Planning Grant Programs
BEAD Local Planning Grant Program
The BEAD Local Planning Grant Program provided formula funding to counties, regional economic development organizations, and Tribes to support broadband planning efforts related to development of the BEAD Five-Year Action Plan, and implementation of the BEAD Initial Proposal. Local planning includes outreach initiatives, needs assessments, formation of partnerships with internet service providers, and other efforts to prepare for deployment of BEAD funding. The program is administered under the docket
5-BP-2023, which contains information about ongoing progress for each program participant.
Local Planning Grant Administration Information:
Projects & Reimbursements in the Grants System:
Webinar Recording,
Webinar Slides
BEAD Local Planning Grant Program Budget and Overview
BEAD Local Planning Grant Program Interim Report
Interim reports are due quarterly on the following schedule for the reporting period specified. Due Date (Reporting Period).
June 19, 2023, 4:00pm CT (2/1/23 – 6/19/23)
January 16, 2024, 4:00pm CT (6/20/23 – 12/31/23)
July 15, 2024, 4:00pm CT (1/1/24 – 6/30/24)
January 15, 2025, 4:00pm CT (7/1/24 – 12/31/24)
May 31, 2025, 4:00pm CT (1/1/25 – 5/1/25)
Digital Equity Outreach Grant Program
The Digital Equity Outreach Grant enabled participants to conduct outreach and engagement activities to inform Wisconsin’s planning for digital equity and broadband. The program was administered under the docket
5-BP-2023, which contains information about applications, awards, and the results of funded grant projects. The results of the Digital Equity Outreach Planning Grant Program informed and contributed to the Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan.
See here for a summary of Digital Equity Outreach Awards.
BEAD Workforce Planning Grant Program
The BEAD Workforce Planning grant enabled participants to conduct planning for workforce development, including evaluating workforce needs and developing strategies to improve workforce readiness in anticipation of BEAD deployment funding. The program was administered under the docket
5-BP-2023, which contains information about applications, awards, and the results of funded grant projects. The results of the BEAD Workforce Planning Grant Program informed and contributed to the BEAD Five-Year Action Plan.
See here for a summary of BEAD Workforce Planning Awards.
For questions related to these planning grant programs, please contact PSCStateBroadbandOffice@wisconsin.gov.
Outreach and Engagement Activities
Internet for All Wisconsin Listening Tour
In Spring 2023, Governor Evers, together with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, hosted the Internet for All Wisconsin Listening Tour, a series of nine in-person and two virtual interactive meetings to help develop the state 5-year Action Plan and state Digital Equity Plan. These events were an opportunity for the public to share their experiences, ideas, and vision for a more connected Wisconsin. Participants learned about the two Internet for All programs: BEAD and Digital Equity Planning, being administered by the Commission. A summary report from the listening tour is available here.
Internet for All: Connecting Wisconsin Kick-Off Event
On October 25th, 2022, the NTIA and PSC hosted an Internet for All: Connecting Wisconsin Kickoff event in Wausau, WI. The event was developed in a partnership between the PSC and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Office of Rural Prosperity, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, and the Educational Communications Board.
This day-long event brought together critical stakeholders in Wisconsin from state and local governments, Tribal communities, federal agencies, and industry to discuss coordination on high-speed Internet infrastructure deployment and digital equity efforts as the state prepares to implement programs from the BIL and launch Wisconsin's Internet for All initiative under the BIL. Connecting everyone in Wisconsin to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service is critical to the overall success of the state, ensuring the health and well-being of residents and a strong state economy. This event provided an opportunity for us to discuss ways we can work together to efficiently and effectively utilize these dollars to achieve the highest possible level of high-speed Internet deployment and adoption.