Findings in the 2022 annual report from the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access provided recommendations to expand access, adoption, and affordability of high-speed internet across the state. Recommendations in the 2022 report include:
- Sustain the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program funding to leverage federal funding for projects and support local projects not eligible for federal funding;
- Create a guide to assist communities and local leaders in broadband and digital equity planning efforts;
- Create technical assistance programs to guide communities in developing broadband plans and navigating funding opportunities;
- Encourage and support coordination with Tribal governments in broadband planning, resources deployment, and funding;
- Develop a statewide Digital Navigator Program to assist under-connected people and solve a wide range of adoption issues;
- Develop and improve outreach for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program; and
- Continue advancing the goals from the 2021 Task Force Report.
In July 2020, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #80 creating the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access. Since 2019, Wisconsin has disbursed or committed nearly $300 million towards expanding broadband, including $105 million in federal funding directed by Evers. State and federal funds allocated for broadband grants have provided or will provide more than 387,000 homes and businesses access to new or improved services.
