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Chippewa County endorses multiple BEAD applicants; Mosaic outlines 291 miles of fiber and ~1,700 locations
Summary
The board endorsed three broadband applicants for BEAD/BED funding and heard Mosaic Technologies’ presentation estimating about 291 miles of mainline fiber and roughly 1,700 locations in eastern Chippewa County; staff said county endorsement adds points to PSC scoring.
Chippewa County supervisors on Dec. 10 approved endorsements for multiple broadband applicants seeking Wisconsin PSC BEAD/BED funding and heard a detailed presentation from Mosaic Technologies.
Deanna Westfall, public relations manager for Mosaic Technologies, told the board the company's preliminary mapping targets the east side of the Chippewa River and Highway 27 corridors and estimated about 291 miles of mainline fiber with roughly 1,700 potential service locations. Westfall said endorsement by the county contributes points on a 100-point scoring rubric and that the BEAD program (administered at the state PSC level with NTIA funding) will not cover the entire state; local endorsements help applicant competitiveness.
On the timeline, Westfall said Mosaic expects PSC application materials to open in mid-January and added, "I think it'll be specifically January 13," while cautioning that project-unit counts and final eligible addresses are subject to PSC confirmation.
The board approved the motion to endorse Mosaic's application (Resolution 47-24). County staff and supervisors asked about build timelines, future-proofing and maintenance; Mosaic said the fiber design is intended to be future-proof and that central-office upgrades will accommodate future bandwidth increases.
What happens next: County staff will provide an official endorsement letter and supporting meeting documentation to the PSC as part of Mosaic's application. Final construction and exact household counts will depend on PSC-approved project units and the outcome of BEAD awards.
