Kansas will receive over $451 million in federal funds to support broadband expansion across the state.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced the state allocations Monday as part of a roughly $42 billion High Speed Internet grant program to connect areas lacking access to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service.
Sen. Jerry Moran pledged to continue oversight of federal broadband deployment programs. He spoke on the Senate floor earlier this month.
Sen. Roger Marshall also spoke on the Senate floor earlier this month about the need for continued broadband expansion into rural areas. He also co-sponsored a bill in May dubbed the Reconnecting Rural America Act of 2023.
In a statement this week, Gov. Laura Kelly noted her administration is “committed to ensuring every Kansan has access to fast and reliable Internet connectivity.” She says the funding advances the state’s progress toward being a top 10 state for broadband access by 2030.
According to Sen. Moran’s office, the FCC noted in May there are more than 81,000 unserved locations in Kansas.
