The Office of Rural Prosperity releases a toolkit to guide regional efforts
Expanding broadband access in rural Wisconsin is not just about improving connectivity; it’s about transforming lives and communities. By enhancing market access for local businesses, supporting educational opportunities, and improving health care services, broadband plays a vital role in fostering economic growth and resilience. As rural areas embrace the digital age, the potential for innovation and entrepreneurship will flourish, leading to a more vibrant and sustainable future.
Investing in broadband infrastructure is essential for ensuring that all residents can thrive, bridging the divide between rural and urban areas, and creating a stronger, more connected Wisconsin for generations to come. The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission Report on Rural Prosperity in 2020 affirmed this, listing affordable, high-quality broadband as one of the “essential components” of a healthy rural economy.
WEDC’s Office of Rural Prosperity recently published “Connecting Wisconsin: A Broadband Toolkit for Rural Economic Development .” This comprehensive, free resource is designed to assist regional planners and economic developers in Wisconsin’s rural areas and Tribal nations with developing robust broadband strategies, giving everyone in Wisconsin the tools to stay connected and thrive.
“The goal of the toolkit is to get everybody on the same page in a region so that nobody is left behind. It aims to give all communities a voice in the deployment of broadband in their area,” says WEDC Rural Initiative Senior Manager Delia Kovac.
Boosting rural economies with broadband
Broadband can energize rural economies by opening new opportunities for businesses to reach larger markets and enabling employees to work remotely. It provides farmers with the necessary connectivity for precision agriculture, supports remote learning, and facilitates access to telemedicine, thereby enhancing health and quality of life. Additionally, it equips the tourism industry with advanced tools to attract and serve visitors, contributing to the overall vitality of rural communities.
“Broadband is the backbone of modern economic growth,” says Kovac. “Without high-speed internet, rural communities can’t compete or thrive in today’s digital world.”
According to a 2024 study by the Center on Rural Innovation, rural counties with low broadband usage lose, on average, three or more businesses each year. In contrast, rural counties with high broadband usage experience a significant increase in business startups. Between 2020 and 2022, these high-broadband areas saw an 18% growth in per capita income, translating to nearly $500 in additional earnings per person each year.
Bridging the digital divide in Wisconsin
With a historic $1 billion allocation from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, Wisconsin has an unprecedented chance to enhance connectivity across the state. The goal of Wisconsin’s BEAD funding is to ensure that every resident and business has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet. Specifically, the program aims to provide internet speeds of at least 100 megabits per second for downloads and 20 megabits per second for uploads across Wisconsin. BEAD focuses on extending broadband to underserved and unserved areas, particularly those that are less profitable for internet service providers and more challenging to service due to factors like sparse populations or difficult terrain.
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) plays a crucial role in administering BEAD funding. It identifies areas lacking broadband service, develops detailed maps, and oversees the allocation of funds. The PSC also manages the competitive sub-granting process, incorporates community input for accurate planning, and monitors project implementation to ensure compliance and timely completion. These efforts aim to provide reliable, high-speed internet to all residents and businesses in Wisconsin, bridging the digital divide and fostering economic growth.
Blueprint for rural broadband
The PSC collaborated with ORP to create a technical assistance program aimed at helping rural Wisconsin prepare for BEAD funding. Developed as part of this initiative, the 57-page guide is designed to assist rural economic development professionals and regional planners in expanding broadband infrastructure. The toolkit covers essential topics such as broadband basics, planning and implementation, community engagement, data utilization, public-private partnerships, funding, digital equity, and successful case studies. It offers step-by-step guidance and technical assistance to align regional priorities while collaborating with internet service providers and develop tailored solutions for Wisconsin’s rural areas and Tribal nations.
“We hope this toolkit will empower communities by providing them with a clear roadmap for engaging in regional broadband discussions, ultimately leading to strong economic outcomes for Wisconsin’s rural areas and Tribal Nations,” says Kovac.
By identifying key partners and resources, the toolkit provides a solid foundation for developing broadband infrastructure . It offers tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of Wisconsin’s rural regions, ensuring that everyone in the state has the opportunity to stay connected and thrive.
With this toolkit, Wisconsin is taking a significant step towards bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all communities, regardless of their location, have access to the high-speed internet necessary for economic growth and prosperity. By fostering collaboration and providing practical resources, the toolkit aims to create a more connected future for everyone in Wisconsin.
