U.S. Senator Herb Kohl today called Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to push for broadband funding for Wisconsin. As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Kohl provided $2.5 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utility Service's (RUS) Broadband Program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.         

"I often hear from constituents about the need for quality high speed internet – particularly in the northern part of the state.  Access to quality broadband is vitally important to economic development in rural areas.  I believe it's the single most important tool we have to help improve the rural economy," Kohl said.  

The RUS Broadband Program aims to expand access to affordable and reliable service in rural areas.  Broadband is viewed as important for economic development because it enables existing business to compete on a global scale and it can attract new businesses that create job opportunities in rural areas.  It also helps improve the quality of life for rural citizens by allowing them to participate in e-commerce while improving health care delivery and expanding educational opportunities.   

According to USDA, $1.458 billion of the funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been awarded to construct 105 broadband projects in 37 states and one territory.  In June USDA announced two projects in Wisconsin were awarded funding to provide broadband service in rural Adams, Marquette and Sauk Counties.