Over 1,000 businesses in the state are getting connected to high-speed internet, thanks to $7 million in recently announced broadband expansion grants.

 

“Broadband access is revolutionizing education, health care, and business just like electrical revolutionized farming for my grandparents,” Gov. Scott Walker said in a release.

 

In total, 37 grants are going to companies, school districts and cooperatives from across the state. In addition to the businesses being connected, 14,000 residential locations are also being hooked up to broadband.

 

“With these grants we are continuing to build on our investments into broadband throughout the state to ensure that Wisconsin families and businesses have access to technology and information they need to excel,” Walker said.

 

The state has awarded 138 broadband expansion grants totaling $20 million under Walker, and those grants have been matched with $32 million more from private sources and local communities.

 

This time around, 10 counties are getting grants for the first time: Adams, Brown, Calumet, Green Lake, Lincoln, Outagamie, Racine, Richland, Sawyer and Waushara counties.

 

The awards, announced late last week, are preliminary. They can only be approved after a written decision from the Public Service Commission and a 10-day appeal process, according to a release from the guv’s office.

See more at WisBusiness.com.

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