Information from survey may help county secure broadband funding.
All La Crosse County households and businesses are being encouraged to take the Wisconsin Internet Self-Report (WISER) survey to help understand broadband needs in our community. The WISER survey includes an internet speed test and will help to identify areas where internet is not available, too expensive, underperforming, or intimidating to access.
Participate in the WISER survey online HERE or via phone by calling 608-261-6026. The survey should take less than five minutes to complete.
La Crosse County officials have been working to put the county in the best position to win grant funding to improve broadband access across the county. Those efforts include receiving a Broadband Forward Community certification from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, and the establishment of a La Crosse County Broadband Committee. Work is also underway to hire a broadband consultant who can perform a detailed analysis of local broadband needs and assist with complex grant applications. About $42 billion in federal funding is being made available nationwide through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Information from the WISER survey could help strengthen the county’s case to win BEAD funding for areas that need improved broadband connectivity.
“We hope to see participation in the WISER survey from households across La Crosse County,” said Sam Bachmeier, La Crosse County Community Development Specialist. “The more information we receive, the better our chances will be of securing funding to ensure every home and business in our county has access to high-speed internet.”
The WISER survey is expected to close July 14. The survey is confidential and responses will be visualized in an online mapping tool.