Madison — September 13, 2024 — Gov. Tony Evers, together with Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairperson Summer Strand, announced today that the PSC awarded more than $27.8 million in funding from the Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program to fund 11 projects throughout Wisconsin that will improve internet connectivity by providing access to devices, technology, and digital navigators.
Through the 11 projects awarded funding under the Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program, an estimated 52,409 households will receive a loaned device and 33,682 households will have access to free Wi-Fi. The Capital Projects Fund (CPF) Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program is focused on internet adoption and affordability in order to complement the historic federal and state broadband expansion investments that have helped more than 410,000 homes and businesses access new or improved broadband services under Gov. Evers’ leadership since 2019.
“Having access to reliable, high-speed internet is a necessity for how we do work, how we learn, how we see our doctors, how we stay connected to our communities—and I am proud that no administration in state history has done more to expand access to high-speed internet than we have,” said Gov. Evers. “Since 2019, we’ve allocated more than $345 million to ensure more than 410,000 homes and businesses will have new or improved, reliable, high-speed internet, and I remain committed to ensuring that we close the digital divide and keep up our economic momentum.”
Under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the U.S. Department of the Treasury awarded Wisconsin funding through the CPF to administer this program and address critical gaps in high-speed internet access, affordability, and adoption, providing a unique opportunity to bridge the digital divide in Wisconsin.
Data from the 2022 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates that approximately seven percent of Wisconsin residents did not have a computer in the household. And regardless of whether a device is in the household, over 12 percent of households did not have a broadband subscription.
The Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program promotes digital connectivity by deploying devices such as computers, laptops, and tablets for eligible households to access. The program also promotes digital connectivity through the installation of Wi-Fi equipment in eligible multi-dwelling units, which includes apartment buildings, condominiums, and mobile home parks. Both approaches will include the provision of digital navigation services to ensure Wisconsinites can make full use of the internet for work, education, health monitoring, and other essential activities. A digital navigator is a trusted guide who assists others with internet adoption and digital device use.
“Under Governor Evers’ leadership, Wisconsin has made historic strides to expand access to new or improved broadband infrastructure, but this alone is not enough to bridge the digital divide in our state,” said PSC Chairperson Strand. “To complement this essential initiative, the 11 Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program grants awarded will help thousands more Wisconsin households receive devices, obtain affordable internet service, and acquire digital literacy skills training. I am proud of the PSC’s continued efforts to improve internet adoption and affordability so people across Wisconsin can use the internet to live, learn, work, and participate fully in our society.”
The CPF Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program is a grant program administered by the PSC and does not serve as a replacement for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP, administered by the Federal Communications Commission, helped qualified households pay for broadband. The ACP ended in April 2024 due to a lack of additional funding from the U.S. Congress.
