KsFiberNet has completed Kansas fiber broadband deployments that were funded, in part, through the CARES Act.
The regional fiber network was awarded $2 million in funding for the project through two Kansas programs known as Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) and Connectivity Emergency Response Grant (CERG). A SPARK task force was responsible for distributing CARES Act funding awarded to the state. The CERG program was created to “address the increased need for internet connectivity in Kansas due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a press release noted.
The new infrastructure is all in what a press release referred to as “CERG markets” in the eastern part of the state. CERG markets receiving broadband from KsFiberNet are Miami County (including Osawatomie, Paola, Spring Hill and Olathe;, Basehor; Garnett; Eudora; Parsons; Independence and Wellsville.
“High-speed broadband is essential for economic development and quality of work for businesses and furthers KsFiberNet’s commitment to be the state’s premier communications provider,” KsFiberNet Vice President of Operations and Engineering Mike Morrissey said in a press release. “We are excited to offer businesses in each of these areas access to the benefits of our fiber network now and the future.”
Telecompetitor has covered a number of CARES Act-related announcements in recent months:
In June, Tombigee Electric Cooperative provided details on its Alabama project, which is using funding from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) in addition to the CARES Act. Ribbon Communications and KGPCo will be the main vendors.
In April, Great Plans Communications said it is bringing FTTH and connectivity to 4,800 homes and business in Callaway, Creighton, Deshler, Gordon, North Bend, Red Cloud and Sutherland, NE funded, in part, through the CARES Act.
Also in April, Kinetic by Windstream announced two projects in a public/private partnership with Greene County, PA. Both are funded in part through the CARES Act. The projects brought gigabit speeds to 7,300 homes in Bobtown, Carmichaels, Greensboro, Jefferson, Mount Morris and Waynesburg, all of which already are served by Kinetic. In addition, Kinetic said it was upgrading speeds to more than 1,000 customers in Brave, Graysville, Rogersville and Waynesburg, which also already are served by Kinetic.
Joan Engebretson contributed to this report.
