The state of Kansas is making $10 million in funding available to cover some of the costs of deploying broadband in unserved areas of Kansas. The funding awards will be made through the state’s Broadband Acceleration Grant program.
The program, which is in its fourth year, is part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation program (IKE). So far, the Broadband Acceleration Grant program has brought broadband to 8,000 homes and businesses in 25 counties in the state. The $15 million in grants generated $17.5 million in matching funds, according to Kansas Commerce.
The application period begins today and runs through March 11. A kickoff seminar will be conducted today.
The parameters of the fourth round grants:
- Maximum grant funding request of $1 million;
- Qualifying program speed of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload;
- Requirement of 50% matching funds for the project, including the possibility of an in-kind match of up to 50% of the required match;
- Co-investment is required by sources other than the applicant.
“Empowering communities through broadband infrastructure buildout allows Kansas to lean into our innovative spirit as we grow businesses, keep talent here, and pursue new opportunities,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in a press release.
“The IKE program is a great example of how state agencies, local communities and the private sector provide high speed internet to all Kansans.”
The Broadband Acceleration Grant program is not the only Kansas broadband award program. The state previously awarded funding through at least two other programs– the Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) program and through the Kansas Capital Project Funds (CPF) Broadband Grant Program.
