WASHINGTON -- Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released the following statement after USDA Sec. Sonny Perdue announced funding for rural broadband projects in Kansas and Oklahoma.
"For years, access to reliable, high-speed internet has been essential for students, businesses, farmers and more, yet access was often unavailable for Kansans living in rural parts of our state," said Rep. Estes. "The current crisis has only exacerbated this problem. Expanding rural broadband has long been one of my priorities, and today's announcement that this project will receive more than $71 million from the USDA is an exciting next step in ensuring more Kansans can quickly access the internet."
The entire project will receive $71 million in grants, with more than $18 million going to Chautauqua County. This funding is from the first round of grants awarded by the USDA's Broadband ReConnect Program, which provides funds for the expansion of broadband service in eligible rural areas.