Jefferson, Dodge counties link for broadband push

  • JEFFERSON — Plans for developing broadband internet in the more remote rural areas of Jefferson and Dodge counties is moving swiftly ahead, with governments from both locales working in tandem on this innovative project.

    On April 16, the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution establishing a partnership between the county and Netwurx, of North Lake, which provides residential services for home internet ranging from web pages to general connectivity. For business, it offers solutions including fiber, wireless, voice and custom packages.

    The resolution stated that the county’s Broadband Working Group would continue to develop “additional partnerships to include working with Dodge County.”

     “We were pleased to have Dodge County Administrator Jim Mielke and Nate Olson, Dodge County’s planning and economic development administrator, at the first meeting of our Broadband Working Group on March 28,” Amy Rinard, who heads the Jefferson County work group, said Thursday. “It quickly became apparent that there might be ways for the two counties to work together to bring broadband Internet access to under-served, especially rural, areas. Dodge County has the same goal we do and after that meeting, moved to create its own Broadband committee.”

    Rinard said that what form that two-county partnership might take and how it all would be managed has not been determined yet.

    “We’re all still figuring out what we, as county officials, can do to expand broadband service in our counties,” Rinard said. “But, moving forward, I think there could be many opportunities for Dodge and Jefferson counties to cooperate to achieve that common goal.”

    The Broadband Workgroup of Dodge County met Wednesday afternoon and selected Jeff Duchac as its chairman, Joe Marsik as vice chairman and Justin Reynolds as secretary.

    The committee/workgroup consists of current county board members Ed Benter, Becky Glewen, David Guckenberger, Marsik, former county board member Duchac, Dodge County Planning/Economic Development Administrator Nate Olson, Dodgeland Schools Administrator Annette Thompson, Dodge County Information Technology Director Justin Reynolds, Nicki Johnson of Mayville Engineering Company and Matt Powell of John Deere Horicon Works.

    Committee members agreed that broadband transmission in rural areas like Dodge County is costly and logistically difficult, but it is needed.

    “If we expand wireless opportunities for residents in the different communities, it’s a win-win for the entire county,” Guckenberger said.

    The Dodge County workgroup’s next meeting is scheduled for May 21.

    Formed recently, Jefferson County’s Broadband Working Group has collaborated with the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors to establish a partnership with Netwurx Internet LLC to provide Phase I Broadband infrastructure and services to under-served areas the county.

    According to the county, broadband is often cited as “the infrastructure of the future.” Attracting new businesses, education access, residential appeal and quality of life will be impacted by the availability of a community’s broadband service, county officials say.

    Jefferson County, along with Dodge County, has parts that are under-served in broadband capabilities.

    “This has been identified as a priority in numerous ways, but most recently through the county’s strategic plan,” Jefferson County officials said.

    Jefferson County has been designated as a Broadband Forward Community by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and as a result, created its new Broadband Working Group.

     “Further, the county has set aside funds in the 2019 budget to provide matching dollars toward the development of broadband infrastructure, including technical assistance,” the county stated.

     

  • Netwurx Internet LLC has expressed an interest in continuing to develop broadband infrastructure in Jefferson County and has requested it be permitted to partner with the county to assist with broadband infrastructure development.

    Netwurx Internet currently has a presence in Jefferson County, including sponsorship of the Fair Park, as well as assisting the Town of Watertown in its grant process with the Public Service Commission.

    In coordination with the Broadband Working Group, Netwurx Internet has developed a plan for Phase 1 of its project, which will provide broadband service to residential, agri-business and other businesses in Jefferson County this year.

    The resolution that was passed in Jefferson County authorized Netwurx Internet to start Phase 1 of this project, which will be a test project with the goal of providing broadband service to approximately 257 residential properties, 13 agri-businesses, 68 other businesses, two multi-dwelling units and two county facilities.

    The county’s portion of the project is anticipated to be $45,610, with Netwurx Internet contributing $30,408.

    The Broadband Working Group in Jefferson County will continue to develop a phased plan to provide additional coverage across the county, specifically geared toward a 2019 summer grant cycle. These efforts will include working to develop additional partnerships to include working with Dodge County and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

  •