Pierce County Economic Development is looking for help getting broadband expanded in Western Wisconsin.

Pierce County Economic Development issued the following plea to county residents:

Wisconsin Deserves to Thrive

The lack of broadband in rural Wisconsin is creating a digital divide. Even before COVID-19, rural Wisconsin needed broadband, COVID-19 only magnified the issue. Schools, healthcare, agriculture and business all depend on connectivity. Wisconsin lacks broadband in 271,000 homes._ Rural Development Opportunity Fund, or RDOF, is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) funding opportunity that auctions off census blocks for the purpose of providing high-speed internet / broadband. The FCC has determined areas where broadband is lacking, primarily in rural America._ A reverse auction is held starting at the FCC defined reserve price. In Pierce, Pepin, and St. Croix Counties this fund could provide over $40 million to build broadband to interested entities.

We request your assistance in contacting United States Senate and House of Representatives delegation to support the following bills: Senate Bill 4201 (S.4201)_- Directs the FCC to take immediate action to distribute funds currently allocated for the Rural Development Opportunity Fund (RDOF) to entities who are willing to provide Gigabit service in rural America.

House Bill 7022 (H.R.7022)_- Directs the FCC to take immediate action with respect to the FCC RDOF auction and accelerates funding to entities willing to provide Gigabit service in rural America.

This is a significant opportunity that could launch western Wisconsin forward. This bill would help provide 100% funding to many areas.

The FCC auction is set to occur in late October 2020; however, the funds will not be distributed until late Summer 2021 and entities would not be required to start construction until much later. This bill pushes forward the timeline, releasing funds by October 2020 with construction starting by April 2021. The bill specifically targets 100% funding for entities willing to provide Gigabit download speed and limits services that do not provide adequate speeds._ The funding provided by the FCC is already available, this requires no new congressional spending. The money is effectively in a bank account and is ready for distribution.

This is bipartisan introduced legislation. This benefits rural America and bridges the digital divide. Both parties have stated they intend to bring broadband to every household. This is a win for our communities._ The bill not only speeds up the timeline for funding, but it also ensures satellite, fixed wireless or tier 1 carriers do not simply bid down the reserve price. Entities receiving funding under this must perform by providing Gigabit service and must begin construction with 180 days. Fiber that can deliver Gigabit speed broadband is 10 – 100x more than what most people have today, but in the next 5 – 7 years, it will be the baseline requirement for connectivity speeds._ Supporting this and encouraging members of Congress to sign-on, is supporting connecting the communities of western Wisconsin. Indicate your support for this legislation by completing the form at_https://bit.ly/GORuralBroadbandNOW.___A personalized letter will be sent on your behalf to your Congressional representatives.

By encouraging your Wisconsin delegation to sign-on to this bill, it will ensure broadband funds are made available to those companies truly interested in delivering high-speed internet to Pierce, Pepin, and St. Croix Counties where highspeed internet service does not exist.