Economic Development

Cap Times: See where rural broadband is (and isn’t) available in Wisconsin

Jessica Reilly · Dec 8, 2022 ·

As federal regulators prepare to publish a new map showing where broadband internet is and isn’t available across the U.S., Madison-area internet advocates are urging residents to check the draft themselves.

Unveiled in November, the “pre-production draft” of the Federal Communications Commission map is the most detailed and current federal map of internet accessibility, according to an announcement issued last week by the Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP). The eight-county economic development group is now encouraging residents to enter their addresses in the online interactive map and notify the FCC if the internet in their area doesn’t match what’s shown on the map.

“If it does not, we have a brief window to challenge that finding,” said Gene Dalhoff, vice president of talent and education at MadREP. “If areas are incorrectly finalized as having access they do not, it will jeopardize the Madison Region’s ability to access federal support for broad infrastructure.”

That federal support includes a share of the more than $42 billion that was set aside for internet expansion under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Corrections to the map must be submitted by Jan. 13, 2023, before those dollars are allocated.

This isn’t the first time MadREP has sought to mobilize the public to gather information about internet access in the region. Last year, the group released its own internet speed test for Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock, and Sauk counties. The test is designed to provide data that the agency and its partners can use to seek improvements to internet infrastructure where they’re needed most

Much of rural America — and some urban and suburban areas — doesn’t have internet fast and reliable enough to meet the federal definition of broadband, which requires download speeds of 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of 3 megabits per second.

For years it’s been hard to say just how big the problem is, since the prior Federal Communications Commission maps that are typically used to assess coverage were based on data by U.S. Census Bureau tract, a geographic unit that can include as many as 8,000 people. A single tract can include homes with fast internet through a cable or fiber connection, as well as homes still connecting to the internet with a dial-up modem.

“If you have one address in a census block that has tremendous broadband, they’re going to apply those results to the entire census block. So this creates very, very misleading maps,” Dalhoff said last year.

If governments or service providers consult those flawed maps to determine where to develop new broadband infrastructure, Dalhoff said, “it could be that 99% of the people are kind of left out in the cold.” In Wisconsin, the Public Service Commission estimates that around 800,000 people, or 14% of the state’s population, don’t have the infrastructure needed for broadband — twice the figure the prior FCC maps suggested.

The new maps will offer a more detailed and current view, showing the fixed and mobile broadband options available at individual addresses, as reported by internet service providers.

“As we often say, access to broadband is vital for economic success,” said MadREP president and CEO Jason Fields. “Now is another opportunity for Wisconsinites to contribute to a broadband solution.”

Article originally published on captimes.com.

WCLO: 12/5/22…Info on Broadband

Jessica Reilly · Dec 5, 2022 ·

MadREP’s Vice President of Talent and Education, Gene Dalhoff, joins WCLO with details on the group’s efforts to collect accurate data on underserved areas in both urban and rural communities in our Region for the last year. Gene announces an opportunity for Wisconsinites to contribute to a broadband solution.

Wondering about next steps? First, check your speed with MadREP’s speed test and compare it to the national map.

Broadband Update: FCC Accepting Correction Challenges for New National Broadband Map

Jessica Reilly · Nov 29, 2022 ·

On Friday, November 18th the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unveiled the “pre-production draft” of the new national broadband map. This new map is the most detailed and current federal map of where broadband is and is not accessible throughout the country.

What information is included on the map?
The map displays address-level availability and data (as self-reported by internet service providers) for fixed and mobile broadband as well as data aggregated to larger areas – e.g., state, county, census place, and congressional district. Data can be examined by exploring the map’s digital interface or by searching by state or address. The map also displays coverage data by provider.

How does this affect you and your community?
In cases where the draft broadband map indicates broadband speeds that are not actually being observed at specific locations, it is important to challenge the results being presented on the map. Failure to do so could jeopardize a community’s ability to secure a portion of the more than $42 Billion set aside for broadband expansion under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Simply put, if the speeds indicated on the map are incorrect for a location and you want to improve local broadband access, it is very important to challenge the results.

How to submit a challenge/ correction:
The FCC is seeking help to improve the data on the map by asking communities and individuals to submit a challenge or request a correction. These are 3 types of challenges: availability challenges, mobile availability challenges, and location challenges. More information on the challenge process can be found on the, How to Use the FCC’s National Broadband Map help page.

How does this affect you and your community?
In cases where the draft broadband map indicates broadband speeds that are not being observed at specific locations, it is important to challenge the results being presented on the map. Failure to do so could jeopardize a community’s ability to secure a portion of the more than $42 billion set aside for broadband expansion under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Due Date
To ensure valid challenges are incorporated into the map before federal funding allocations are made, the public are encouraged to submit challenges by January 13, 2023.

Source: Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

Hundreds Gathered at Monona Terrace to Celebrate Economic Development + Diversity

Jessica Reilly · Sep 2, 2022 ·

The 2022 Madison Region Economic & Development Diversity Summit returned for an in-person summit for the first time since 2019. After a three year wait, the Madison Region Economic Partnership and the Urban League of Madison gathered professionals from the Madison Region together to discuss pressing topics at the intersection of diversity & inclusion and economic development.

The 9th annual summit featured nationally renowned keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions, and thought-provoking conversations that inspired, educated, and challenged attendees on issues of workforce, community, and economic development.

The morning was kicked off by the first keynote speaker, the award-winning novelist and poet Javier Ávila, who performed his one-man show “The Trouble with My Name.” The performance incorporated comedy, poetry, and clever storytelling highlighting the American Latino experience and the difficulties he faced when relocating from his native Puerto Rico to the unfamiliar state of Pennsylvania. The performance provides a fascinating perspective of American Latinos who struggle to dispel misconceptions about their identity and place in the world. One of the biggest difficulties he faced was having his name pronounced correctly by his peers. Dr. Ávila informed attendees that names, like our culture and our heritage, matter too much to live in ignorance.

In between speakers several breakout sessions were held by economic development leaders of the Madison Region. Topics covered included racial disparities in home ownership, addressing cultural conflict in the workplace, creating spaces for people to thrive, financial literacy in the workplace, providing equitable career-based learning, and the South Madison renaissance.

The day was capped off by an energetic keynote presentation from Justin Jones-Fosu, CEO of Work. Meaningful. Justin taught attendees how to apply everyday diversity that leads to collaboration and innovation on a deeper level. We can leverage the power of listening to appreciate and apply different perspectives that create sustainable cultures of high-performance amongst employees in the workplace.

If you missed out on this highly educational and inspirational experience, we hope you’ll join us for the 10th annual Madison Region Economic Development & Diversity Summit in May of 2023!

WCLO: Rock County Jumpstart hosts Black Business Month luncheon

Jessica Reilly · Jul 22, 2022 ·

WCLO

Rock County’s black businesses accelerator is highlighting the good work done by local individuals to foster the growth of Black and Latino-owned businesses.

Rock County Jumpstart Executive Director Genia Stevens says Madison Region Economic Partnership President and CEO Jason Fields will be the keynote speaker for the annual Black Business Luncheon.

Stevens says the event will take place at noon on August 12th at the Beloit Historical Society.

Stevens says several awards will be given out, including the Legacy Award, Business of the Year, Lotus Award, Peer Mentor of the Year, and Mentor of the Year.

While the tickets – which include lunch from Backyard Barbecue – are free, they do need to be reserved in advance on the Rock County Jump Start website.

Originally published on wclo.com.

Reserve Tickets Here

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