RACINE COUNTY — Yorkville and Raymond have partnered with Mount Pleasant-based e-vergent for state grants to bring high-speed broadband service to 126 homes in the villages, according to a press release.
“Based on the success of our first fiber-to-the-home project in the Village of Raymond and the state’s dollar-for-dollar grant program, we are excited to do another fiber optic project,” e-vergent President Joe Falaschi said in a statement. In 2018, Raymond and e-vergent received a $112,000 grant to bring service to 19 homes.
The state Public Service Commission’s Rural Broadband Expansion Grant program allows internet companies to partner with municipalities to apply for grants to bring high-speed internet to underserved areas. If awarded, the state splits half the cost of the service expansion with the internet company.
The villages of Waterford, Yorkville, Raymond, Caledonia and Rochester and the towns of Waterford, Norway and Dover all hold pockets of varying sized that have either no or slow wired broadband service, according to the PSC’s Broadband Office. About 19% of Wisconsin residents are underserved.
Yorkville had considered partnering with Spectrum or AT&T for the grant, but neither company was interested. Village trustees voted in late September to find a partner for the grant.
Grantees will be announced in spring 2020.
In photos: Union Grove Christmas tree lighting
Union Grove Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
Spectators listen to the Union Grove High School Choir perform during the Union Grove Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
Union Grove Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
Some of the members of the Union Grove High School Choir sing Christmas carols.
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Union Grove Village President Mike Aimone speaks during the Union Grove Christmas Tree lighting ceremony Thursday evening, Dec. 5, 2019, in the Village Square.
Union Grove Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
Stephanie Kurt, president of Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, delivers a holiday welcome to the community during the Union Grove Christmas Tree lighting ceremony Thursday evening, Dec. 5, 2019, in the Village Square in Union Grove, Wis.
Union Grove Christmas Tree lighting
Emma Braun, 3, of Union Grove, lights the Union Grove Christmas Tree on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Village Square Park in Union Grove, Wis..
Union Grove Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
Santa Claus shakes hands with Stephanie Kurt, president of Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, as he arrives via fire engine.
A Festive Family Photo
The Simonson family of Kansasville poses for a photograph with Santa Claus after the Union Grove Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 5 at Village Square Park. For more photos from the event, turn to Out on the Town, Page A10.
Union Grove Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
Excited children await their turn to visit with Santa Claus.
Union Grove Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
Savannah Cole, 7, of Union Grove, talks with the Snow Sister (Suzanne Maki) and Emma Widmar.
Jonathon Sadowski
Reporter
Jonathon Sadowski covers the greater Union Grove and Waterford areas, entertainment and odds and ends for The Journal Times.
