Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said Monday that the state will receive $451.7 million in federal funding to support the construction of broadband infrastructure to provide access to high speed internet across the state.   The governor said the funding will help in moving toward a goal of becoming a top ten state for broadband access by 2030.

This investment is being made through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program as part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The BEAD Program, which is led by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) office at the U.S. Department of Commerce, will provide a total of $42.45 billion to State Broadband Offices to expand broadband to unserved areas across the country. 

Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said the funding will help the state in connecting underserved areas.  The Kansas Office of Broadband Development is finishing work on a plan for broadband access and equity.   Data is still being collected in order to make efficient use of the new funding.   Residents are urged to visit the web site broadbandks.com to complete a quick and simple online speed test to help in providing data needed for the strategic plan.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran said he will continue to provide oversight of federal broadband programs.   He said in a press release,  “Every taxpayer dollar should be used efficiently and in a way that best serves Americans, which is why I have been working with the Federal Communications Commission to update broadband maps before this funding was allocated. The accuracy of these maps will make certain funding reaches places in need of broadband access and does not overbuild areas that already have internet access. I will continue to use my Appropriations Subcommittee and Commerce Committee roles to conduct oversight of federal broadband deployment programs.”