Richland County Is Big Winner of Rural Broadband Expansion Grants
Six major rural broadband projects in 17th Senate District receive state funding
Madison, WI – Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) today applauded the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) for awarding $1.9 million for four Rural Broadband Expansion Grant projects in Richland County and two other projects in Sauk and Juneau counties during the 2021 grant cycle.
“I am thrilled that these grant funds will be going to areas that need it the most,” Sen. Marklein said. “The expansion into Richland County will make a huge difference for the families I represent and is exactly the intent for this grant program.”
The PSC awarded $28.4 million in grants for the 2021 grant cycle. Six projects were funded in communities of the 17th Senate District, including four in Richland County. In total, the 17th Senate District received $2,233,300 of the $28,431,738 awarded statewide.
“Rural broadband expansion is one of my top priorities,” Sen. Marklein said. “I work on this issue every day and seek ways to help communities and telecommunications providers find ways to serve those who are unserved in Wisconsin. We made a huge investment in broadband in the last budget and I am very pleased that the funding coming to the 17th Senate District will serve unserved areas that are desperate for connection.”
The grants to Richland County include the following projects:
Reedsburg Utility Commission – Highway 130 and Bear Valley Project
Total Project = $860,300
Grant Award = $327,000
Matching Funds = $533,000
Project Description: The Highway 130/Bear Valley fiber project proposes extending gigabit fiber to the home along approximately 25 roadway miles throughout the unserved areas off of Highway 130 into Bear Valley.
Richland Grant Telephone Co-Op – Highway 80 Corridor Phase II
Total Project = $1,725,000
Grant Award = $690,000
Matching Funds = $1,035,000
Project Description: The project proposes a fiber to the home network including 50 miles of main line fiber in a very rural area along Hwy 80 in Richland County. This fiber route will pass 225 locations. This is Phase II of a FY 2020 WI Broadband Grant project.
Richland Grant Telephone Co-Op – County Road Z
Total Project = $1,250,000
Grant Award = $500,000
Matching Funds = $750,000
Project Description: This project proposes a fiber to the home network of 18 miles of main line fiber in a very rural area between Hwy 14 and Hwy 56 in Richland County. This fiber route will pass 145 locations.
Tech Com, Inc. – Richland County Phase II Fiber
Total Project = $685,000
Grant Award = $342,000
Matching Funds = $343,000
Project Description: This project proposes a fiber to the home network of 18 miles of main line fiber in rural Richland County to about 155 locations in an unserved area. The fiber will include CTY A through the project area from Hwy 80 to County Z. Including an area north to County A to Hwy 56 and to Hwy 14.
The grants to other areas of the 17th Senate District include the following projects:
Reedsburg Utility Commission – Town of Lyndon
Total Project = $105,350
Grant Award = $40,000
Matching Funds = $65,350
Project Description: Project proposes extending gigabit fiber to the home network along approximately three roadway miles in the Town of Lyndon, Juneau County. The project will include unserved areas of County HH, Dore Road, Sweeny Lane and Mitchell Road.
Reedsburg Utility Commission – River Valley Phase III
Total Project = $986,300
Grant Award = $334,300
Matching Funds = $652,000
Project Description: The project is Phase 3 of the River Valley Fiber Project which proposes extending gigabit fiber to the home network along approximately 30 roadway miles in the northeastern quarter of the Town of Spring Green.
“I will continue to work to expand rural broadband to the communities that need our support,” Sen. Marklein said. “We have made very good progress, but there are more, rural communities that are waiting to be connected and we are working hard to reach them.”
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