The Wisconsin State Health Information Network (WISHIN) has been designated to oversee the state’s electronic health information exchange after a recommendation of a health board appointed by Gov. Jim Doyle.

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Kim Kindschi , Executive Director of The University of Wisconsin’s Extensions Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, has an op-ed in WTN News on a new $30 million broadband expansion project in his state. The new project will build out 600 miles of fiber infrastructure and expand high-speed Internet access to rural parts of the state. Some highlights:

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Business leaders in western Wisconsin are hosting a forum on using expanded broadband access and adoption for new business opportunities. The October 21 forum will be hosted by Momentum West, a regional economic development organization reaching 10 statewide communities.

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Wisconsin announced that it has begun working toward creating at statewide Health IT network. The state’s Department of Health Services filed plans last Friday with the federal government to create an electronic network for exchanging health information, allowing Wisconsin to qualify for $9.4 million in grants.

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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.”Read more

As funds from the national broadband stimulus continue making their way across the country, the USDA recently announced an additional $1.2 billion in funding to expand rural broadband access and adoption.

In Wisconsin, $65 million has been awarded to 13 companies, including Farmers Telephone, Grantland Telecom, UTELCO. "It's going to allow us to get broadband further out to our rural residents," said Deanne Boegli, national public relations manager for TDS Telecom, the parent company for Farmers, Grantland and UTELCO,. "It's going to be amazing for them to be able to finally get high-speed Internet. We have been working with the government for quite awhile, to try and figure out how to bring broadband out to rural residents, and it's going to happen now." The project is expected to expand broadband access to 30,480 individuals and 1,335 rural businesses. Read more about the project here.