity Program for a performance period of up to three years. Applications are due by 1:30 p.m. C.T. on May 20, 2025. See the grant webpage or the application instructions for additional information.
Webinar Digital Equity Capacity Grant - Information and Overview
On Thursday, April 10, 2025 Commission staff will host a webinar: Wisconsin Digital Equity Capacity Grant - Information and Overview. The webinar will include a breakdown of the grant’s two program tracks, description of the application process and eligibility requirements, discussion of the awarding merit criteria, federal program requirements, and a question-and-answer segment. Registration is required.
 Wisconsin BEAD Grant Round One Summary
On Tuesday February 25, 2025, Wisconsin's BEAD Round one closed. The Commission received 425 applications, requesting just under $3 billion in funding. The submitted applications include 188,926 of the 199,067 eligible locations. Commission staff will review and score the applications over the coming weeks and announce the forthcoming opening of BEAD grant round 2. A letter summarizing round one is available here.
New Resource: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Permitting for BEAD
The Public Service Commission (PSC), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office (WI SHPO) and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) developed a webinar playlist for BEAD applicants and interested stakeholders. The following resources are designed for entities undertaking a BEAD funded broadband deployment project.
Here is the webinar playlist on YouTube. Related slide decks can also be found on the PSC BEAD Webpage.
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Governor's Broadband Task Force March Meeting
The March meeting of the Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CST. The meeting will be virtual. The meeting agenda will be posted on the Commission Calendar at least 24 hours in advance and will include information on how members of the public can watch and listen online. Public comments are invited at the beginning of the meeting. |
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Webinar of Interest: Innovative Regional Development Leveraging Broadband for Growth
Discover how broadband expansion can drive innovative regional economic development strategies. This session features representatives from Winrock International, who will delve into their Arkansas Delta Rhythm and Bayous project. Learn about the project’s transformative impact on rural regional development. You'll also hear from local expert Barb LaMue, President and CEO of the New North, on unleashing the possibilities of regional economic development in Wisconsin. Additionally, the Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) will showcase their toolkit for rural broadband planning.
Other Funding Opportunities
USDA Community Connect Grants Accepting Applications
The Community Connect Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service in rural, economically-challenged communities where service does not exist. The application window for the FY2025 round of funding in now open and will close on April 21, 2025. More information on the Community Connect Grants is available here.
Commission Lifeline Outreach Grants Accepting Applications
The Lifeline Outreach Grant Program (5-LLG-2025) provides grant funding to improve participation in the Lifeline Program, which helps address affordability challenges by providing a discount on essential telecommunications services for low-income households. Non-profit organizations, community-based agencies, institutions of higher education, local and Tribal governments and for-profit businesses are eligible for funding. Applications are due by 1:30 p.m. CST on March 26, 2025. More information can be found on the Lifeline Outreach Grant Program webpage.
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