Local Providers Win Big in Kansas Broadband Funding Round

In the last round of funding for rural broadband in Kansas, local providers received the majority of funds. Midco, a multi-state company headquartered in South Dakota, was also recognized.

Local providers win big in Kansas broadband funding round, Midco also wins

Ten counties will receive funding for broadband installation. These awards were made through the state’s Broadband Acceleration Grant program.

To close the broadband gap across the state of Kansas, the Broadband Acceleration Grant Program plays a critical role.

Fixed wireless was the priority for some of the newer companies. However, Telecompetitor (the outlet) received an email from Kansas Broadband Director Jade Piros de Carvalho to clarify that all awards were made for fiber optic deployments.

Piros de Carvalho said in a prepared statement: “We continue to hear from communities who need better internet connection to help them unlock their full potential. This program demonstrates our commitment to Kansans by investing in infrastructure that expands access and bridges the digital divide.

The project will cost approximately $12 million in total, with awardees contributing an additional $6.6 million on top of the $5 million awarded. Providers will bear a significant share of total expenses compared to other public broadband financing programs.

Funding was awarded to eight providers in total. Of the seven Kansas companies, four are established rural providers with a history spanning more than a century. The remaining three companies were those founded in 1999 or later.

IdeaTek was fortunate to win two awards worth approximately $2 million, enabling the provision of broadband access to 1,537 sites across two counties.

That company was established in 1999. IdeaTek was followed by KwiKom, which received two awards totaling nearly $1.4 million for serving 223 locations across two counties. In 2010, KwiKom was founded.

Incumbent rural providers come in third and fourth place respectively.

Approximately $615,900 was earned by SKT-Twin Valley and $621,531 by WTC. A double prize was awarded to SKT-Twin Valley.

With $546,923, Midco placed fifth. Other providers that received funding include Blue Valley Technologies, Haviland Broadband and Pioneer Communications.

Here is the full list of award winners, amount awarded, matching funds, number of locations to be connected and counties to be served.

Funds awarded through this program will be directed to locations where broadband access is unlikely to be available without federal or state assistance.