Washington, DC — Today, Rep. Ron Kind announced that over $46 million in American Rescue Plan funding will go to Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District for broadband expansion. These grants, approved through the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, will support projects to extend fiber broadband internet to locations that are currently unserved and underserved.
“Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, construction will soon be underway on broadband expansion projects across the district,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “The COVID-19 pandemic has only further highlighted the fact that access to broadband is a necessity today’s world, and this funding will help take critical steps to close the digital divide. As a member of the Rural Broadband Task Force, I’ll keep working to ensure all Wisconsinites have access to high-speed, reliable internet.”
WI-03 counties receiving funding are:
- Buffalo: $4,822,700
- Eau Claire: $869,545
- Dunn: $12,155,464
- Chippewa: $6,006,417
- Pierce: $6,729,681
- Jackson: $2,177,500
- Adams: $2,523,335
- Juneau: $1,713,541
- Crawford: $8,061,500
- Grant: $943,333
Wisconsin ranks 36th of America’s most connected states, with 1/5 of the state’s population considered “underserved” or with limited access to high-speed internet. Over 899,000 people in Wisconsin have access to only one internet provider, with nearly 200,000 people living in communities without any wired internet providers.
Rep. Kind is a member of the House Rural Broadband Task Force and has continuously supported legislation to expand broadband access for all Wisconsinites.
