MADISON – Kewaunee County was awarded $960,000 by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to increase its high-speed internet access.

The award, the full amount requested by the county, was announced Thursday as part of the latest round of broadband expansion grants issued by the commission. A total of $24 million was awarded to 72 applicants across the state.

The county will use the grant funds as part of a $2.3 million project to improve broadband accessibility, working with Bug Tussel Wireless of Green Bay. The expansion will service 199 businesses and 12,115 residential locations within its total footprint, as antennas will also reach Mishicot in Manitowoc County.

The start of the county's broadband initiative dates to 2016, when it was made known that federal and state grant opportunities were becoming available.

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“The grant that has been awarded to Kewaunee County makes it possible to improve service, share costs, and preserve limited county assets," board chairman Robert Weidner said in a press release. "The current health crisis demonstrates how important it is to have the option for students and others to be able to work from home.”

The project is planned to start with the towns of Carlton, Casco, Franklin, Red River and West Kewaunee by building seven towers. Kewaunee County Administrator Scott Feldt said the next step is locating and acquiring sites for the towers.

“This is the first step towards better accessibility for Kewaunee County,” Feldt said. “I want to thank everyone who sent in the nearly 150 letters and emails supporting the PSC grant application. I am convinced that this show of support was critical in Kewaunee County receiving the full amount it requested.”

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Kewaunee County receives $960,000 grant to improve high-speed internet access