By Alex Gary - October 7th 2024

 

BELOIT

The Beloit Public Library will receive nearly $3.9 million from the state of Wisconsin to add classrooms, computer labs and build a new interactive children’s learning space.

The Beloit library was one of 35 recipients of a total of $115 million in grant funds. The money comes from the American Rescue Plan Act passed in 2021 as part of several COVID-19 stimulus plans. The program was targeted towards libraries and community centers with the express goal of increasing Internet access for all.

“We’ve seen a lot of interest in these projects to remove barriers and expand vital broadband services for Wisconsinites,” Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld said in a news release. “I’m excited about the variety of projects these grants will help support across the state.”

The Beloit Public Library will use the funds to create six classrooms, three computer labs and the new children’s learning space. The project will include increased high-speed Internet access to even out disparities in education, workforce development and healthcare services.

Beloit isn’t the only South Central Wisconsin city to benefit from the grants. The Matheson Memorial Library in Elkhorn is receiving $2.17 million for a planned expansion that will include four new study rooms, two telemedicine rooms and two classrooms with eight laptop computers.

The New Glarus Public Library received the maximum award of $4.25 million to build a new library. The project will include a children’s programming area, a study room, and a classroom with six desktop computers.

The state of Wisconsin received $189 million in federal funds through three COVID stimulus programs aimed at increasing high-speed Internet access. In December, the state announced it was using $140 million of the money to create two grant programs, the Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program and the Flexible Facilities Program (FFP). Monday’s announced funding is coming from the FFP program.

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