News
Kansas is awarding nearly $4 million dollars to more than half a dozen organizations for device distribution and the development of public Wi-Fi in underserved areas.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
The Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) program in Kansas has decided on seven organizations to receive nearly $4 million to close digital gaps in the state.
The grant funding, announced by Gov. Laura Kelly earlier this month, is the first of two rounds of funding the program plans to announce.
According to a release from Kelly’s office, $10.4 million will be available when the second round of program funding opens up later this year.
Jade Piros de Carvalho, the director of broadband development in Kansas, said the investment will continue to amplify investments Kansas has made towards closing the state’s digital divide.
“These awards will enhance internet access to economically distressed households and communities,” Piros de Carvalho said.
Piros de Carvalho was previously featured as a guest in April on the podcast Beyond the Cable, which is produced by Broadband Communities.
Comments from the governor were also included with the June 4 announcement.
“Kansans rely on technology for work, school, health care, and connecting to each other,” the governor said. “The ADOPT grants support community organizations in our shared mission to connect more people to the internet and critical digital skills.”
Here’s a breakdown of what the money will go towards and who’s getting it.
Solar charging benches in Wichita
Almost $290,000 will go towards constructing nine solar-powered charging benches to be operated by Wichita’s library foundation. According to Kelly’s office, the benches will be equipped with free Wi-Fi. The design of the benches will allow users to access the internet while charging their devices.
Public Wi-Fi in North Central Kansas
Over $100,000 will be awarded to Cunningham Communications, an ISP that serves the area. With the money, the ISP plans to construct 54 outdoor and two indoor public Wi-Fi access points across 10 communities, the June 4 announcement explained. Targeted areas for public Wi-Fi deployment will include Glen Elder State Park, sports complexes, school fields, parks, pools, golf courses, and camping sites across five counties: Mitchell, Cloud, Osborne, Jewell, and Republic.
Fiber deployment and public Wi-Fi in Miami County
Over $720,000 will support deploying three miles of buried fiber and 21 public Wi-Fi access points across Miami County, located in the eastern portion of the state. The release from the governor’s office reported the project will be completed by Mokan Communications, which is in a partnership with several organizations in Miami County.
Public Wi-Fi in Riley County
WTC, a telecommunications provider based in Wamego, has been awarded over $720,000 to deploy 124 public Wi-Fi access points to economically distressed locations in Riley County, according to the announcement from the governor’s office.
3 grants awarded for device distributions
Kansas State University, Kansas City Kansas Community College, and Grey Snow Management have been awarded funds for device distributions. A breakdown of awarded funds from the governor’s office reveals that the largest share of funds for device distribution, nearly $1.5 million, have been awarded to Kansas State University. The money will support the distribution of Chromebooks to students of elementary, middle, and high school age within Kansas State University’s Rural Education Center support network.
Meanwhile, the nearly $240,000 awarded to Kansas City Kansas Community College will fund access to laptops for 350 students receiving Pell Grant funding to attend school.
Additionally, grant funds awarded to Grey Snow Management, over $370,000 in total, will support access to 150 Dell Latitude laptops, six Alienware PCs, and essential accessories for residents of underserved tribal areas through a partnership with the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.
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