Broadband Development Gets a Financial Boost

Governor Laura Kelly today signed Executive Order #20-67 to establish the Office of Broadband Development and announced the distribution of nearly $50 million in Connectivity Emergency Response Grant (CERG) funds to underserved communities across Kansas.

By expanding access to broadband, Governor Kelly’s administration will support economic development opportunities, increase access to health care and education, and promote network affordability for Kansans statewide.

The Office of Broadband Development will be housed in the Kansas Department of Commerce and led by Stanley Adams, current Director of Broadband Initiatives for the Department of Commerce.

The Office of Broadband Development will:

Evaluate and report annually on the extent, quality, and affordability of broadband offerings in Kansas;
Develop strategies to facilitate construction of broadband infrastructure necessary to achieve functionally universal broadband access for Kansas homes and businesses;
And develop and advocate for policies that make high-quality broadband service more accessible, affordable, and reliable in underserved and vulnerable communities.

Area communities scheduled for funding in our area include:

Garden City, Dodge City, Kismet, Plains, Meade, Fowler, Minneola, Bloom, Kingdown, Ford, Haviland, Mullinville, and Greensburg.