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Thursday
March 28th, 2024

kansas state sealELLY GRIMM • Leader & Times

 

Projects for broadband expansion are continuing throughout the U.S. and recently, Gov. Laura Kelly made an announcement for more upcoming work in Kansas.

Last Wednesday, Gov. Kelly announced a statewide initiative to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a program that helps lower-income families pay for high-speed internet, according to a State of Kansas release.

“The ACP is a $14.2 billion federal broadband benefit that provides eligible households a monthly discount of up to $30 per month (up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands) and a one-time $100 discount toward a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet,” the State of Kansas release noted. “There are 438,634 Kansas households eligible for the ACP, yet only 93,244 (21 percent) of those eligible have enrolled.”

“Access to high-speed internet in today's economy isn't a luxury – it’s a necessity,” Gov. Kelly noted in the State of Kansas release. “The Affordable Connectivity Program makes it easier for families in both rural and urban areas to access essential digital tools – something that's essential as Kansas continues to work toward being a top 10 state for broadband access by 2030. More Kansans need to know about it.”

“The Kelly Administration is firmly committed not only to ensuring broadband connectivity is made available to all Kansans,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland noted in the State of Kansas release. “But that it is affordable as well. ACP helps reduce that barrier for individuals who need the help. In partnership with EducationSuperHighway, a national non-profit with a mission to close the broadband affordability gap, the governor’s initiative will build a broad coalition of local stakeholders, service providers, non-profit organizations, and higher learning institutions to overcome the barriers that prevent households in under-resourced communities from enrolling.”

“It will require all of these partners working together to bridge the digital divide that exists in Kansas,” Director of Broadband Development Jade Piros de Carvalho noted in the State of Kansas release. “The ACP is another important step at increasing broadband access across the state and will result in more connected Kansans.”

ACP-eligible households include families with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level and those who qualify for Lifeline, SNAP, Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch, WIC, and other government-funded programs. Combined with commitments by Internet Service Providers to deliver high-speed internet plans for no more than $30 per month, eligible households can receive high-speed internet at no cost by pairing their ACP benefit with one of these “free with ACP” broadband plans.

“Kansas is leading the way in closing the digital divide by ensuring eligible households know about the Affordable Connectivity Program, can easily enroll, and then sign up for high-speed internet service,” EducationSuperHighway CEO Evan Marwell noted in the State of Kansas release. “We applaud Gov. Kelly’s bold leadership in removing the barriers that keep millions unconnected. EducationSuperHighway will support statewide awareness by training community leaders and partner organizations and providing outreach materials to help households enroll. The non-profit recently launched getacp.org/kansas to simplify the ACP enrollment process by helping eligible households determine the easiest way to qualify and learn more about ‘free with ACP’ broadband plans available at their address.”

This is only the latest announcement regarding broadband and technology access. Earlier this month, Gov. Kelly announced Kansas is the first state to receive $15 million in U.S. Department of Treasury Digital Connectivity Technology (DCT) funds. The money will support equal access to high-speed internet, provide devices to underserved Kansans, and expand digital skills training for communities across Kansas. 

“It’s not enough to expand high-speed internet across Kansas – we must also show Kansans of all ages and backgrounds how to make the internet a useful tool in their everyday lives,” Gov. Kelly noted in a March 8 State of Kansas release. “These funds will provide the devices and skills training to help every Kansan benefit from our investments to make high-speed internet available in their local communities. We were the first in the country to recognize the need to design a program that offers free computers and free public Wi-Fi to underserved Kansans with these funds. DCT is made available under the American Rescue Act Capital Projects Fund (CPF). States have the option to put all CPF dollars toward broadband infrastructure or to set aside some of the funding for programs that ensure broadband is more fully accessible to hard-to-reach communities.”

“We know infrastructure is not enough to bridge the digital divide in underserved areas,” Jade Piros de Carvalho, Director of the Kansas Office of Broadband,  noted in the March 8 State of Kansas release. “Our office is excited to put these dollars to work to bring Kansans unique opportunities that provide needed equipment and skills training. The Office of Broadband has been conducting meetings across the state to solicit feedback for a five-year broadband access and digital equity strategic plan. These listening sessions have also highlighted the need for laptops/computers, public Wi-Fi, and digital training programs.”