University Wisconsin Extension Broadband & E-Commerce Education Center Broadband Boot Camp, statewide, 2016. Part 1:2

1. Broadband and Rural Poverty
Kenyon C. Kies
Economic Development Specialist &
Rural Poverty Liaison
Kenyon.kies@wisconsin.gov

2. THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
The Department of Children and Families is a cabinet-level
state agency headed by Secretary Eloise Anderson with
approximately 800 employees and an annual budget of
$1.285 billion. Its primary responsibilities include:
• Childcare
• Child Support
• Child Welfare
• Strengthening families through “Welfare to Work”
programs including:
Wisconsin Works (W-2)
Transform Milwaukee Jobs
Transitional Jobs
Trial Employment Match (TEMP)
The Milwaukee Response Initiative &
others

3. Over the years there have been many attempts to deal with the
serious problem of poverty. The Walker administration has
implemented a number of innovative programs including changes in
unemployment insurance practices, food stamp eligibility, job training
programs and provided economic development loans and credits
targeting hard hit areas. These efforts have all assisted in fighting
poverty. When Governor Walker took office in 2010, the state’s
unemployment rate was 9.2%. As of November, 2016, it had dropped
to 4.1 %. However, not all parts of the state have participated equally
in this renewal.
DEALING WITH POVERTY IN PREDOMINANTLY RURAL
WISCONSIN COUNTIES

4. THE CHILDREN & FAMILIES RURAL POVERTY PROJECT
Two years ago, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), initiated
a project designed to identify and deal with rural poverty in the state. An obvious
question was: Why was it in the interests of DCF to embark on this project when
there were so many other workforce and economic development organizations
throughout the state that might seem more obvious choices?
There were two simple reasons: First, it is the mission of the department to promote
the economic and social well-being of Wisconsin’s children and families. Clearly,
“poverty” is the antithesis of “well-being.” To the extent that ways can be found to
reduce rural poverty, the mission of the department will have been partially
successful.
Second, as the evidence will attest, poverty in many of the state’s rural areas
continues to be a serious concern, leading to the inevitable conclusion that previous
programs and policies were not working as they should have been, and there was a
need to identify and remove barriers to development and job creation.

5. .
THE DEPARTMENT CHOSE EIGHTEEN OF THE STATE’S MOST RURAL/
HIGHEST POVERTY COUNTIES TO STUDY
RURAL IS DEFINED
BY CENSUS AS AREAS
HAVING CLUSTERS OF
2500 RESIDENTS OR
FEWER..

6. HOW DO RURAL POOR DIFFER FROM URBAN POOR?
• THEY ARE LESS VISIBLE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SPATIALLY CLUSTERED
• THEY TEND TO BE OLDER – A HIGHER PERCENTAGE ARE RETIRED
• THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE MARRIED
• THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO OWN A HOME
• THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO OWN A VEHICLE (BUT NOT NECESSARILY A GOOD ONE)
• THEY TEND TO HAVE LESS EDUCATION (A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF H.S. DROPOUTS)
• THERE IS LESS GENERATIONAL POVERTY
• SUICIDE RATES ARE HIGHER
• THE MAJORITY ARE EMPLOYED
• THEY HOLD LESS DESIRABLE JOBS AND ARE LESS LIKELY TO HAVE FRINGE BENEFITS
• THEY TEND TO LIVE IN AREAS WITH ONE DOMINANT EMPLOYER
• THERE IS A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT
• THEY HAVE HIGHER HOUSING COSTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF INCOME
• THEY TEND TO BE LESS HEALTHY
• THEY RECEIVE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF “TRANSFER PAYMENTS”
• THERE IS A HIGH LIKELYHOOD THEY WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ADEQUATE BROADBAND
• WHERE BROADBAND IS AVAILABLE, THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT

7. WHY IS THE INADEQUATE AVAILABILITY OR USE OF BROADBAND A
PROBLEM FOR THE POOR IN RURAL AREAS?
• Without it, it is difficult to maintain, expand or attract economic
development & create jobs
• Broadband has become essential for:
Finding Employment
Access to medical and other health related records
Filing taxes online
The payment of bills
Banking without having to visit the banks
Access to news
Maintaining social relationships with friends and family
Accomplishing other activities that might be difficult because of
transportation issues, including weather

8. WHAT DOES BROADBAND AVAILABILITY LOOK LIKE THROUGHOUT THE STATE?
The darkest brown areas have
speeds slower than 3.5 Mbps.
The lighter brown areas have
speeds slower than 5 Mbps.
The light blue areas have
speeds equal to or higher than
5 Mbps.
The federal definition of high-
speed broadband is 25 Mbps
or higher.
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION