Providing broadband access in all communities in Wisconsin is necessary to move the economy forward, according to a panel at the monthly Wisconsin Innovation Network luncheon held Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel.

“To make sure Wisconsin becomes an economically viable state, we need broadband access,” State of Wisconsin CIO David Cagigal said.

Cagigal explained how in many rural communities, the library is the only place that Internet access is available. That’s what makes it hard to attract businesses there, Cagigal said.

But first, the state and the University of Wisconsin need help from the private sector.

“The technology is not the problem–it’s the human element, the culture,” UW-Madison Vice Provost for IT Bruce Maas said. “We need (a business community) that’s willing to invest.”