For a business wanting to open an online store, or for families looking to share vacation videos, the lack of high-speed internet in parts of the Northwoods can be frustrating.
But Oneida County has a plan that will bring high-speed internet service to thousands of unserved and underserved residences and business throughout the county.
Director of the Economic Development Corporation Jeff Verdoorn was at Tuesday’s Minocqua town board meeting to explain a proposed $16 million project and their grant application to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
“There’s a plan to connect 1,600 homes in a loop that goes around Minocqua,” Verdoorn explained. “You can see it goes up and down some of the roads.”
The town board pledged $50,000 of federal pass-through funds for the project.
Some $4 million of the project cost will be spent in the Township of Minocqua.
The county official says it may take up to three months before the Public Service Commission makes a decision on the grant.
In the meantime, Verdoorn is knocking on other town board doors seeking their support also.