Our Work
WIndicators: The Impact of Housing Financial Stress and Food Insecurity on Rural Health
Chronic diseases are the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S., and in rural America the problem is getting worse. In 2023, rural counties had higher rates of chronic disease than urban counties (Figure 1). Between 2010 and 2022, the gap in leading chronic disease causes of death widened between the most rural and the most urban counties (García et al., 2024). Wisconsin faces trends similar to those in rural areas nationally. As the chronic health gaps continue to grow, it is increasingly important to understand what drives rural health outcomes and how it impacts rural livability.
WIndicators: Sharing Livability: Assessing the Link Between Rural and Urban Prosperity
Those who live and work in rural Wisconsin often champion the attributes that make rural different from their view of big cities. In fact, there is a certain degree of pride in positioning rural as distinctly separate from urban. Yet, we know from an economic perspective that rural and urban places are intertwined: inputs to many urban businesses are supplied by firms in rural areas, rural residents often shop in nearby urban areas, and commuting often ties rural workers to urban employment centers as well as urban workers to rural communities through reverse commuting. This interconnectedness not only blurs the line between rural and urban, but it also has implications for community economic development, especially in rural contexts.
What’s Next in Wisconsin Broadband, June 2026
Latest Wisconsin Broadband News from UW-Madison Extension’s Broadband Team. Contains updates on the preliminary Wisconsin BEAD Awardees Map, upcoming webinar on BEAD 2025 changes, updates from the Wisconsin Broadband Office and NTIA, and other resources.
What’s Next in Wisconsin Broadband, March 2026
Latest Wisconsin Broadband News from UW-Madison Extension’s Broadband Team. Contains updates on the preliminary Wisconsin BEAD Awardees Map, upcoming webinar on BEAD 2025 changes, updates from the Wisconsin Broadband Office and NTIA, and other resources.
What’s Next in Wisconsin Broadband, Special Alert February 2026
Latest Wisconsin Broadband News from UW-Madison Extension’s Broadband Team. Contains updates on the preliminary Wisconsin BEAD Awardees Map, upcoming webinar on BEAD 2025 changes, updates from the Wisconsin Broadband Office and NTIA, and other resources.
What’s Next in Wisconsin Broadband, February 2026
Latest Wisconsin Broadband News from UW-Madison Extension’s Broadband Team. Contains updates on the preliminary Wisconsin BEAD Awardees Map, upcoming webinar on BEAD 2025 changes, updates from the Wisconsin Broadband Office and NTIA, and other resources.
What’s Next in Wisconsin Broadband, December 2025
Latest Wisconsin Broadband News from UW-Madison Extension’s Broadband Team. Contains updates on the preliminary Wisconsin BEAD Awardees Map, upcoming webinar on BEAD 2025 changes, updates from the Wisconsin Broadband Office and NTIA, and other resources.
What’s Next in Wisconsin Broadband, November 2025 –
Latest Wisconsin Broadband News from UW-Madison Extension’s Broadband Team. Contains updates on the preliminary Wisconsin BEAD Awardees Map, upcoming webinar on BEAD 2025 changes, updates from the Wisconsin Broadband Office and NTIA, and other resources.
Broadband Expansion in Wisconsin: Case Studies – Page 3
Click on each link to read the full case study. Taylor County’s Bold Broadband Approach: BuildingInfrastructure First See how Taylor County funded its own broadband infrastructure—using $9.5 million in county dollars, a revenue-sharing model, and strategic partnerships to connect schools, municipalities, and rural residents. Learn about this case study cascase Lakes, Land and Lightning Speed: […]
Broadband Expansion in Wisconsin: Case Studies – Page 2
Click on each link to read the full case study. Bridging the Digital Divide in Adult Literacy Education Discover how a statewide nonprofit helped adults gain essential tech skills—partnering with libraries, employers, and educators to boost confidence, job readiness, and digital inclusion. Learn about this case study cascase Bridging the Digital Divide: A Regional Approach […]
What’s Next in Wisconsin Broadband, October 2025
Latest Wisconsin Broadband News from UW-Madison Extension’s Broadband Team. Contains updates on the newly approved BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2, Letter of Intent Period webinar and deadlines, funding opportunity webinar, RDOF defaults, engagement and endorsement, and other resources.
What’s Next in Wisconsin Broadband, August 2025
Latest Wisconsin Broadband News from UW-Madison Extension’s Broadband Team. Contains updates on the newly approved BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2, Letter of Intent Period webinar and deadlines, funding opportunity webinar, RDOF defaults, engagement and endorsement, and other resources.