Broadband Committee Agenda Packet (pdf)

Notice of Public Meeting Tuesday, October 6, 2026 11:00 a.m. BROADBAND COMMITTEE Door County Government Center Peninsula Room (C121) 1st Floor Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 Virtual Option Also Available Below AGENDA 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Establish a Quorum / Roll Call 3. Adopt Agenda / Properly Noticed 4. Correspondence 5. Public Comment 6. Approve Minutes of the April 7, 2026 Broadband Committee Meeting 7. New Business A. Review of Committee Charter B. Introduction of DCEDC Broadband Lead and Committee Coordinator C. Municipal Dashboard Update D. United Way Device Distribution Plan E. Digital Skill Building – Community Needs and Resources 8. Matters to be Placed on a Future Agenda / Referred to a Committee, Official or Employee 9. Sustainability Matters to be Considered 10. Legislative Matters to be Considered 11. Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, December 1 at 11:00 a.m. 12. Adjourn Deviation from order shown may occur In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person needing assistance to participate in this meeting, should contact the Office of the County Clerk at (920)746 2200. Notification 72 hours prior to a meeting will enable the County to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to that meeting. Virtual Meeting Option This meeting will be held in person, as well as through a virtual option. Members of the public may join the meeting in person or virtually by logging into Zoom through the information below. To attend the meeting via computer or device, please click the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88603041712 ?pwd=2noIE48mTPHIUJpY2XI25LAr5rD Ifh.1 Via telephone, please dial (312) 626-6799 and enter the following information when prompted: Meeting ID: 886 0304 1712 Passcode: 999883 Notice of Public Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2026 11:00 a.m. BROADBAND COMMITTEE Door County Government Center Peninsula Room (C121), 1st floor 421 Nebraska Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI MINUTES 1. Call Meeting to Order. Chairman Hugh Zettel called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. 2. Establish a Quorum ~ Roll Call Members Present: Hugh Zettel, Jeff Miller, Michelle Lawrie, Dominic Frandrup, Jenny Fitzgerald, Nate Bill, James Champion. Not present: Kurt Kiefer. Others Present: Broadband Coordinator Jessica Hatch, and TS Director Jason Rouer. 3. Adopt Agenda / Properly Notice Motion by Champion, seconded by Bell, to adopt the agenda. Motion carried. 4. Correspondence: Hatch passed out document that UW-Extension found in their archives, from a Door county Telecommunications in the ‘90’s. It shows the overlap of conversations started in the 90’s are still going on in a new version today. 5. Public Comment: None. 6. Approve Minutes of the January 8, 2026 Broadband Committee meeting Motion by Miller, seconded by Bell, to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2026 Broadband Committee meeting. Motion carried. 7. New Business (Review / Action) A. Digital Skills Survey Update – UW Extension Partnership update UW-Extension plans to create a stateside survey. Hatch will work with them and keep the committee updated. Lawrie commented on DCEDC’s recent resident survey, which included a question asking if respondents would be interested in training. There were 96 out of 571 respondents who indicated ‘yes’, they would be. B. AT&T/DCEDC/NEW North device distribution event – report Lawrie provided some highlights. AT&T approached DCEDC re: partnering with non-profits to give out 50 devices (refurbished Dells) They did partner with Help of Door County, Sunshine Resources, and Sevastopol School District. All 50 were taken, and an event was held on March 19th. This underscores the partnerships that this committee has with local non-profits. Zettel commented that the real last mile is getting the devices to the people who need them so they can connect. C. Who Carries the Cost of Digital Transformation? - Discussion The article was included in the packet Discussion held. Zettel asked questions about tracking. Something to ask the State Broadband Office. Hatch said we need data that can support grant funding. A goal is to have a full time digital navigator in the county, under United Way or another NFP. Suggestions: Look where these types of activities are going on; where are all the devices coming from. Libraries are the place where some have their internet access. Gather testimonials – stories and feedback. Also stories from people who have saved money … the competitive point. The ADRC will check with their state agency on adding a box indicating tech support was offered. D. Broadband Nutrition Labels – Discussion Hatch explained that the Broadband Nutrition Labels are intended to provide transparent picture of what you’re paying for and what you’re going to get. They also allow comparison. The labels have been out since 2024 and providers should have these available. It promotes smart decision making for consumers. A handout was included in the packet. The labels include: Monthly price, Introductory rate, length of contract, additional charges and terms. E. FiberNet website disability compliance for 2027- Update This topic is in discussion at this time. 8. Matters to be Placed on a Future Agenda or Referred to a Committee, Official, or Employee Survey Update – Lawrie Status of Digital Skills Survey Update – UW-Extension Partnership 9. Sustainability Matters to be Considered: None 10. Legislative Matters to be Considered: None 11. Next Meeting Date: July 7, 2026, 11:00 a.m. 12. Adjourn: Motion by Lawrie, seconded by Frandrup, to adjourn. Motion carried. Time: 11:56 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Holtz, Administrative Assistant. Broadband Advisory Committee Charter Phase II I. Purpose In its second phase, the Broadband Advisory Committee (“the Committee”) will focus on supporting and accelerating broadband adoption, digital skill building, and broadband education throughout Door County, working in direct collaboration with local municipalities, local not-for-profits, and regional partners. The Committee’s activities will continue to emphasize a decentralized approach, empowering local communities and stakeholders to address unique broadband needs and opportunities. II. Objectives and Expectations The Committee will act as an advisory and coordinating body, providing guidance and recommendations to the Broadband Coordinator, County Administrator, and the County Board on topics including but not limited to: 1. Broadband Adoption • Advise local municipalities on strategies for increasing broadband adoption in homes and businesses. • Identify and address barriers to adoption. 2. Digital Skill Building • Develop and promote programs to increase digital literacy for residents of all ages and skill levels • Facilitate partnerships with schools, libraries, workforce agencies, and community organizations to deliver training and resources. • Encourage integration of digital skills into local workforce development initiatives. 3. Broadband Education • Coordinate ongoing education campaigns for citizens, businesses, and public entities about: o The benefits of broadband connectivity, o Safe and responsible use of technology, o Opportunities for leveraging digital tools in education, healthcare, business, and local government. • Organize workshops, forums, and events to share best practices and success stories from across Door County’s municipalities. 4. Collaboration with Local Municipalities • Sustain a decentralized model, empowering local working groups or task forces within each municipality to identify their unique needs and priorities. • Serve as a resource and sounding board for local broadband committees, offering expertise, guidelines, and support for project planning, funding and implementation. • Facilitate regional collaboration where mutually beneficial. 5. Community Engagement and Feedback • Maintain transparent and accessible channels for community input via meetings, surveys, and the FiberNet Door County website. • Create mechanisms for ongoing dialogue with citizens, businesses, schools, healthcare providers, and other local stakeholders. 6. Committee Operations • Convene quarterly to coordinate county-wide efforts and share updates and best practices from localities. • Review and refine the county’s broadband adoption, digital skill building, and broadband education priorities and action plans based on data and feedback from municipal groups and local stakeholders. • Monitor, evaluate and report on progress toward digital skill building an adoption goals. III. Membership Committee members shall remain voluntary and continue to represent a diverse cross-section of stakeholders and technical experts county-wide, including, but not limited to: • County Supervisors, • DCEDC, • School districts and higher education institutions, • Medical and healthcare community, • Technology experts, • Municipal members, • Representatives from libraries and other key community groups Committee members will act as liaisons to their respective sectors and/or municipalities, facilitating two-way communication and supporting decentralized, community-driven broadband initiatives. IV. Transition and Next Steps This charter supersedes former committee objectives, aligning all efforts with the second phase’s focus on implementation, adoption, and digital empowerment. The Committee will establish a schedule for regular reviews and updates of its activities in collaboration with municipal partners, ensuring sustained progress and adoptability to emerging needs. Door County- Broadband Coordinator Jessica Hatch 421 Nebraska St., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 920-746-2289 920-493-2237 jhatch@co.door.wi.us fax MUNICIPAL OUTREACH SUMMARY PROJECT SUMMARY PROJECT NAME PREPARED BY June 4, 2026 FiberNet Municipal Broadband Outreach Jessica Hatch STATUS SUMMARY There is a current state funded broadband grant round that is open 5-BF-2026 there is an eligibility map that you can view the eligible locations on. I have reached out to ISPs in the area and asked that they bid on any locations that are eligible under their ILEC footprint. I have talked to those municipalities that are impacted and recommended that they provide letters of support and matching funds if they have any of their Door County Broadband Grant funds that they received as matching funds are an approved grant use. I have reached out to ILEC ISPs and asked that they bid on any eligible locations under their ILEC footprint. There is an estimated 6,120 locations in the County that are presumptively eligible in this round. There is a challenge process as part of this grant that ISPs can participate in after applications are in and the list of applicants and locations is released. There has been reporting out to the municipalities on their BEAD funding awards and what the next steps are for ISPs. The ISPs are currently going through contracting with the State Broadband Office, and must have BEAD executed contracts before they move onto the next steps. The ISPs next steps are to go through environmental compliance and permitting at the state level and then federal for review and approval on their projects. This process can take 6-12 months. JUNE 2026 UPDATE OUTREACH DATE NOTES Baileys Harbor 6/4 The Town and Bertram are going through grant review with the WI Broadband Office to work through non-compliance and get them back into compliance. Work is still ongoing, installs in Zone 1 are happening. There are 5 zones total that need to be completed. Brussels 6/10 Town Board update on BEAD funding awards. There is an estimation of 382 locations with a mix of fiber and LEO awarded for $1,204,08. Recommendation to consider a committee for adoption and digital skills. Explained the current 5-BF- 2026 grant round and eligibility, recommendation to provide letter of support and Door County Broadband grant funds as matching funds. Clay Banks 6/4 Work is still ongoing there is a need to get laterals installed from the ROW to the home. Clay Banks is having conversations about the current grant and whether to apply. Page 2 Town of Egg Harbor 4/10 AT&T fiber build in Egg Harbor is complete other than addresses within the Harbor Village Resort. Outside of those addresses within the Harbor Village Resort, all serviceable address’s locations within the Town of Egg Harbor should have AT&T fiber available to place orders. Village of Egg Harbor 6/4 AT&T construction is on time and moving well. Village of Ephraim 3/12 5/27 Shared a summary BEAD awards with Brent Bristol via email and permitting recommendations. There is an estimation of 59 locations for fiber service for $309,568. Call to discuss the current 5-BF-2026 grant round and providing a support letter to Verizon if they apply for eligible locations in the Village. Town of Forestville 2/16 Town Board update on BEAD funding awards. There is an estimation of 496 locations with a mix of fiber and LEO awarded for $1,786,779. Recommendation to consider a committee for adoption and digital skills. Village of Forestville 5/4 Emailed the Village their BEAD impact, there is an estimation of 247 locations awarded to fiber for $$854,373. Gardner 3/11 6/1 Town Board update on BEAD funding awards. There is an estimation of 791 locations with a mix of fiber and LEO awarded for $2,716,529. Recommendation to consider a committee for adoption and digital skills. Discussion with Jon Koch on the current grant round and eligible locations. Connected him with Kelly Shipley at Brightspeed to ensure discussions between the Town and Brightspeed continue for the 5-BF-2026 grant. Gibraltar 5/21 Emailed BEAD awards. There is an estimation of 27 locations awarded to LEO satellite service specific to Peninsula State Park. Discussion with Travis and Dennis on the current 5-BF-2026 grant round. Recommendation to provide a letter of support if Verizon applies for eligible locations. Their broadband committee met on 6/3 to discuss. Jacksonport 3/24 Town Board update on the county committee transition. Recommendation to consider an adoption and skill building committee and to discuss options with Verizon on supporting community outreach for this. Frontier/Verizon are still working through infrastructure build and are about 80% done, there are some areas that are taking long due to make-ready/joint use timelines with WE/WPS. Liberty Grove 2/18 Town Board update on BEAD funding awards. There is an estimation of 1,818 locations awarded to fiber for $10,049,904. Recommendation to consider a committee for adoption and digital skills and ask Verizon to assist with adoption and skill building with their community programs they have. Nasewaupee 2/19 Town Board update on BEAD funding awards. There is an estimation of 1,233 eligible locations with a mix of fiber, licensed fixed-wireless, and LEO awarded for $2,985,911. Recommendation to consider a committee for adoption and digital skills. The Town has information on the current 5-BF-2026 grant round and will consider a letter of support. I have asked them to consider their Door County broadband grant funds towards matching. Sevastopol 4/23 There are three areas that will be built and ready for service by late summer with the exception of Bay Shore Drive. All other areas are completed and should have AT&T fiber available to place orders. Bay Shore Drive area (about a 3-mile stretch) currently has overhead utilities. Sturgeon Bay Utilities (SBU) plans to move its lines underground in this area, Page 3 5/18 impacting approximately 172 addresses. AT&T will coordinate with SBU as much as possible during 2026 construction and will use the SBU underground facilities where available to place our fiber. However, because this project is funded through a WI PSC CPF grant, AT&T will provide fiber to locations using aerial cable rather than moving service underground for any locations where underground facilities are not yet in place or available. At this time, we estimate about 123 of the 172 addresses will continue to be served by aerial fiber indefinitely. This estimate may change depending on SBU’s progress with its underground conduit work in 2026. Town Board update on the county committee transition and discussion on transitioning their committee over to broadband adoption and skill building. Village of Sister Bay 4/21 6/4 Update with the Village Board on the county committee transition. Recommendation for the Village to consider a broadband adoption and skill building committee. There are a handful of eligible locations in the Village for the current grant round. There was a meeting to discuss this with Verizon on 5/26, they are waiting for the eligible location list to be released. Town of Sturgeon Bay 3/9 4/24 Town Board meeting, update on the county committee transition and recommendation to transition their committee over to broadband adoption and skill building. 3 of the 5 project areas may be complete and ready for ordering services by the end of April and the entire Town may be completed by the end of July (ahead of schedule). Installs are underway. WI Electric Cooperative 4/2 There were 20 homes left to run underground form the meter pole to the house. Close to connecting 800 homes. They currently have fiber to roughly 1,100 locations. There will be an additional submarine crossing installed in the fall for redundancy. Application Summary Broadband Expansion Grant, Fiscal Year 2026 (Docket 5-BF-2026) App ID Applicant Technology Proposed Counties Proposed Locations Funding Request Proposed Match Total Project Cost 54,005 $160,170,417 $107,728,667 $267,899,084 1392 24-7 Telcom, Inc. Fiber Chippewa, Dunn, Saint Croix 49 $110,600 $165,900 $276,500 1478 Bertram Communications LLC Fiber Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Door, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Marquette, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Washington 763 $3,506,052 $876,513 $4,382,565 1453 Bruce Telephone Company Fiber Rusk 51 $173,969 $115,979 $289,948 1407 City of Superior Fiber Douglas 222 $1,275,003 $425,003 $1,700,006 1462 Cochrane Cooperative Telephone Company Fiber Trempealeau 252 $1,186,785 $971,005 $2,157,790 1483 Cochrane Cooperative Telephone Company Fiber Buffalo 82 $993,281 $110,365 $1,103,646 1408 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Marinette 1,763 $6,694,041 $3,821,212 $10,515,253 1409 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Jackson, Monroe 1,546 $5,383,176 $3,054,730 $8,437,906 1410 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Douglas 1,531 $3,382,075 $2,729,961 $6,112,036 1411 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Burnett, Washburn 1,217 $4,368,193 $2,646,158 $7,014,351 1412 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Barron, Polk, Washburn 1,073 $3,562,995 $1,858,681 $5,421,676 1413 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Marinette 915 $3,796,714 $1,878,797 $5,675,511 1414 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Waushara, Marquette 1,058 $3,204,756 $1,631,974 $4,836,730 1415 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Waushara, Portage 581 $1,500,583 $1,088,644 $2,589,227 1416 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber La Crosse, Trempealeau 685 $2,078,029 $1,454,724 $3,532,753 1417 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Douglas 901 $2,403,255 $1,138,223 $3,541,478 1418 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Waushara 585 $1,573,549 $872,995 $2,446,544 1419 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Vilas, Iron 571 $1,996,543 $1,156,955 $3,153,498 1420 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Langlade, Lincoln 538 $2,177,767 $1,040,501 $3,218,268 1421 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire 573 $2,029,077 $1,349,888 $3,378,965 1422 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Washburn, Burnett, Barron 418 $1,766,704 $1,051,095 $2,817,799 1423 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Iowa, Lafayette, Grant 375 $1,416,963 $997,417 $2,414,380 1424 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber La Crosse, Jackson 671 $1,975,845 $984,117 $2,959,962 1425 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Sauk, Columbia 422 $1,543,964 $1,002,042 $2,546,006 1426 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Ashland, Bayfield 597 $1,572,122 $1,101,071 $2,673,193 1427 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Waushara 402 $1,611,578 $837,846 $2,449,424 1428 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Trempealeau, Jackson 644 $1,457,719 $1,023,026 $2,480,745 1429 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber La Crosse 410 $1,664,437 $871,240 $2,535,677 1430 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Marinette 410 $1,261,226 $789,680 $2,050,906 1432 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Jackson, Monroe, Juneau 289 $1,273,376 $629,869 $1,903,245 93 Applications App ID Applicant Technology Proposed Counties Proposed Locations Funding Request Proposed Match Total Project Cost 1433 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Green Lake, Waushara, Marquette, Fond du Lac 544 $1,358,059 $842,541 $2,200,600 1434 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Douglas 235 $918,387 $482,323 $1,400,710 1435 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Iron 208 $824,954 $447,514 $1,272,468 1437 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Waushara 220 $612,916 $340,957 $953,873 1438 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber La Crosse 200 $677,716 $407,748 $1,085,464 1439 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Monroe, La Crosse 153 $275,924 $329,807 $605,731 1440 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Grant, Richland, Iowa 146 $619,966 $382,166 $1,002,132 1441 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Douglas 169 $642,574 $337,749 $980,323 1442 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Forest, Florence, Marinette 252 $367,881 $225,333 $593,214 1443 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Walworth, Waukesha, Jefferson 281 $516,337 $276,702 $793,039 1444 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Monroe 123 $437,074 $242,210 $679,284 1445 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Dodge, Columbia 382 $422,505 $310,008 $732,513 1446 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Lafayette 109 $345,135 $185,032 $530,167 1447 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc 441 $356,984 $300,546 $657,530 1448 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Sawyer, Rusk, Price 36 $141,099 $82,604 $223,703 1449 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Saint Croix, Polk 51 $105,793 $62,696 $168,489 1450 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Marinette 32 $111,696 $63,693 $175,389 1452 Connect Holding II LLC Fiber Outagamie 5 $12,500 $30,351 $42,851 1289 County Wireless LLC Fixed Wireless Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire 2,431 $3,549,260 $890,000 $4,439,260 1465 CTC Telcom, Inc. Fiber Barron 406 $396,619 $178,191 $574,810 1466 CTC Telcom, Inc. Fiber Washburn 2,398 $1,178,362 $529,409 $1,707,771 1467 CTC Telcom, Inc. Fiber Rusk 49 $524,381 $174,794 $699,175 1468 CTC Telcom, Inc. Fiber Sawyer 811 $2,195,707 $731,902 $2,927,609 1469 CTC Telcom, Inc. Fiber Dunn 147 $1,327,688 $442,563 $1,770,251 1472 CTC Telcom, Inc. Fiber Burnett 2,733 $2,813,497 $4,790,549 $7,604,046 1473 CTC Telcom, Inc. Fiber Chippewa, Clark 875 $3,860,761 $3,860,761 $7,721,522 1461 East Central Energy Fiber Douglas, Burnett, Washburn 107 $1,045,039 $348,346 $1,393,385 1387 Farmers Independent Telephone Company Fiber Burnett, Polk 32 $453,078 $50,342 $503,420 1481 GogebicRange.net, LLC Fiber Iron, Vilas 270 $1,433,000 $559,653 $1,992,653 1284 Hillsboro Telephone Company, Inc. Fiber Juneau, Vernon, Monroe 67 $632,673 $210,891 $843,565 1348 Indianhead Telephone Company Fiber Sawyer 128 $201,446 $201,946 $403,391 1343 Mediacom LLC Fiber Grant 117 $654,964 $218,321 $873,285 1349 Mediacom LLC Fiber Monroe 197 $904,873 $301,624 $1,206,497 1350 Mediacom LLC Fiber Crawford 37 $222,493 $74,164 $296,658 1352 Mediacom LLC Fiber Crawford 94 $605,307 $201,769 $807,076 1454 MH Telecom LLC Fiber; Fixed Wireless Iowa, Lafayette, Grant, Dane 3,028 $4,290,765 $1,838,899 $6,129,665 1333 NEIT Broadband, LLC Fiber Crawford 798 $4,786,005 $2,577,080 $7,363,085 App ID Applicant Technology Proposed Counties Proposed Locations Funding Request Proposed Match Total Project Cost 1406 NEIT Broadband, LLC Fiber Crawford 108 $295,656 $98,552 $394,209 1474 NET LEC, LLC Fiber Kewaunee 107 $600,000 $200,000 $800,000 1475 NET LEC, LLC Fixed Wireless Marinette 1 $270,000 $90,000 $360,000 1339 Nextgen Communications, LLC Fiber Saint Croix, Dunn 24 $95,346 $95,346 $190,692 1393 Norvado Inc. Fiber Sawyer 392 $4,700,296 $40,000 $4,740,296 1396 Norvado, Inc. Fiber Bayfield 83 $619,728 $226,578 $846,306 1397 Norvado, Inc. Fiber Ashland, Iron 38 $118,540 $0 $118,540 1398 Norvado, Inc. Fiber Iron, Vilas 85 $223,366 $0 $223,366 1399 Norvado, Inc. Fiber Price, Vilas, Iron 77 $272,122 $0 $272,122 1400 Norvado, Inc. Fiber Price 25 $123,331 $0 $123,331 1401 Norvado, Inc. Fiber Sawyer 69 $135,660 $0 $135,660 1403 Norvado, Inc. Fiber Sawyer 51 $165,143 $0 $165,143 1404 Norvado, Inc. Fiber Vilas 124 $373,339 $0 $373,339 1307 Ntera, LLC Fiber Chippewa 882 $4,449,613 $4,449,613 $8,899,226 1405 Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services Fiber Jackson, Clark, Eau Claire, Trempealeau, La Crosse 812 $2,123,388 $1,150,671 $3,274,059 1482 Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services Middle Mile Fiber Jackson, La Crosse, Pepin 0 $1,811,577 $2,214,150 $4,025,727 1476 Siren Telephone Company Fiber Burnett 876 $1,980,000 $2,970,000 $4,950,000 1480 Starwire Technologies, LLC Fiber Burnett, Polk 3,115 $1,402,655 $755,275 $2,157,930 1455 TDS Metrocom, LLC Fiber Crawford 5,646 $15,075,185 $8,117,407 $23,192,592 1477 TDS Metrocom, LLC Fiber Portage 659 $3,540,788 $1,180,263 $4,721,051 1456 Town of Liberty Grove Hybrid Middle Mile-Last Mile Fiber Project Door 1,125 $958,853 $19,620,663 $20,579,516 1479 UpnetWI Llc Fiber Dane 217 $1,148,773 $540,000 $1,688,773 1388 Vernon Communications Cooperative Fiber Monroe, Vernon, Crawford 830 $4,881,438 $2,092,745 $6,974,183 1463 Wittenberg Telephone Company INC. Fiber Marathon 205 $1,942,500 $647,500 $2,590,000 1464 Wittenberg Telephone Company INC. Fiber Marathon 55 $562,500 $187,500 $750,000 1457 Wood County Telephone Company Fiber Portage 493 $5,536,823 $1,845,608 $7,382,431 54,005 $160,170,417 $107,728,667 $267,899,084 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE C ontact: United Way of Door County A my K ohnl e, E xecuti ve Director 920 -746-9645 amy@ unitedwaydc. com Or Door County E conomic Development Corporation Miche lle Lawrie , Exe cutive Dire ctor 920 -743-3 113 miche lle @doorcountybusine ss.com Te chquity WI: Bridging the Digit al Divide in Door C ounty Te chquity WI, a groundbre aking state wide initiative , is providing no-c o s t , lo n g-term loaned laptops and digital navigation support to e ligible Wisconsin re side nts. This program, powe re d by Unite d Way of Wisconsin in partnership with local United Ways and o ur community partne rs, including United Way of Door County is de signe d to he lp individuals ove rcome digital barrie rs and gain acce ss to the tools the y ne e d for succe ss in e ducation, e mployme nt, he althcare , and daily life . “Having a re liable de vice and the confide nce to use it can make a me aningful diffe re nce in some one ’ s daily life— from applying for a job to accessing services and staying connected, ” said A my K ohnle, E xecutive Director of United Way of Door County. “ T hrough T echquity WI, we’ re providing no-cost devices and digital skills su pport to help our neighbors pursue opportunities and participate more fully in our community. ” “ A ccess to te chnology is a key drive r of e conomic opportunity, ” said Miche lle La w rie , Exe cut ive Dire ctor of the Door Coun ty Eco n om ic Devel opment Corporation. “W e ’r e proud to partner with Unite d Way of Door Coun ty for this final round of T echquity WI de vice distribution, he lping resi dents gain the digital tools needed to apply for jobs, develop new skills, further the ir e ducation, and access essential services. E xpanding access to technology he lps remove barriers to workforce participation and ensures more resi dents can contribute to and be ne fit from Door C o u n t y ’s e c o n o m y.” T o learn more or to find out if you are e ligible for a de vice , ple ase contact United Way at 920-746-9645 or visit the ir websi te www. unitedwaydc. com What T echquity WI Offers: ● Lo n g-t e rm , n o-cost loaned laptops or tablets for eligible participants ● One -on-one navigation support to help users maximize their device for personal and professional growth ● A ccess to additional resources, including affordable internet programs and free online learning opportunities Who is Eligible? To qualify for a Te chquity WI de vice , a clie nt must: ● Not already have a personal computer/laptop/tablet at home ● Belong to a household with an income at or below 200% FPL ( first priority) OR: ○ B el ong to an underserved household ( l acki ng i nternet servi ce) ○ Belong to an under -connected household ( limited access due to constraining factors like cost or provide r options) ○ Belong to an A L ICE ( A sset L imited, Income Constrained, Employed) household ○ Have a critical need for digital access that was exacerbated by the C OV ID -19 public he alth emergency, rel ated to work/educati on/heal th In Door C ounty, we are also looking at other population characteristics for qualifications, those include: veteran, senior, disabled, and rural. To de te rmine if you are e ligible , ple ase contact Unite d Way at 920-746-9645 or visit thei r websi te www. unitedwaydc. com A bout Techquity WI : T echquity WI is a federally funded initiative supported by the U. S. Department of the T reasury through the Ame rican Re scue Plan Act and the State of Wisconsin, administe re d by the Public Se rvice Commission of Wisconsin. T he program aims to serve 30, 000 ind ividuals across Wisconsin by November 2026 and scale succe ssful local digital e quity e fforts state wide . T his project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number C PF F N0201 awarded to United Way of Wisconsin through $1 6, 459, 684. 90 of funds from the U. S. Department of the T reasury through the A merican Rescue Plan A ct and the State of Wiscon sin, acting by and through the Public Se rvice Commission of Wisconsin. Door County Resident Survey - 2026 Conducted online December 9, 2025 - January 16, 2026 Door County Resident Survey - 2026 The following best represents me: 576 Answers Year-Round Door County Resident Seasonal Door County Resident Door County Visitor 2nd year round home spending 1 week per month minimally throughout year. Strong ties to the DC area and donate significantly to local partners. Homeowner who travels to Door throughout the year. I live and work in DC 3 weeks out of month so consider self more than seasonal resident, but not yet full time. Year round, but not full time Hear about half the time throughout the year. Other entries 0 100 200 300 400 500 Year-Round Door County Resident Seasonal Door County Resident Door County Visitor 2nd year round home spending 1 week per month minimally throughout year. … Homeowner who travels to Door throughout the year. I live and work in DC 3 weeks out of month so consider self more than seaso… Year round, but not full time Hear about half the time throughout the year. Other entries 495 86% 68 12% 2 0% 2 0% 1 0% 1 0% 1 0% 1 0% 5 1% Door County Resident Survey - 2026 I have been a year-round resident of Door County for: 494 Answers- 82 Empty life-long resident23% 114 11-19 years18% 89 6-10 years18% 87 20-30 years15% 72 five years or less14% 67 Other entries13% 65 Door County Resident Survey - 2026 My age is: 576 Answers 65-7433% 190 55-6419% 111 75+17% 97 35-4412% 67 45-5412% 67 Other entries8% 44 Door County Resident Survey - 2026 Do you have Internet service at your residence in Door County? 576 Answers Yes No Yes95% 547 No5% 29 Door County Resident Survey - 2026 Are you satisfied with your current Internet service? 544 Answers- 32 Empty Yes No Yes66% 361 No34% 183 Door County Resident Survey - 2026 Do you have access to public Wi-Fi in Door County? 576 Answers Yes Unsure No Yes47% 271 Unsure30% 172 No23% 133 Door County Resident Survey - 2026 Please describe where you typically use public Wi-Fi and share your experience with public Wi-Fi in Door County: 178 Answers- 398 Empty Data Answers Library 13 Libraries 3 Do not use 2 Libraries - mostly Egg Harbor Kress 1 Don't need it. Cellphone works well 1 I do not need to use it. 1 Kress pavilion, sister bay library, sturgeon bay library Seems to work well enough in winter months 1 Coffee Shops and the Library 1 Other entries 155