News
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has awarded nearly $58 million to expand access to high-speed internet in unserved communities through the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program.
By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
November 12, 2026
Dozens of on-paper broadband projects in Wisconsin will become a reality after they received grant awards to connect thousands of unserved locations through the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program.
A release this month from the office of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says the projects are intended to close gaps by reaching locations not served by the federally funded BEAD Program.
“These 2026 State Broadband Expansion Grant awards further the historic progress made to bridge our state’s digital divide,” said Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairperson Summer Strand, speaking in comments included with the November 5 release. “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.”
In totality, the PSC said they received 93 applications, requesting more than $160 million.
“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 release stated.
A full list of grant recipients is available on the PSC’s website.
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