WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Kansas received its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. Kansas is receiving $5,692,606.99 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state.
“The Internet for All initiative will bridge the digital divide in Kansas and ensure rural areas have the service they need to access telehealth, education and jobs," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "I appreciate Governor Kelly's commitment to connecting all Kansas homes and businesses to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service."
“The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program has the potential to provide substantial federal resources to help Kansas close the digital divide for our most rural communities. However, we must continue to focus on confirming that the maps are accurate to ensure dollars flow to the communities most in-need. It is vital we use our resources wisely to prevent families, communities and businesses from getting left behind,” said Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, M.D.
"Communities across the Kansas have enormous potential for a new chapter of innovation and success," Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said. "This funding will propel the state forward, accelerating our efforts to ensure all Kansans can fully participate in the digital world."
“Kansans use the internet to work, learn, keep in touch with family, grow a business, get health care, and more. While access to high-speed internet is a gateway to opportunity, that opportunity is not distributed equally in our state,” said Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03). “I’m proud to have voted for this new federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law that will help every Kansan thrive in the digital age.”
All 50 U.S. states and six territories applied for planning grant funding for the Internet for All initiative's Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act program. Grant awards for all 56 eligible entities will be announced on a rolling basis.
About Kansas’ Planning Grants
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
The BEAD Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
Kansas will receive $4,999,942.61 to fund various activities including:
- Development of a 5-year action plan;
- Identification of unserved and underserved locations;
- Capacity building of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development programming.
Digital Equity
The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The first part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to fund digital equity planning efforts.
Kansas will receive $692,664.38 to fund various activities including:
- Development of a statewide digital equity plan to support closing the digital equity gap;
- Recruit staff and contractual expertise to aid in plan development;
- Conducting digital inclusion asset mapping and stakeholder engagement.
Internet for All
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.
Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to learn more.
For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.