On July 8, the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin hosted the 2014 Broadband Planning Symposium. The symposium is part of the LinkWISCONSIN initiative to increase Wisconsin’s competitiveness through the availability, adoption, and use of broadband technology. The event provided the opportunity for broadband stakeholders across the state to explore how broadband is changing in Wisconsin and share perspectives on the need and expansion of broadband.

The daylong event kicked off with a welcome from PSC Chairperson Phil Montgomery and a keynote address by Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor, Rebecca Kleefisch, highlighting the importance of broadband expansion to economic development. The symposium hosted Danielle Jones from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation along with Sen. Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) and Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) in a panel discussion. Ray Cross, newly appointed UW – System President, also gave a keynote address.

See the full program here.

In mid-July, Lieutenant Governor Kleefish and PSC Broadband State Director Dr. Tithi Chattopadhyay announced the winners of the 2014 Broadband Expansion Grants, adding up to $500,000. Grant winners are located in Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire, Grant, Iowa, Oneida, Vilas, and Wood counties. Many of the projects involve extending broadband services to residents in rural northern Wisconsin, as well as connecting schools and hospitals in the eastern area of the state.