Governor Kelly Announces $12.9 Million in Broadband Acceleration Grants

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that $12.9 million has been awarded through the latest round of the state’s Broadband Acceleration Grant (BAG) program. These awards will be matched with almost $14 million in private and local investment, resulting in approximately $27 million to expand high-speed internet access across 44 rural Kansas counties.

The BAG program serves as an economic catalyst for rural revitalization across Kansas. By expanding fiber optics and other infrastructure, the initiative equips small businesses with digital tools, enables precision agriculture technologies, opens remote work opportunities and enhances local healthcare access.

“My Administration remains committed to achieving our goal of making Kansas a top 10 state for broadband access,” La Gobernadora Laura Kelly declaró. “Reliable broadband projects ensure that more Kansans across the state have digital connections that are necessary for telehealth, virtual education and business growth – which are crucial to making Kansas the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

The projects will deliver reliable service to underserved homes, businesses and agriculture operations in areas where distance and low population density make private network expansion difficult to attain without public co-investment.

“High-speed internet isn’t a luxury. It’s a daily necessity for every Kansan,” ha declarado el Vicegobernador y Secretario de Comercio, David Toland. “When we invest in digital infrastructure, we give businesses room to grow, workers the freedom to work remotely and talented Kansans one more reason to build their lives here.”

Administered by the Kansas Office of Broadband Development within the Department of Commerce and funded through the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE), this latest round of grants brings the program’s total investment for broadband infrastructure to nearly $44.6 million.

“As public infrastructure becomes increasingly important in connecting Kansans, commerce and resources, KDOT is proud to support this essential grant program alongside our partner agencies,” Kansas Department of Transportation Director of Multimodal Transportation and Innovation Cory Davis said. “Broadband has a direct impact on every community, and this program makes progress more possible for every corner of our state.”

Projects were selected following a thorough review process by an executive committee and a public comment period. Community feedback plays a key role in ensuring transparency and local input in each funding decision.

Sixth-round Broadband Acceleration Grant awardees:

• Blue Valley Technologies Inc. – Awarded $1,790,026 to support 154 businesses and homes in Marshall County
• ExcellentWireless LLC – Awarded $211,902 to support 232 businesses and homes in Douglas and Franklin counties
• GBT Communications, Inc. – Awarded $279,445 to support 36 businesses and homes in Stafford County
• Home Communications, Inc. – Awarded $1,961,020 to support 246 businesses and homes in Ellsworth and McPherson counties
• IdeaTek – Awarded $3,723,304 to support 657 businesses and homes in 18 counties
• IdeaTek – Awarded $2,752,385 to extend middle mile fiber optic service within 15 counties
• Comunicaciones Rainbow – Awarded $614,298 to support 104 businesses and homes in Atchison and Brown counties
• The Junction Internet – Awarded $469,548 to support 380 businesses and homes in Labette and Montgomery counties
• The Southern Kansas Telephone Company, Inc. – Awarded $121,569 to support 47 businesses and homes in Sedgwick and Sumner counties
• Twin Valley Communications, Inc. – Awarded $337,264 to support 157 businesses and homes in Clay, Dickinson, Geary and Ottawa counties
• WTC Communications, Inc. – Awarded $686,518 to support 24 businesses and homes in Riley, Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties

Initiated in 2020 by Governor Kelly, the BAG program was established as a 10-year, $85 million initiative dedicated to bringing last-mile broadband connectivity to unserved and economically distressed communities in Kansas. Over the past six years, the program has continued to expand high-speed infrastructure by combining state transportation funds with matching investments from internet service providers (ISP) and cooperatives.

For more information about BAG, click aquí.