Nsight Telservices Selected to Receive Three Broadband Expansion Grants

Projects Funded in Brown, Calumet and Door County

Nsight Telservices has been selected to receive three broadband expansion grants through the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) totaling $588,465 for fiber construction and fixed wireless projects serving underserved portions of Brown, Calumet and Door counties. Nsight is matching this funding with investments totaling $926,977. This PSC funding aims to provide Wisconsin’s families and businesses with the technology they need to prosper in today’s global economy. A total of 37 projects were selected in the state to receive $7.1 million in grants.

“As a leading communications and technology provider in the state of Wisconsin, Nsight is committed to bringing the services to communities of all sizes and leveraging opportunities to further invest in our network. These projects further our commitment to bring the latest technology to rural pockets of our service area. We’re honored to have support from the state through these broadband expansion grants,” said Mark Naze, CEO of Nsight, parent company of Nsight Telservices and Cellcom.

In Door County, Nsight Telservices partnered with Washington Island Electric Cooperative (WIE) for a grant to add fiber to the replacement submarine electrical cable being installed from Northport Pier on the mainland of Door County to Lobdells Point on Washington Island. The middle-mile route will provide a fiber backbone for providers on the island to connect to and upgrade their service. Future fiber work will need to be completed to connect this fiber route to customers. The project received a $104,331 grant. Nsight will match the PSC grant with a $103,331 contribution to the project costs and the Door County Board of Supervisors will contribute $1,000.

“Modern communities need the best communication and broadband networks possible and rural America has always had the short end of the stick. We appreciate Nsight’s efforts to eliminate the digital divide. This fiber is the first step in not only communications, but potential smart gird applications in the future that will help us manage our grid,” said Robert Cornell, manager at WIE, in a letter of support for the grant.

In Brown County, Nsight Telservices was awarded a grant to build fixed wireless service in the unincorporated community of Champion, located in the town of Green Bay in northeast Brown County. This project will allow Cellcom, the wireless provider in the Nsight family of companies, to pilot the use of fixed wireless technology and serve approximately 163 homes and four businesses with speeds up to 25 Mbps. The project received a $113,112 grant and Nsight will invest an additional $138,248.

“Brown County has seen significant economic growth in recent years with new businesses moving to the area and existing employers growing their businesses. This growth has taken place primarily in the City of Green Bay and surrounding suburbs. Rural areas such as the community of Champion have been impacted by this growth as employees looking for a rural lifestyle build homes in the countryside. The development of this area has placed a strain on telecommunications services and the landline provider failed to respond by expanding broadband infrastructure. This fixed wireless project will support activities such as working from home, childhood education and ecommerce,” said Troy Streckenbach, Brown County Executive, in a letter of support for the project.

This project also received 62 public comments of support from residents, which helped elevate the application during the PSC evaluation.

In Calumet County, Nsight Telservices was awarded a grant for 16 miles of a 38-mile fiber route between Sherwood and Elkhart Lake.

Naze acknowledged the importance of public support and thank the many residents who submitted a public comment in support of the various projects and those who submitted letters of support for the applications, which included: Town Board of Town of Washington Island, Washington Island Electric Cooperative, Washington Island Schools Superintendent of Business Services Sue Cornell, Washington Island Police Department Chief of Police Tyler McGrane, County of Door Administrator Ken Pabich, Technology Services Director Jason Rouer, CIO of  Door County Medical Center Mary Lopas, Door County Board of Supervisors, State Representative Joel Kitchens, Town of Green Bay Town Board, Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach, Calumet County Board of Supervisors, Village of Hilbert Village Board, Town of Chilton Town Board, City of Chilton Common Council, Town of Charlestown Town Board, Town of New Holstein Town Board, City of Kiel Common Council, Director of Progress Lakeshore Peter Wills, Village of Harrison, City of New Holstein, Village of Sherwood, Town of Woodville, New Holstein Area Chamber of Commerce, New Holstein Economic Development Corporation. Fox Valley Technical College, Amerequip Corporation, Briess Malt & Ingredients Co., Hilde’s Deli and Bakery LLC, METKO, Sargento Foods, Inc., Terra Verde Organic Coffee, Town of Rhine, Senator Devin LeMahieu, and Representative Paul Tittl.