FW: [WI DPI WeTECH] USDA Launches New Program to Create High...

[Sheila Nyberg]

Take a look – lets discuss this opportunity

 

Sheila Nyberg, Executive Director

Clark County Economic Development Corporation

And Tourism Bureau

301 N. Main St.

P.O. Box 236

Loyal, WI   54446

715-255-9151

cell 715-305-7222

http://www.clarkcountywi.org

 

 

From: Rick Marks <mar...@granton.k12.wi.us>
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2018 4:14 PM
To: Sheila Nyberg <she...@clarkcountyedc.org>
Subject: Fwd: [WI DPI WeTECH] USDA Launches New Program to Create High...

 

We need to get on this...

 

Rick Marks

Granton

 

715 238-5140

 

 

 

 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Google+ (Bill Herman) <noreply...@plus.google.com>
Date: Fri, Dec 14, 2018 at 2:58 PM
Subject: [WI DPI WeTECH] USDA Launches New Program to Create High...
To: <mar...@granton.k12.wi.us>

 

Bill Herman shared a post with WI DPI WeTECH

 

Bill Herman: USDA Launches New Program to Create High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity in Rural America https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/2224fbf   USDA Launches New Program to Create High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity in Rural America View post

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[Joshua Klingbeil]

Just an FYI and a few thoughts. 

 

Projects funded through this initiative must serve communities with fewer than 20,000 people with no broadband service or where service is slower than 10 megabits per second (mbps) download and 1 mbps upload.

https://broadbandnow.com/Wisconsin/Granton

So depending on how far this new iteration of the expired USDA Community Connect Grants can be stretched out of small municipalities into their outlying rural areas as "communities" ... it may be feasible to secure loans at least for certain project types.  A partnership with existing providers like Country Wireless or maybe even CellCom (can try with Charter or TDS but not likely to happen).

Jill Hietpas may be able to share the contact info for a Cell Com rep whose name I do not recall but who seems relatively friendly to small business and rural regions.  A CellCom / Granton SD / Community Library partnership to generally expand LTE based coverage in the Granton region and to ensure low/no cost LTE service access for school (eg one to one devices in homes) network/resources/limited internet access could be a winner.  If such a path (or any other possible path) is discovered to be feasible enough to reach fruition, it could probably replicate or extend to other areas outlying Clark County municipalities.

Could replace CellCom with Country Wireless and LTE for whatever bands Country Wireless uses in the above if CellCom isn't feasible. 

Also, this could be used a catalyst for an Electric Co-op centered project (also mostly covering areas outlying the municipalities).  

Ultimately, it looks a lot like a rebirth (even in the program title ... "ReConnect") of a resource that was in play before.  I'm sure there are plenty of nuance differences, and there may be some bigger differences (I haven't jump full into the research yet).  I don't mean for that to be resistant or negative, just keeping a view of reality in the lens. My point in mentioning all that is that it is local will, advocacy, and leadership that sustains these efforts.  With it, a funding resource like this is just one of many tools which might help with a plan... without it, a funding resource like this ends up looking more like a perpetually out of reach carrot.

I'm certainly happy to help support local advocates and leadership work toward actionable projects, to the extent possible.

Cheers!

Joshua Klingbeil  -  CIO

Wisconsin Valley Library Service

I have learned that when I am able to empty my mind of 

                                preconception, predisposition, and prejudice...  
                 ... what remains is possibility!

It's easy to answer "No! And here's why not..." 
                It's empowering to answer "Yes! Now let's figure out how..."

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[Chris Straight]

Hi Sheila,

 

As an FYI, there is a webinar tomorrow on this new USDA program:

 

Technical Assistance Webinars Available for USDA ReConnect Program

The ReConnect Program offers loans, grants, and combined loans/grants to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America without sufficient access to broadband.

• The awards made under this program will bring high-speed broadband to rural areas that lack sufficient access to broadband.

• The delivery of broadband connection and high-quality service will enable technologies critical to rural communities, such as precision agriculture.

• The pilot program will fuel long-term economic development and opportunities in rural America.

 

Informational Webinar, Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 2:00 pm EST

This introductory webinar will provide a high-level overview of the funding opportunity available under the ReConnect Program. USDA Rural Development staff will discuss types of funding available, eligibility provisions, notice of proposed service area, and evaluation factors. To join the webinar, click here.

 

 

Have a happy holidays!

 

Chris Straight, Senior Planner

West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

715-836-2918, Ext. 16

--

[Sheila Nyberg]

We want to hold a meeting ASAP – to look at this funding for our area.  When cam we get together here in Loyal WI – or do a conference call to plan steps to get funding for our county – especially in light of the new medical campus with all their satellites being build here??

[Sheila Nyberg]

Here is the info on the Webinar tomorrow – Thursday the 20^th at 2PM

 

How do we circle around this opportunity – and create a plan??

 

Who can take the lead?

[Sheila Nyberg]

I encourage everyone in our group and others beyond this closed group to tune in to the Webinar tomorrow at 2PM Dec. 20^th

 

We have an awful lot of new development in the planning stages here in Clark – and this information and broadband – is crucial to our growth.  (the new developments include a 40M new Medical campus west of the river/west of Neillsville on HWY 10 – with satellites in Greenwood and Loyal – it is absolutely necessary for them to have bb – as part of this new state of the art facility!)

 

Please tune in – then we will host a conference call or a face to face meeting in early January – to decide a plan of action for our county.

 

Sheila Nyberg, Executive Director

Clark County Economic Development Corporation

And Tourism Bureau

301 N. Main St.

P.O. Box 236

Loyal, WI   54446

715-255-9151

cell 715-305-7222

http://www.clarkcountywi.org

 

 

From: Jill Hietpas <jillh...@wiscnet.net>
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2018 8:56 AM
To: Webb, Robert <Bob....@nsight.com>
Cc: Joshua Klingbeil <c...@wvls.org>; Sheila Nyberg <she...@clarkcountyedc.org>; Chris Straight <ch...@wcwrpc.org>
Subject: FW: [WI DPI WeTECH] USDA Launches New Program to Create High...

 

Good Morning Bob and All,

 

I wanted to include you on this email distribution as conversation happening in Clark County via our members and a Broadband Group formed by Sheila Clark, Economic Development Director for the county. Per our recent discussion at last week’s CAN Advisory regarding grant/loan opportunities and how to engage private providers in CAN conversations as well as Josh Klingbeil’s insight and ideas below, want to connect you in the event this is something Cell Com/Nsight has looked into and/or has interest. Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated.

 

I’ve copied Josh and Sheila on this correspondence but know Shiela has a robust mailing list in which this was originally sent so otehrs may also be interested in any response/opportunities.

 

Also note there is a webinar in which information was forwarded by Chris Straight, Regional Planning Commission that supports some other areas that you may have spectrum. I’ve copied Chris as well.

 

Informational Webinar, Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 2:00 pm EST

This introductory webinar will provide a high-level overview of the funding opportunity available under the ReConnect Program. USDA Rural Development staff will discuss types of funding available, eligibility provisions, notice of proposed service area, and evaluation factors. To join the webinar, click here.

 

 

 

Jill Hietpas, Community Area Network Liaison

Marketing and Communications

jillh...@wiscnet.net

Phone: 608.210.3956

http://www.wiscnet.net

Upcoming Events: http://www.wiscnet.net/events/

 

 

From: Joshua Klingbeil <c...@wvls.org>
Date: Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 12:58 AM
To: "cc...@googlegroups.com" <cc...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: Sheila Nyberg <she...@clarkcountyedc.org>, Jill Hietpas <jillh...@wiscnet.net>, Kay Heiting <dire...@granton.lib.wi.us>
Subject: Re: FW: [WI DPI WeTECH] USDA Launches New Program to Create High...

 

Just an FYI and a few thoughts. 

 

 

Projects funded through this initiative must serve communities with fewer than 20,000 people with no broadband service or where service is slower than 10 megabits per second (mbps) download and 1 mbps upload.

 

https://broadbandnow.com/Wisconsin/Granton

 

So depending on how far this new iteration of the expired USDA Community Connect Grants can be stretched out of small municipalities into their outlying rural areas as "communities" ... it may be feasible to secure loans at least for certain project types.  A partnership with existing providers like Country Wireless or maybe even CellCom (can try with Charter or TDS but not likely to happen).

 

Jill Hietpas may be able to share the contact info for a Cell Com rep whose name I do not recall but who seems relatively friendly to small business and rural regions.  A CellCom / Granton SD / Community Library partnership to generally expand LTE based coverage in the Granton region and to ensure low/no cost LTE service access for school (eg one to one devices in homes) network/resources/limited internet access could be a winner.  If such a path (or any other possible path) is discovered to be feasible enough to reach fruition, it could probably replicate or extend to other areas outlying Clark County municipalities.

 

Could replace CellCom with Country Wireless and LTE for whatever bands Country Wireless uses in the above if CellCom isn't feasible. 

 

Also, this could be used a catalyst for an Electric Co-op centered project (also mostly covering areas outlying the municipalities).  

 

Ultimately, it looks a lot like a rebirth (even in the program title ... "ReConnect") of a resource that was in play before.  I'm sure there are plenty of nuance differences, and there may be some bigger differences (I haven't jump full into the research yet).  I don't mean for that to be resistant or negative, just keeping a view of reality in the lens. My point in mentioning all that is that it is local will, advocacy, and leadership that sustains these efforts.  With it, a funding resource like this is just one of many tools which might help with a plan... without it, a funding resource like this ends up looking more like a perpetually out of reach carrot.

 

I'm certainly happy to help support local advocates and leadership work toward actionable projects, to the extent possible.

 

Cheers!

 

Joshua Klingbeil  -  CIO

Wisconsin Valley Library Service

 

I have learned that when I am able to empty my mind of 

                                preconception, predisposition, and prejudice...  
                 ... what remains is possibility!

 

It's easy to answer "No! And here's why not..." 
                It's empowering to answer "Yes! Now let's figure out how..."