PSC releases draft broadband investment plan

MADISON — The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin appointed 14 community leaders from the area to the Broadband Planning Team representing northwest Wisconsin.

The team represents Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn Counties. After preliminary work and numerous meetings, the team has drafted a preliminary plan and now seeks public comments.

The team has been meeting regularly since last winter to create the action plan to address gaps in broadband availability and improve the adoption of available services. The draft plan is designed to enhance the regional economic development by utilizing broadband to expand health care access to the region.

The team seeks public review and input on the draft, available online at www.link.wisconsin.gov.

For those who may not presently have Internet access, the plan can be reviewed by accessing the Internet at local libraries and other public locations in the region.

To comment on the plan, go to www.wisconsindashboard.org/node/288 and click on “Comment.” You may also direct your comments to Pete Jahn at the PSC at peter.jahn@wisconsin.gov or (608) 267-2338.

For more information on team members and the process to date visit www.link.wisconsin.gov/lwi/default.aspx?page=43.

The planning effort is part of the PSC’s larger LinkWisconsin initiative, which includes mapping broadband availability under a federal stimulus grant. The broadband map is available at http://wi.linkamericadata.org.

Plans for other regions of the state will be available in the near future, and can be reviewed at www.link.wisconsin.gov/lwi/default.aspx?page=52.

Questions on the draft plan can be addressed to Cliff Grand, Ashland Area Development Corporation at (715) 682-8344, or William Kuykendall, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin at (715) 247-5612. Questions about the regional broadband planning efforts can be addressed by Jahn or Bill Gillis with LinkWisconsin at (509) 432-4243 or bill.gillis@gmail.com.

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