In Wisconsin, the USDA has awarded Baldwin Telecom, Inc. a $9 million project in the town of Troy to expand broadband access.  “These stimulus funds for broadband will help play an important part in bringing 21st-century infrastructure to all residents of the town of Troy,” said Baldwin Telecom Manager Larry Knegendorf. The fiber infrastructure project is expected to expand broadband access to 1,500 homes, businesses and community institutions.“The announcement today demonstrates the trust RUS has in our ability to deliver quality broadband services,” said Knegendorf. “We are experienced at providing broadband in rural areas. In fact, 100% of our customers have access to our high-speed Internet service. This money gives us the opportunity to provide service to the town of Troy.” Read more about the project here.

And in other broadband expansion news, the Obama administration has renewed efforts to build up high-speed Internet access in tribal areas across the country. A Native Public Media report found, “Together with an increasing recognition of the importance of universal access to digital communications and technology, these factors provide an enormous opportunity to bridge the historical and persistent Native American digital divide.”

The administration is following up on recommendations that a “tribal centric” focus is the best way to expand broadband access and adoption in tribal areas, where the adoption rate hovers at just above 10 percent. More from the report:

“The federal government should recognize this fundamental fact: Placing tribes at the center of the process on tribal lands, and implementing actions that prioritize tribes in planning, regulation and deployment is a necessary first step in achieving successful and enduring solutions to the deplorable and long standing lack of communications technologies in tribal communities nationwide.” Read more here.