March 12, 2021 – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced funding has been awarded to 14 broadband improvement projects through the Kansas Broadband Acceleration Grant Program.

Total funding in this initial round of awards is $5 million. Matching funds provided by the awardees total $5 million.

The 14 awarded projects, selected from 38 applications, will be used to improve access to high-speed broadband for homes and businesses in 18 communities.

Awardees are required to provide matching funds equal to the amount of their grants. The Broadband Acceleration Grant program was created in 2020 to bring broadband access to Kansas communities through a competitive, matching infrastructure investment program.

Kansas Broadband Acceleration Grant Program

In November 2020, Governor Kelly announced the creation of the Kansas Broadband Acceleration Grant Program to expand broadband access for rural and underserved communities in the state. The program will seek to invest $85 million over the next ten years, with funding provided through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program. It will make $5 million in funding available annually over the next three years, and $10 million annually over the following seven years.

Broadband Grants & Matching Funds

There will be a maximum of $1 million per grant, and each grant will cover up to 50% of eligible project expenses, meaning grant recipients must provide private funding matching the amount of the award. The program will prioritize broadband projects that address unserved areas, economically distressed communities, and areas of compelling in Kansas.

Applicants – Who Is Eligible To Apply?

Grant applications were accepted online from December 7, 2020, until 12:00 p.m. January 7, 2021. The following types of entities were eligible to apply:

• Political subdivisions or entities of political subdivisions

• Corporations

• Limited liability companies

• Partnerships or other business entities

• Non-profit organizations

• Other entities authorized by state law to provide broadband services

Broadband Project Construction Deadline

Awarded projects must be shovel-ready. They must be constructed, installed and operational within 12 months of the grant award date. Program guidelines and additional information are available on the grant program’s website.

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