Baldwin Delivers $14.8 Million to Wisconsin in Broadband Funding

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin announced that Wisconsin is receiving $14.8 million in federal funds to connect more Wisconsinites to high-speed internet. The grant was awarded to Dairyland Power Cooperative to retrofit more than 240 miles of fiber optic communications to help connect more Wisconsinites in hard-to-reach and unserved areas with fast, affordable broadband. The resources are from the Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, which was created and funded by the Baldwin-supported Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Senator Baldwin also sent a letter of support for the project, saying the grant will help “lower costs and offer high-speed [broadband] options for citizens," in September 2022.

 “I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because it is helping deliver affordable, reliable high-speed internet to Wisconsin families, students, small businesses, and farmers," said Senator Baldwin. “I am so proud to help bring home this investment because affordable and reliable high-speed internet is essential for our kids to learn, small businesses to reach customers, and Wisconsin families to thrive.”

“Electricity and high-speed internet power every aspect of our daily lives,” said Dairyland Power Cooperative President & CEO Brent Ridge. “It is unacceptable that rural populations are disadvantaged by limited access to infrastructure supporting essential services. On behalf of our members, we are thrilled to have received funding to improve quality of life in the communities we serve.”

The Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program provides funding for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure. The grant program aims to expand and extend middle-mile infrastructure to reduce the cost of connecting areas that are unserved or underserved and close the digital divide.

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