Portage County is in line for more than $4 million in state funding to expand broadband internet access.
The money comes from a $58 million statewide grant round announced by the governor and the Public Service Commission. In Portage County it would support fiber optic service in the Village of Almond and for a group of homes west of Stevens Point.
The fiber expansion is expected to be completed by 2029.
County Executive Eric Olson said providers have to weigh whether extending lines into lower-density areas is worthwhile, and that state grants help make those projects pencil out. He said the funding will help residents and businesses with slow or expensive service.
State officials said demand for this round far exceeded the money available, with applications asking for $100 million more than the commission had to award, and that this is likely the last state broadband money unless a future budget adds more. A separate federally funded BEAD program is also supporting Wisconsin projects.
