Kansas Governor announces $3.7 million to connect 350 Kickapoo homes with broadband

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas has received a grant of more than $3.7 million to connect over 350 Native American households and businesses with broadband.

“By connecting more than 350 Kickapoo households and businesses to high-speed internet, we’re continuing to deliver on our bold and ambitious goal to make Kansas a top 10 state for broadband access by 2030,” Governor Laura Kelly said.

The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas was one of the 23 Tribal communities across the country who received an “Internet for All” grant to expand access to affordable, high-speed internet. This funding advances Governor Laura Kelly’s goal of improving internet connectivity in Kansas communities.

“The ability to build strong connections with each other, our families, and with the world at large is at the center of our community values and is an important key to our future,” Lester Randall, Kickapoo Tribal Chairman, said. “The funds from this grant will provide our community with accessible high-speed internet, enhancing opportunities for economic development and educational achievement while increasing access to critical health and safety resources. We look forward to bringing broadband infrastructure and services to our Kickapoo community very soon.”

In 2020, Governor Kelly established the Kansas Office of Broadband Development to connect Kansans in unserved and underserved areas to high-speed internet. That year, the Governor also launched the state’s only broadband investment program, the Broadband Acceleration Grant Program, which has since brought more than $70 million of broadband infrastructure investment to Kansas communities.