TOPEKA — Kansas officials announced Tuesday that $23 million is available to improve broadband infrastructure across the state through the Broadband Acceleration Grant (BAG) program. According to the Kansas Department of Commerce, grants of up to $1 million will be awarded to offset the costs for providers deploying service in unserved areas of Kansas.
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, who unveiled the funding, said the program is about more than internet access.
“Ensuring that every Kansan has access to high-speed internet is not just about connectivity — it’s about economic mobility and community growth,” Toland said. “These grants provide long-term, sustainable benefits by fostering innovation, attracting businesses, and supporting and retaining the workforce across the state.”
The BAG program, now in its fifth year through the bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE), prioritizes unserved areas, economically distressed communities, and regions of compelling need. Over the first four years, the program delivered high-speed internet to more than 11,000 homes and businesses in 35 counties. The initial $25 million in grants generated an additional $31 million in matching funds.
“The Broadband Acceleration Grant program is an important part of KDOT’s commitment to modernizing Kansas’ infrastructure,” Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed said. “Just as transportation infrastructure connects communities to opportunity, reliable broadband access is essential to building a stronger, more connected Kansas.”
Bill Abston, Director of Broadband Development, said the program supports growth across all sectors. “By continuing to invest in broadband we are not just investing in critical infrastructure, we are investing in the future of every Kansan,” Abston said. “The Broadband Acceleration Grant program is a critical tool to ensuring that all Kansans, no matter where they live, can access their high-speed digital future.”
The grant application period opens at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and closes at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
