By Trish Svoboda
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $10 million has been granted to 12 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the latest round of Broadband Acceleration Grants. With an additional $12.7 million in matching funds, this results in a total investment of nearly $22.7 million for high-speed broadband access projects across 14 rural counties in Kansas.
Launched in 2020, the Broadband Acceleration Grant is a 10-year, $85 million initiative aimed at providing 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 in broadband infrastructure to over $41.5 million.
“Bringing broadband to rural Kansas is critically important for those communities to thrive,” Senate President Ty Masterson said. “These additional grants serve as an on-ramp for all Kansans who need reliable digital access to succeed in whatever career path they choose.”
The projects were selected following a review by an executive committee and a public comment period, which ensures transparency. Community feedback and comments are considered during the selection process.
The 2024 Broadband Acceleration Grant recipients are:
| Awardee | County | Award Amount | Match | Premises Connected |
| Brightspeed | Wilson | $474,114 | $1,219,153 | 574 |
| Cunningham Comms. | Cloud | $841,684 | $855,860 | 82 |
| GBT Comms. | Stafford | $179,136 | $179,136 | 92 |
| IdeaTek | Butler | $900,000 | $957,833 | 617 |
| KanOkla Networks | Sumner | $950,000 | $1,649,335 | 148 |
| KwiKom | Allen | $950,000 | $1,053,069 | 159 |
| KwiKom | Coffey | $950,000 | $1,208,983 | 173 |
| Midco | Douglas | $840,000 | $925,900 | 278 |
| Midco | Leavenworth | $950,000 | $1,540,708 | 370 |
| Nex-Tech | Phillips | $637,000 | $596,000 | 190 |
| Pioneer Comms. | Grant | $514,751 | $504,751 | 50 |
| Rainbow Comms. | Doniphan | $653,256 | $800,150 | 99 |
| TCW Broadband | Marion | $460,927 | $459,427 | 85 |
| WTC | Riley | $699,132 | $772,724 | 89 |
