Bug Tussel is looking for approximately $6 million in loans from Kewaunee County to help start the next phase of its broadband plan. Scott Feldt from Bug Tussel and the Kewaunee County Finance and Purchasing Committee spoke about the plan for over 30 minutes on Friday to help improve the county’s broadband network. The two sides have worked together since their efforts helped secure its first Public Service Commission of Wisconsin grant in 2018. Feldt says Bug Tussel is looking to expand its broadband network in Kewaunee County by extending the “middle mile,” which serves as the backbone of the area’s fiber connection. Extending the middle mile would enable Bug Tussel to construct more towers and bring fiber to the home to connect the community better. The proposal laid out by Feldt would also expand coverage into Dyckesville. With a $6 million price tag, Bug Tussel is requesting Kewaunee County to join them in conduit financing, which is a way private companies, non-profits, and public entities can raise funds through tax-exempt municipal bonds. Drawing comparisons to Bug Tussel’s work in other counties like Fond du Lac, Iowa, and Lafayette, Feldt says several steps would have to take place before they could issue their own bonds for the project in September.

Much of the discussion revolved around the requirements of previously acquired Broadband Equity Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding. No action was taken at the meeting, and the matter will be discussed further at the county’s executive committee meeting on Monday.