Volume 61  - May 2025

BEAD Grant Round Two Open

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program has opened Round 2 of the sub-granting process The BEAD program allocates over $1 billion in funding to build broadband infrastructure. In January, the Commission began accepting applications for Round 1.  The Commission received 425 applications, requesting $2.98 billion in funding during Round 1. See the letter summarizing Round 1 applications. Commission staff completed the review process and provided applicants with their respective preliminary Round 1 results. See the letter summarizing the review. The Commission will begin accepting BEAD Grant Round 2 submissions on May 8, 2025 which include optional revisions to applications in no decisive winner status and new applications for certain project units.  BEAD Grant Round 2 closes on Thursday May 29, 2025, at 4:59 pm CT.  Entities approved through the Letter of Intent process are eligible to apply.  Of the initial 4,370 BEAD project units 1,376 project units are available for new applications in Round 2 or to be added to certain existing applications.  A letter detailing Round 2 is available here and an Excel file listing the project units is available here. More information on the BEAD program is available on the BEAD Grant webpage and in docket 5-BD-2025. NTIA grants 90-day extension for the submission of BEAD Final Proposals In April, NTIA issued a Notice of Programmatic Waiver. The waiver grants a 90-day extension of the Final Proposal deadline in anticipation of forthcoming and yet to be announced changes to the BEAD program and to give states sufficient time to implement them. Wisconsin's original Final Proposal deadline was July 28, 2025. Read the Notice of Programmatic Waiver for additional information.

Digital Equity Capacity Grant

Applications Due May 20, 2025 by 1:30 p.m. CT

The Wisconsin Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program provides grant funding to eligible entities to support the implementation of the Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan. Funding for this program is provided through the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program established as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

In this round, the Commission may award a total of $9.5 million in grants for a three year performance period under the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for Digital Navigator Grants and Digital Opportunity Coalition Grants. Applications are due by 1:30 p.m. CT on May 20, 2025. See the grant webpage or application instructions for additional information. 

Commission Awards Nonprofit Access Grants

The Public Service Commission reviewed applications for the 2025 USF Nonprofit Access Grant Program, at their open meeting on May 1, 2025, and decided which applications to fund. Awarded projects will facilitate affordable access to essential telecommunications services for low-income households and people with disabilities. A total of $500,000 in grant funds was available. The Commission awarded the full amount of grant funds to 14 applicants out of the 19 received. 

Digital Opportunity Conference Recording and Slides Available

On April 24, 2025, the PSC hosted a virtual Digital Opportunity Mini-Conference to kick off implementation of the Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan. The event gathered digital inclusion practitioners from across the state and nation, highlighted the excellent work happening to bridge the digital divide in Wisconsin and explored best practices to continue digital opportunity efforts. Discussion panel experts also shared tips and guidance in the areas grant writing, digital navigators, and coalition building. You can download the presentation slides, and view recordings of the full event and each panel session through the links below. Event Recording: Digital Opportunity Mini Conference - YouTube Event Slides: Mini-Conference Slides

Future-Proofing Rural Jobs: Broadband and Regional Collaboration Webinar

On Thursday May 29, 2025 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. CT the Wisconsin Office of Rural Prosperity will host the following webinar: Future-Proofing Rural Jobs: Broadband and Regional Collaboration. Discover how broadband expansion can transform rural workforce development and regional economic growth. Featuring experts in regional planning and workforce development, this webinar will provide valuable insights and introduce new initiatives.

Governor's Broadband Task Force May Meeting

The May meeting of the Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. CT. The meeting will be virtual. The meeting agenda will be posted to 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.

Broadband Expansion Requires Federal and State Coordination 

The Pew Charitable Trusts published an article and connected broadband resources for policy makers by Jake Varn and Kathryn de Wit. This article identifies that a unified approach is needed to ensure quick and effective implementation for the BEAD program. See the link below for access to the article and associated resources.

Broadband Programs: Agencies Need to Further Improve Their Data Quality and Coordination Efforts

Released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on April 28, 2025, this study makes 14 recommendations to improve federal broadband coordination efforts, increase collaboration and ensure federal funding is spent efficiently to expand broadband access, including to areas with the greatest need. 

Grant Recipient Corner

NEW Affiliate/Subsidiary Certification Form

The PSC Wisconsin Broadband Office has updated its process for reimbursement of affiliate and subsidiary business costs for grantees holding state or federal broadband grants. Our goal with this certification is to streamline and expedite affiliate/subsidiary reimbursement requests while also maintaining robust oversight of allowable costs. If you haven’t already, please complete a form for each affiliate or subsidiary, expected to have eligible, allocable costs related to the work outlined in your grant agreement. You can find forms on your PSC state or federal grant specific webpage (psc.wi.gov).

Reminder About Drug-Free Workplace Requirements

All Capital Projects Fund programs must align with government wide requirements for a Drug-Free Workplace as outlined in 31 CFR Part 20. Documentation for this policy may be reviewed during a desk review. Additional details can be found in your Grant Agreement and 31 CFR Part 20. If you need additional assistance with updating or developing your organization’s Drug-Free Workplace policy or statement the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a Drug-Free Workplace Toolkit, which provides a helpful overview of how to develop a drug-free policy. You can also reach out to your Grant Specialist for additional guidance.

Wisconsin Broadband Office Newsletter

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