Rural Broadband Projects Are Cheered

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker paid Antigo a visit today to celebrate grants and cooperative agreements that will allow expansion of broadband services to the village of Mattoon and surrounding area.

The high-speed service will also be expanded to serve the Sawyer Lake area in the northeast section of the county, including the sprawling Silver Birch facilities.

A reception was held at the Cirrinity offices on the north side of Antigo, where the projects have been nurtured and now will become reality.

Al Mahnke, CEO of Wittenberg Telephone Co., the parent of Cirrinity, explained the history of the company dating back to the late 1800s, when a switchboard in a barbershop was the accepted technology in small, rural towns.

He introduced guests, including lawmakers, Angie Dickinson, who heads the broadband program for the state of Wisconsin, and Walker.

The governor told the crowd in the Cirrinity office it was great to be back in Antigo,’’ especially with a report on cooperation and business expansion that will bring positive things to many people.

He praised the positive partnerships that have been worked out with communities and organizations in the path of the broadband growth. Walker outline the three grants that will be used to field the Mattoon and Sawyer Lake projects.

We’re excited about this, he said, noting that the grants are necessary because businesses cannot do this alone.

The governor stressed having access to high-speed broadband service in the rural areas will help move the area ahead.

Al Mahnke, CEO of the Wittenberg Telephone Co., welcomes Gov. Scott Walker to the firm’s Cirrinity offices on the north side of Antigo this morning.

Source: Antigo Daily Journal