As I’ve traveled across Wisconsin and met with community leaders, small business owners, teachers, healthcare professionals, and everyone in between, one issue has really stuck out: not enough folks have access to high-speed affordable internet.
As I’ve traveled across Wisconsin and met with community leaders, small business owners, teachers, healthcare professionals, and everyone in between, one issue has really stuck out: not enough folks have access to high-speed affordable internet.
From rural communities to urban centers, the lack of high-speed internet access is hindering our economy, hurting public safety, and leaving folks behind. It’s an issue that has been left unaddressed for far too long and languished under the Walker-Kleefisch administration.
As governor, I’ve worked tirelessly to do what’s right for our state and to fix our broadband problem. As a result, we’ve made incredible progress connecting our communities to high-speed internet – a fact not often covered by the conflict-driven mass media.
Here are the facts:
In 2019, after passing the largest high-speed internet investment in state history, Wisconsin expanded access to more than 9,000 small businesses and 150,000 homes, most of which previously did not have access to high-speed internet.
Since then, we’ve kicked our expansion efforts into overdrive in order to meet the increased demand across the state. With state and federal investments, I’m proud to say that we’re on our way to connecting more than 300,000 homes and small businesses with high-speed affordable internet.
Expanding high-speed affordable internet isn’t just good news for small businesses, hospitals, and farms — it’s essential for our kids.
As a lifelong educator, I know how important it is for our kids to have access to the tools they need to succeed. In today’s world, it’s crucially important that students have access to high-speed internet, whether it’s at home or at school, so they can learn new skills, complete homework, and innovate.
At an elementary school in Suamico, I met with students who were learning computer science and coding. None of these amazing lessons would’ve been possible without high-speed internet.
I’ve long said that our state is the best place to live, work, and play. But, if we want to continue doing what’s right for our state, we must continue to connect every Wisconsinite with high-speed internet that’s affordable.
I’m proud of the work that we’ve accomplished so far — but my job isn’t done yet, and I’m going to continue doing what’s right until every Wisconsinite has access to the affordable internet they deserve.
Tony Evers is the Governor of the State of Wisconsin. Learn more about him and his plans for the state at www.TonyEvers.com