Greetings from the Extension Broadband Team!
Welcome to our September broadband update. As communities continue working to maximize the benefits of historic broadband investments, this edition highlights opportunities to engage in UW Madison Extension’s Healthcare and Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age workshops while staying informed on important NTIA developments, including BEAD implementation and Tribal Broadband Connectivity funding. We encourage you to share these resources with broadband and community development partners across your region.
Keep up with the latest news by signing up for the Wisconsin Broadband Office newsletter and the Extension Community Economic Development newsletter.
Please share this resource with your county or community’s broadband stakeholders.
Events
Workshop: Wild Rivers Region Healthcare in the Digital Age Workshop
This workshop will bring together leaders from the Ho-Chunk Nation and Jackson, Clark, Juneau, Trempealeau, and Monroe Counties to discuss emerging trends, regional opportunities, and practical strategies for maximizing the benefits of connectivity. For more information, visit the event page.
Participants will:
- Explore the connection between broadband access and quality healthcare, and how expanded connectivity can transform patient experiences and service delivery.
- Identify opportunities and gaps in connected care to help shape regional priorities for innovation and investment.
- Collaborate on practical solutions that address healthcare service gaps and support equitable access to care throughout the region.
This free workshop is part of a regional effort to create actionable strategies that strengthen communities, improve quality of life, and foster long-term economic resilience. CEUs Available: $15 cash or check accepted on the day of the event; please indicate your interest when registering
October 8, 2026
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.)
Ho-Chunk Nation District 1 Community Center N7261 Warrior Avenue, Black River Falls, WI 54615
Registration: Free (0.6 CEUs Available: $15 cash or check day of)
Interested in hosting this workshop in your region?
Request a Healthcare in the Digital Age workshop for your community
We’re scheduling a limited number of these workshops for fall and early 2027. If you are interested in bringing this to your area, please visit the workshop’s page for more information and to apply.
Latest Opportunity: Host an Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age Workshop in your Region
Next in our workshop series, Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age is a free workshop from UW–Madison Division of Extension’s broadband programming initiative. As Wisconsin communities benefit from unprecedented investment in broadband infrastructure, this workshop brings together entrepreneurs, local leaders, lenders, and support organizations to explore how that connectivity can fuel new businesses, strengthen local economies, and build stronger regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. For more information visit the event page.
Extension anticipates selecting two host locations across Wisconsin for workshops to be held between November 2026 and May 2027.
Wisconsin Digital Navigator Network
The Wisconsin Digital Navigator Network is a statewide community of practitioners who support digital opportunity across the state. The Network took a break during the summer, and will resume meetings in October. Meetings occur monthly (4th Tuesday at 2:00 PM) and feature speakers, resource-sharing, such as digital skills lessons, internet safety content, and program guides that can be adapted for local use. If you work with community members on devices, connectivity, or online skills, reach out to us to get connected with the network!
Get Ready for Digital Inclusion Week 2026
Digital Inclusion Week (October 5–9, 2026) is a national celebration highlighting efforts to close the digital divide. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has released planning toolkits — including social media and press outreach resources – to help organizations host events, run campaigns, and share their digital equity successes. Check out the full toolkit and get involved at digitalinclusion.org/diw26
Wisconsin Broadband Office & National Telecommunications and Information Administration Updates
NTIA Opens Second BEAD Funding Opportunity for Missed Locations NTIA has announced a supplemental BEAD process to connect unserved locations that were missed during the original planning process because of provider defaults, inaccurate service claims, or updates to FCC broadband maps. States will review newly identified locations, conduct a streamlined challenge process, and run a second round of provider selection for approved sites. For communities, local governments, and broadband providers, this means some locations previously left out of BEAD plans may still have a path to funding, although the additional steps will add more time to the deployment timeline. See the September 3, 2026 NTIA press release for more information.
NTIA: Updated BEAD FAQ published August, 2026
The NTIA released version 23 of the BEAD FAQ in August, 2026. The latest update to the FAQ builds upon the previous versions with revised content related to the 2025 BEAD Restructure Policy Notice, updated timelines, and implementation details.
ICYMI – Wisconsin Broadband Office Information About BEAD
For the most up-to-date BEAD information, be sure to subscribe to the docket 5-BD-2025 on the PSC’s Electronic Records Filing system (ERF).
State Broadband Expansion Grant Program – Update The PSC also opened a new round of its State Broadband Expansion Grant Program this year, making $60 million available to fund broadband construction in unserved communities – specifically areas lacking speeds of 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload. The application window (docket 5-BF-2026) closed July 27, 2026, but you can track project details through the newsletter and docket system.
Please continue to check the NTIA’s website on BEAD webpage, along with updates from Wisconsin Broadband Office and our Extension Broadband Team as we continue to share updates on BEAD related news.
Funding Opportunities
| Funding Opportunity | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Board of Commissioners of Public Lands Loan Program – For public purpose projects including economic development, local infrastructure, capital equipment & vehicles, building repairs/improvements, and refinancing existing liabilities. | Rolling |
| NTIA Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Round Three – will make funds available on Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian lands for deployment of Internet infrastructure, affordability programs, telehealth and distance learning initiatives. | November 17, 2026 11:59 AM EST |
| NTIA Native Entities Grant Program – establishes a competitive process to make Grant Funds available to Native Entities to carry out activities consistent with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. | November 17, 2026 11:59 PM EST |
| NDIA 2026 Digital Inclusion Trailblazers – includes municipal, county, or regional governments recognized by NDIA for paving the way for excellent digital inclusion work and providing models for digitally inclusive communities committed to advancing digital equity. | October 16, 2026 |
| Lifeline program for providers – eligible telecommunications providers will be reimbursed for discounts provided to consumers through this program. | None |
| Lifeline program for consumers – provides low-income WI residents discounts for the cost of phone, cell, and internet services. | None |
Broadband Toolkit
We are always updating our toolkit with new or expanded resources. Save this link and come back often!
go.wisc.edu/broadband toolkit
Have a question? Reach out to Extension’s Broadband Team!
