Telecommunication access gets help from grant funds

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC or commission), is encouraging eligible organizations to apply for grant funding, to improve the availability of telecommunications services for Wisconsin residents.

The grant funding opportunities include the Non-profit Access Grant Program, the Lifeline Outreach Grant Program and the Telemedicine Grant Program. All three grant programs are funded by the Universal Service Fund, to help Wisconsin residents get essential and advanced telecommunications services.

“Ensuring equitable access to telecommunications services, is a core element of our work at the PSC,” said chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq. “We have seen tremendous success in recent years, to get more Wisconsinites connected, because of programs like these.”

The Non-profit Access Grant Program provides grant funding to non-profit organizations, to facilitate affordable access to essential telecommunications services, including internet access, for low-income households and people with disabilities. This round of the grant will have a two-year performance period. The commission may award $500,000.

Applications are due March 7. The Lifeline Outreach Grant Program improves participation in the Lifeline Program, which helps address affordability challenges, by providing a discount on essential telecommunications services for low-income customers. The commission may award up to $250,000.

The application period opens Feb. 1, and closes at 1:30 March 19.

The Telemedicine Grant Program provides funding to help certain non-profit medical clinics and hospitals, or public health agencies, purchase medical telecommunications equipment, that will promote technologically advanced medical services, enhance access to medical care in rural or underserved areas of the state, to underserved populations or to persons with disabilities.

The commission may award $1 million. The application period opens Feb. 8, and closes April 2.

All applications must be submitted through the PSC’s Grants System, at psc.wi.gov.