UNDATED (WXPR) — Eight Northwoods towns are participating in a survey to find out just what high- speed internet access needs are in those communities. The Grow North Economic Development Corporation website is conducting the survey in the towns including Sugar Camp and Three Lakes in Oneida county, Laona and Hiles in Forest county, Presque Isle, Manitowish Waters and Boulder Junction in Vilas county and the town of Florence.
Grow North Economic Development Corportation Executive Director Angi Schreiber says they’re looking to get broadband expansion grants from the state to serve the local towns. “With that we want the towns to begin the broadband expansion grant process, so we’re tackling it from the ground up as well as the top down.”
The surveys are being done this month and next. While some towns like Three Lakes have extensive coverage, other parts of the north have the slowest speed internet as the only option.
Tourist businesses have said it hurts business as customers go to places with highest speed internet. School personnel also say they need broadband to give students in rural schools exposure to the latest skills. Three Lakes already has a state- of -the art “Fab Lab”, which was made possible because of access to high speed internet. Florence schools will start a Fab Lab soon.
by Ken Krall, WXPR
