Gov. Evers, PSC Help Expand Access to High-Speed Internet for 428,000 Homes and Businesses in Unserved Communities
Governor and PSC announce $58 million in grants to continue administration's efforts to close the digital divide
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), today announced that the PSC awarded nearly $58 million to expand access to high-speed internet in unserved communities through the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program. Gov. Evers and his administration have done more to expand access to high-speed internet in Wisconsin than any other administration in state history, and with the addition of these latest awards, since 2019, the Evers Administration will help more than 428,000 homes and businesses across the state access new or improved high-speed internet service.
“Access to high-speed internet is a necessity, not a luxury, which is why my administration and I have worked hard over the past eight years to ensure folks and families have the reliable, affordable high-speed internet they need and deserve, regardless of their ZIP code,” said Gov. Evers. “That work has paid off with 428,000 homes and businesses now having new or improved service, and I’m thrilled we’re getting more funding out the door so we can continue our work to close the digital divide here in Wisconsin.”
The State Broadband Expansion Grant Program supports the deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved areas of the state. For the first time, the Wisconsin Broadband Office and applicants used the Broadband Serviceable Location nationwide dataset to more precisely identify and target the locations in highest need of high-speed broadband technologies, including fiber and fixed wireless. The PSC awarded grant funding to 46 projects that will provide new or improved service to more than 18,000 locations across the state. A map of the award recipients is available below, and a list of the award recipients is attached.
Map of October 2026 State Broadband Expansion Grant Program Award Recipients
“Since 2019, the Evers’ Administration has undertaken significant, unprecedented efforts to expand access to high-speed internet across Wisconsin. These 2026 State Broadband Expansion Grant awards further the historic progress made to bridge our state’s digital divide. However, more work remains,” said PSC Chairperson Summer Strand. “This grant round, the PSC received applications requesting $100 million more than the amount of funding available, yet another example of program demand greatly exceeding available funding. This is likely the last round of state broadband expansion grants unless the next Legislature authorizes additional funds for this essential program. We know how critical these investments are for homes and businesses throughout our state, and I encourage state lawmakers to provide funding to sustain this program and ensure every person and business in Wisconsin is connected to high-speed internet.”
In May 2026, Gov. Evers and the PSC announced the latest State Broadband Expansion Grant round. In the grant round, the PSC received 93 applications requesting more than $160 million for the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program, far exceeding the funding available.
The Evers Administration has been working to address the state’s digital divide for years, even as the Wisconsin State Legislature, for two consecutive two-year state budgets, has approved $0 in new state funding for broadband expansion. Despite no additional state funding in recent state budgets, thanks to the PSC’s fiscally responsible management, the 2026 State Broadband Expansion Grant Round utilized underspent and returned funds from prior state broadband grant rounds, as well as funding statutorily allocated to the state broadband grant program from the Universal Service Fund.
The 2026 State Broadband Expansion Grant round is intended to close gaps by reaching locations not served by the federally funded Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, as well as providing improved broadband service to unserved areas that lack speeds of 100/20 Mbps in the state.
The Wisconsin Broadband Office estimates that after removing locations set to receive improved fiber and fixed wireless service through BEAD or other programs, at least 30,000 locations in Wisconsin remain unserved. The 2026 State Broadband Expansion Grant Program will help close this gap, but remaining locations require infrastructure funding and stand to benefit from additional State Broadband Expansion Grant Program funds.
Additional information about the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program is available on the PSC’s website.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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