Labette County USD 506 will receive just over $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to provide interactive video conferencing equipment to allow access to students in rural Kansas.

The announcement was part of a USDA announcement that it is investing $72 million in 40 states through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program. These investments will benefit more than 12 million rural residents.

The grant will allow the district to purchase a variety of new technology and allow students to work with Labette Community College in providing online classes. The grant will also combat issues regarding internet connection and video conferencing.