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Public Service Commission scopes $9.5 million initial grant round for Digital Equity Capacity Program
Summary
The Public Service Commission approved scoping for Wisconsin's Digital Equity Capacity Program, directing staff to open a $9.5 million initial grant round with broad applicant eligibility and a 10% maximum award per applicant.
The Public Service Commission approved scoping for the Wisconsin Digital Equity Capacity Program (docket 5 DEC‑20‑25) at its Dec. 19 open meeting, directing staff to structure the initial grant round to maximize applicant access and to set a 10% per‑applicant cap on awards.
The commission described the program as one of three federal programs supported by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and said the award implements portions of Wisconsin’s statewide digital equity plan. Chair Strand said, “The Digital Equity Capacity Program is one of three programs supported by NTIA,” and explained that Wisconsin was awarded $13,248,029 in initial funding, including $9,500,000 allocated to subgrants. The commission emphasized three plan values for this grant round: adoption, trust and sustainability.
Why this matters: The commission’s scoping will determine how the $9.5 million for subgrants is distributed among two tracks — digital navigators and digital equity coalitions — and shapes eligibility, maximum awards and reporting that govern the inaugural grants.
What the commission decided: Commissioners agreed to cast a wide eligibility net in the first grant round, adopting the NTIA guidance’s eligible entity types so a broad range of organizations can apply. The commission approved using the full $9,500,000 available for subgrants in the initial round and declined to set fixed budget allocations between the two tracks to preserve flexibility for applicants. The commission also set a maximum award equal to 10% of program funding per applicant for the initial round to encourage distribution across multiple proposals.
Program details discussed by staff and commissioners included that the state award is $13,248,029 in total and that $9,500,000 is allocated for subgrants to be distributed under two tracks: digital navigators (digital inclusion, skills and on‑demand technical support) and digital equity coalitions (awareness, needs assessment, network building and resource sharing). Chair Strand said program applicants and projects must focus on adoption, sustainability and trust from the Wisconsin digital equity plan.
The motion to approve scoping for the Digital Equity Capacity Program was offered during the meeting and carried by voice vote.
Next steps: The commission directed staff to draft grant materials consistent with the scoping decisions and to proceed to implementation and subgrant solicitation under the parameters the commission approved.
