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News
Updated maps, datasets available to assist Round 2 applicants
Kansas Internet service providers, organizations encouraged to apply for Recovery Act funds
Updated county-level broadband coverage maps and Census block-level datasets are now available at http://www.connectkansas.org/ to assist Kansas service providers and organizations applying for Round 2 federal broadband infrastructure funds.The updated maps and datasets include new information from additional Kansas service providers and better represent nearly every region of Kansas. The maps are printer-friendly and include broadband coverage, cities and towns, county boundaries and detailed road information. The original maps and datasets were posted Feb. 16, the same day that the Round 2 application window opened. The second round closes March 15. A complete statewide interactive map for public consumption and utilization will be unveiled later this month. Background:
Internet service providers and other organizations in Kansas are encouraged to apply for the second round of federal Recovery Act funding for rural broadband Internet projects. Funding is available through two federal programs:Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP)
BIP makes loans and grants to Internet service providers for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service. There is $2.2 billion in BIP funding available.Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)
BTOP provides grants to organizations such as non-profits, government entities, schools, libraries, hospitals and providers to fund broadband infrastructure, public computer centers and sustainable broadband adoption projects. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration. There is $2.6 billion in BTOP funding available.The first round of federal funding ran from July through August 2009, and awards are currently being announced on a rolling basis. From that first round, Kansas provider Rural Telephone Service Co. in January was awarded more than $101 million in grants and loans through BIP for Internet infrastructure projects in rural Kansas. The Kansas Department of Commerce expects additional first-round Kansas applicants to receive awards in the coming months.In addition to providing grants and loans to service providers and organizations, the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration has issued awards to states for broadband mapping and planning. In November 2009, Kansas was awarded $2 million to support Connect Kansas, the state’s mapping and planning initiative.For more information, visit http://www.connectkansas.org/ or contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com.Download press release here. Labels: BIP, BTOP, Connect Kansas
Second round of grants, loans for rural broadband Internet projects opens today
Kansas Internet service providers, organizations encouraged to apply for Recovery Act funding
Internet service providers and other organizations throughout Kansas are encouraged to apply for the second round of federal funding for rural broadband Internet projects beginning today through March 15. The Recovery Act funding is available through two federal programs: Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP)BIP makes loans and grants to Internet service providers for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service. There is $2.2 billion in BIP funding available. Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)BTOP provides grants to organizations such as non-profits, government entities, schools, libraries, hospitals and providers to fund broadband infrastructure, public computer centers and sustainable broadband adoption projects. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration. There is $2.6 billion in BTOP funding available. Applicants can visit http://www.connectkansas.org/ for application information. To assist applicants, the Kansas Department of Commerce will host a Connect Kansas Applicant Webinar on Friday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. at http://www.connectkansas.org/. (Space is limited, so applicants are encouraged to reserve their space immediately.) The Department has also posted Census block-level data and county-level broadband coverage maps at http://www.connectkansas.org/ that include the majority of service areas in the state. A complete statewide map for public consumption and utilization will be unveiled in March. The first round of federal funding ran from July through August 2009, and awards are currently being announced on a rolling basis. From that first round, Kansas provider Rural Telephone Service Co. last month was awarded more than $101 million in grants and loans through BIP for Internet infrastructure projects in rural Kansas. The Kansas Department of Commerce expects additional first-round Kansas applicants to receive awards in the coming months. In addition to providing grants and loans to service providers and organizations, the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration has issued awards to states for broadband mapping and planning. In November 2009, Kansas was awarded $2 million to support Connect Kansas, the state’s mapping and planning initiative. For more information, visit www.ConnectKansas.org or contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com. Download news release here.Labels: BIP, BTOP, Connect Kansas
TOPEKA ─Lt. Governor Troy Findley and Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary Bill Thornton hosted a news conference today to unveil Kansas’ $2 million federal grant for the Connect Kansas rural broadband initiative.
Lt. Governor Findley and Commerce Secretary Thornton provided details of the grant, which will fund broadband mapping and planning through the Connect Kansas initiative. The grant was announced Nov. 30 by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Informatio n Administration.
The award will help Kansas collect data and develop a detailed map of the state’s existing broadband infrastructure. The map will be a crucial tool for businesses, consumers and policymakers involved in the Connect Kansas initiative to increase high-speed Internet access in rural Kansas.
“This is an exciting day for the state, especially for rural Kansas communities that don’t yet have access to high-speed Internet,” Lt. Governor Findley said. “This grant enables us to advance the Connect Kansas initiative and increase the availability of broadband Internet in rural communities. For rural Kansans, this means economic growth through e-commerce, enhanced services through e-government and improvements to overall quality of life.”
Connect Kansas is a Kansas Department of Commerce initiative to increase high-speed Internet access in the state’s underserved rural areas. The initiative has two components: 1) mapping Kansas’ broadband capacity, as well as related planning; and 2) providing federal grants and loans to organizations involved in expanding broadband to rural areas. Today’s announcement concerns only the mapping and planning component.
Kansas matched the grant with $185,000 from the Information Network of Kansas and $15,000 from Kansas Farm Bureau. The state has contracted with Connected Nation, a nationally recognized non-profit specializing in broadband issues and technology, to help with mapping and planning.
Kansas is one of 21 states since October to receive Recovery Act funding through the NTIA for mapping initiatives. NTIA expects to continue announcing awards on a rolling basis throughout the fall. Data from the states’ individual maps will ultimately be displayed in NTIA’s national broadband map.
Kansas businesses, organizations, Internet service providers and citizens are asked to contribute to the mapping process by visiting http://www.connectkansas.org/ and providing information about broadband access in their areas.
“We are pleased to be working with the Department of Commerce and the Governor’s Office to help create a comprehensive broadband map in the state of Kansas,” said Brian R. Mefford, Connected Nation’s chief executive officer.
“We applaud NTIA for working diligently to create a national broadband map and are honored to have been selected to help Kansas in its efforts to close the digital divide in the state.”
For details, visit www.KansasCommerce.com/ConnectKansas or contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com.
Labels: ARRA, Connect Kansas, Connected Nation, NTIA
Recovery Act funding to lay groundwork for increased high-speed Internet in rural Kansas; Lt. Governor Findley, Commerce Secretary Thornton to host news conference Dec. 7 in Topeka
Kansas has been awarded a $2 million matching grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to fund broadband mapping and planning through the Connect Kansas initiative.
The award will help Kansas collect data and develop a detailed map of the state’s existing broadband infrastructure. The map will be a crucial tool for businesses, consumers and policymakers involved in the Connect Kansas initiative to increase high-speed Internet access in rural Kansas.
“High-speed Internet is crucial to our economy, our ability to serve citizens and our overall quality of life,” Governor Mark Parkinson said. “We look forward to utilizing these Recovery Act funds to advance the Connect Kansas initiative and better serve our rural communities.”
Connect Kansas is a Kansas Department of Commerce initiative to increase high-speed Internet access in the state’s underserved rural areas. The initiative is funded primarily by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and has two components: 1) mapping Kansas’ broadband capacity, as well as related planning; and 2) providing federal grants and loans to qualified organizations involved in expanding broadband to rural areas. Today’s announcement concerns only the mapping and planning component.
The mapping component is made possible by a $185,000 contribution from the Information Network of Kansas and $15,000 from Kansas Farm Bureau. The state has contracted with Connected Nation, a national leader in broadband issues and technology, to help with mapping and planning.
“Rural Kansas remains a crucial to our state’s economy and heritage,” said Carole Jordan, Rural Development Division Director for the Kansas Department of Commerce. “We’re excited to move forward with the Connect Kansas initiative and increase broadband access in rural Kansas, which will benefit our state economy, create new Kansas jobs and help us fulfill the mission of the federal Recovery Act.”
Kansas businesses, organizations, Internet service providers and citizens are asked to contribute to the mapping process by visiting www.connectkansas.org and providing information about broadband access in their areas.
“Now that we’ve received federal funding for the mapping process, it’s crucial that Kansas businesses, organizations and everyday citizens provide us data about Internet connectivity in their regions,” Jordan said. “By doing so, they’ll help us create a more complete map, which will allow us to achieve better results throughout rural Kansas.”
Kansas is one of 21 states since October to receive Recovery Act funding through the NTIA for state-level mapping initiatives. NTIA expects to continue announcing awards on a rolling basis throughout the fall. Data from the states’ individual maps will ultimately be displayed in NTIA’s national broadband map.
“We are pleased to be working with the Department of Commerce and the Governor’s Office to help create a comprehensive broadband map in the state of Kansas,” said Brian R. Mefford, Connected Nation’s chief executive officer. “We applaud NTIA for working diligently to create a national broadband map and are honored to have been selected to help Kansas in its efforts to close the digital divide in the state.”
NEWS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR DEC. 7 IN TOPEKA
The Kansas Department of Commerce will celebrate today’s announcement with a news conference hosted by Lt. Governor Troy Findley and Kansas Commerce Secretary Bill Thornton on Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. in the auditorium of Memorial Hall in Topeka. All media, Internet service providers, organizations and citizens are invited to attend.
Download press release here.
Labels: Connect Kansas, NTIA
The Kansas Department of Commerce has recommended 22 state broadband projects for Recovery Act funding through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), officials announced today.
Governor Mark Parkinson submitted the recommended projects to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is implementing BTOP as part of the Recovery Act. BTOP is a $4.9 billion federal grant program designed to increase high-speed Internet access in rural areas and stimulate state economies.
NTIA is expected to announce funded BTOP projects by the end of the year.
“We’re excited to recommend these 22 applications to the NTIA, and we’re optimistic that many of them will be awarded funding,” said Carole Jordan, Rural Development Division Director for the Kansas Department of Commerce. “All of them show great potential for increasing broadband access to rural Kansas, which will benefit our state economy, create new Kansas jobs and help us fulfill the mission of the federal Recovery Act.”
BTOP will provide grants to organizations such as non-profits, government entities, educational institutions, libraries and hospitals to fund broadband infrastructure, public computer centers and sustainable broadband adoption projects.
Per BTOP requirements, the Kansas Department of Commerce was required to screen applicants and then submit a list of recommended projects to the NTIA. Applicants were evaluated on how well they matched state priorities, including service to unserved rural populations and projects that focused on telemedicine, distance learning, economic development and/or e-government.
The Department received 85 applications, which were reviewed by an eight-member interagency committee. The lack of a state recommendation does not preclude an applicant from being funded by NTIA.
A second round of BTOP funding will open in late 2009 or early 2010. Kansas will follow a similar rating process.
BTOP is one of two federal programs enacted in July to increase high-speed Internet in rural areas. The other program is the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP), which provides loans and grants primarily to Internet service providers for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas.
To help administer and promote BTOP and BIP, the Kansas Department of Commerce in July launched the Connect Kansas Initiative. For details, visit KansasCommerce.com.
For more information, contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com.
Labels: BTOP
Washington, DC - Connected Nation, today, using ArcGIS technology in partnership with ESRI, will release statewide maps of rural and remote areas in sevent states to support applications for broadband infastructure funds now available through the American recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Connected Nation will also release Census Block-level broadband data, both in downloadable form and through an interactive online mapping tool, for the state of Minnesota.
Link to Press Release
TOPEKA ─ The Kansas Department of Commerce today launched Connect Kansas, a new initiative designed to increase broadband Internet access throughout rural Kansas.
The initiative, which seeks to be funded primarily by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, comprises two key components: mapping Kansas’ current broadband capacity; and providing federal grants and loans to qualified organizations involved in expanding broadband to rural areas.
The initial mapping is funded by a major grant from the Information Network of Kansas and assistance from Kansas Farm Bureau. The grants and loans come from the U.S. departments of Commerce and Agriculture as part of the 2009 stimulus plan. The Kansas Department of Commerce, in conjunction with a team of cooperating state agencies, is leading the Connect Kansas initiative.
Mapping
The first component of Connect Kansas is the mapping of the state's current broadband capacity. Internet service providers, businesses and citizens are asked to visit http://www.connectkansas.org/ to contribute data to the mapping process. Kansans can also visit the site to test their connection speed and learn about broadband in their area. Updated maps will be available on the site as data are submitted. The site and its maps are being maintained by Connected Nation, a national nonprofit that specializes in broadband and related technologies.
Federal Grants and Loans
Kansas organizations and Internet service providers are invited to apply for federal funding intended to improve broadband Internet access in rural areas. The funding is available through two federal programs:
- Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service, BIP will make loans and grants primarily to Internet service providers for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas.
- Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration, BTOP will provide grants to various organizations ─ such non-profits, educational institutions, libraries and hospitals ─ to fund broadband infrastructure, public computer centers and sustainable broadband adoption projects.
The federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has committed more than $7 billion for states to increase broadband capacity in underserved areas. The Obama Administration and members of Congress have repeatedly referenced improved broadband access as an important part of the overall federal stimulus effort.
“We’re excited to launch the Connect Kansas initiative, and we look forward to bringing high-speed Internet to all regions of our state,” said Secretary of Commerce David D. Kerr. “This initiative will allow us to better serve rural Kansas and help with national economic recovery efforts by creating jobs and encouraging investment in new infrastructure. I encourage all Kansas businesses and service providers to contribute to the mapping process by visiting http://www.connectkansas.org/ and to explore the development of new technologies in their region.”
In preparation for today’s launch, the Kansas Department of Commerce in recent months has arranged meetings with the telecommunications industry and hosted regional forums to discuss broadband resources. The Department is also managing a contract with Connected Nation for the development and maintenance of http://www.connectkansas.org/.
For more information, contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.org.
Labels: Connect Kansas
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