$1.6 Million in Rural Broadband Grants for 17th Senate District
Projects create connections for 140 businesses and 1,267 homes.
Madison, WI – Senator Howard Marklein today announced that more than $1.6 million in grant funding has been awarded to projects in and near the 17th Senate District. The six projects will create connections for 140 businesses, 1,267 homes and eight community facilities.
“I am thrilled that so many communities in the 17th Senate District were selected for Rural Broadband Expansion Grants in the most recent grant cycle,” Marklein said. “In fact, this cycle will take away one of my most staggering examples of a lack of service. Beetown, in Grant county, received $375,868 for a project that will provide service to 27 businesses and 470 residences!”
“I am proud of our work to grow the Rural Broadband Expansion Grant program,” Marklein said. “We still have work to do, but we are making progress. Public-private investment is key to expanding high-quality broadband that our citizens want and need to do business, learn and thrive in rural Wisconsin. I appreciate all of the community leaders and telecommunications companies that have worked together to design these projects.”
The following projects were announced by Governor Scott Walker on Thursday, September 20, 2018:
- Bug Tussel Wireless, LLC Lafayette County fixed wireless project - $308,384. This project will build three wireless towers in the southern portion of Lafayette County, south of Highway 11. The fixed wireless service will reach 33 businesses and 162 homes within the footprint of the antennas.
- LaValle Telephone Cooperative fiber project - $240,000. This project will build a fiber to the premises service in the Towns of Henrietta and Rockbridge, in Richland County southwest of LaValle, and in the Town of Seven Mile Creek, in Juneau County northeast of LaValle. The project will build past 6 businesses and 95 homes.
- Reedsburg Utility Commission River Valley project - $305,550. This project will build a fiber backbone through the Village of Spring Green and extend a fiber to the premises service to unserved areas in the Town of Spring Green. The project will pass 35 businesses, 8 community locations and 262 residential locations.
- Reedsburg Utility Commission Town of Delton project - $137,722. This project will build a fiber to the premises service past 19 businesses and 134 homes adjacent to Highway 12 just south of I-90/94 at the Wisconsin Dells exit. This project area is northeast of RUC’s FY 2016 broadband project area.
- The Farmers Telephone Company, LLC d/b/a TDS Telecom Town of Beetown DSL project - $375,868. This project will improve DSL service in the Town of Beetown in Grant County. The project will build 7.8 miles of new fiber, install 17 news DSAs and upgrade 6 existing DSAs. The project will improve service for 27 businesses and 470 homes.
- Vernon Communications Cooperative Vernon County Phase III fiber project - $309,294. This project is Phase III of Vernon Communications Cooperative’s fiber build out within the Viroqua telephone exchange. This phase will build past 20 businesses 144 homes in rural Vernon County.
Sen. Marklein will join the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Reedsburg Utility Commission and the City of Reedsburg for a special announcement related to Rural Broadband Expansion and Telecommuter Forward! Community Certification on Friday, September 28, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the Reedsburg Utility Commission, 501 Utility Court, Reedsburg. Media is invited to attend.