Joco Today

On June 16, 2023, Representative Sharice Davids announced the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded Kansas with $42.5 million in bipartisan infrastructure law funding to expand middle mile high-speed internet across the state, including in all five counties in Kansas’ Third Congressional District. Davids, who was the only member of the Kansas delegation to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure law, and Representative Jake LaTurner (KS-02) advocated for this funding to come to Kansas.

"The internet is used to access crucial resources such as employment opportunities, business software capabilities, virtual learning, and health care," said Davids. "This new federal investment will help close the digital gap and keep our communities connected – particularly those who have not had access to high-speed internet in the past. I am proud to have voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law that continues to make a positive impact on the lives of Kansas families."

Middle mile internet infrastructure carries large amounts of data over long distances, boosts network resiliency, lowers the cost of internet service for unconnected households, and increases access to high-speed internet for rural and unserved regions of Kansas. Kansas state officials are working with private and non-profit partners to create a 682-mile open-access middle-mile network, with plans to connect multiple new internet exchange points throughout the state.

"Every day, my administration works to deliver high-speed internet to more Kansas families and businesses," said Governor Laura Kelly. "That’s why I supported our application for this grant that will set up the infrastructure needed to reach 27,000 more homes and provide opportunities for economic success across the state."

“An open access middle mile network is crucial to Kansas’ ability to bring affordable, high-speed broadband to underserved residents and businesses,” said Jade Piros de Carvalho, Director of Broadband Development, Kansas Department of Commerce. “The Kansas Office of Broadband Development is grateful for Representative Davids’ support for the legislation that funded this opportunity and for her support of internet for all.”

 The bipartisan infrastructure law, which is paid for through a combination of new revenues and savings, has been called the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. To date, Kansas has also received $5 million through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) to help provide access to high-speed internet across the state. Also, about 85,000 households in Kansas are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, which ensures families can afford broadband needed for work, school, health care.

 Background

The purpose of Kansas’ internet expansion project is to connect to multiple new internet points throughout the state. The proposed route will support smaller internet service providers in rural and unserved areas, helping them to provide high-speed internet service to more households. The award also moves Kansas closer to high-speed internet access for all, with download speeds optimal for a 21st century society.

 In total, the Department of Commerce awarded $930 million to 35 states and Puerto Rico from the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program. The projects will deploy over 12,000 miles of new fiber that will pass within 1,000 feet of 6,961 community anchor institutions. Over 260 applications were submitted totaling $7.47 billion in funding requests. Middle mile projects do not directly connect end-user locations. Details of the awards are available at InternetForAll.gov.

Original source can be found here.