Wisconsin has a cool map of gigabit businesses, Minnesota should too

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According to the Hudson Star Observer…

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association (WSTA), unveiled a new interactive map that identifies more than 100 business and industrial parks in Wisconsin with gigabit broadband availability. WEDC and WSTA say the map provides Wisconsin with a competitive edge in business attraction.

The business park information is included atwww.LocateInWisconsin.com which is WEDC’s free online search tool for businesses looking to expand or relocate in Wisconsin. The icon for Gigabit Parks is located along the horizontal bar above the interactive map of Wisconsin.

I know that we need to look globally to be competitive, after all with broadband our businesses can work easily with anyone and they can work with us. BUT sometimes it starts with borrowing good ideas from our closest competitors and building on that.

Below is what Wisconsin looks like. I think we can do better! It would be great to see someone pick up on the idea!

WI gigabit

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About Ann Treacy

Librarian who follows rural broadband in MN and good uses of new technology (blandinonbroadband.org), hosts a radio show on MN music (mostlyminnesota.com), supports people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota (elimstrongtowershelters.org) and helps with social justice issues through Women’s March MN.

4 thoughts on “Wisconsin has a cool map of gigabit businesses, Minnesota should too”

  1. This would be great to have. It would have to show locations where the Gb service is both readily available and affordable. Some providers would say “Sure, we have Gb service available, but then present a $20,000 build cost and a prospective monthly charge of several thousand dollars. Not quite what most businesses are seeking.

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  2. Great point. It looks like the Wisconsin map invites the businesses to submit their locations – not providers or marketers. BUT a quick survey on costs would be easy to add and valuable to have!

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  3. I’m sorry I didn’t see this comment thread sooner. There will not be any $20,000 build out costs. All of these business parks and industrial parks on the map already have fiber and the electronics needed to support at least a 1Gbps connection. Most of the sites are 10Gbps capable, some are 100Gbps capable. The fact that there are more than 130 sites already identified creates a competitive marketplace. If a business needs gigabit connectivity, they have well over one hundred options to explore through this interactive map.

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