Governor Laura Kelly announces $10 million for broadband projects in rural Kansas.
Governor Kelly announced that the funds will go to twelve internet service providers in order to help provide broadband internet in rural areas. Under the program, Brightspeed in Wilson County was awarded $470,000 along with matching funds of $1.2 million to connect more than 500 customers. Allen County's KwiKom was awarded $950,000 with just over $1 million in matching funds to connect more than 150 customers.
Governor Kelly stated that access to reliable, high-speed internet will ensure Kansans have the resources to invest in themselves and in the state.
The projects were selected after review by an executive committee and public comment. The public comment period ensures transparency. Comments and community feedback are considered during the selection process.
Initiated in 2020, the Broadband Acceleration Grant is a 10-year, $85 million program designed to bring essential internet access to Kansas communities. Administered by the Kansas Office of Broadband Development and funded through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE), this latest round of grants brings the program’s total investment for broadband infrastructure to more than $41.5 million.
