Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary Dennis Hightower today announced that Wisconsin will invest $28.7 million to expand broadband Internet access throughout rural parts of the state.

The state will receive $22.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (federal stimulus) funds to help provide high-speed Internet access to 467 sites in more than 380 communities in all the state's 72 counties.

"High-speed Internet access is critical to the success of our state's entrepreneurs, businesses, students and families," Doyle said. "This project will create jobs to lay and install fiber cable, for telecommunications contractors and technicians, and in fields like construction, manufacturing, masonry and electrical wiring. Through the Recovery Act, the Obama administration is making major investments in Wisconsin's broadband infrastructure to help our schools and libraries access high-speed Internet."

Wisconsin is receiving one of several national Recovery Act grants for broadband development. The state's project will expand broadband Internet access to 74 schools, eight post-secondary schools including two tribal colleges, and 385 libraries. Eighty-four percent of the school districts and colleges receiving the grant are in rural areas.

More than 200 miles of fiber optic cable will be installed, and more than $10 million will be spent on American-made telecommunications equipment and materials.

Extending fiber to the 467 sites will allow for future expansion of broadband throughout the state.

Ninety percent of the sites are within five miles of a police station and 88 percent of sites are within five miles of a fire station, which has the potential to improve communication and coordination during disaster situations;

More than 90 percent of the sites are within 20 miles of the nearest hospital, which may be useful in improving the integration and sharing of electronic medical records, and more than 125,000 households are within the market area of these sites, helping families gain access to broadband.

The Wisconsin Department of Administration will administer the grant, which will provide fiber connections to all schools and libraries on the BadgerNet Converged Network served by the BadgerNet Alliance.

The state will invest $5.7 million in matching funds from the Technology for Education Achievement (TEACH) program for $28.7 million in total investment.

To view a list of schools and libraries that will benefit from the grant, visit http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=19044&locid=19.