Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced a $10.7 million round of funding for the state’s Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology program.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday the state is opening a second round of funding for its Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology, or ADOPT, program, which will provide $10.7 million to expand Wi-FI access and digital devices across the state.
The ADOPT program allows community organizations to apply for maximum grants of $1 million for digital devices or $500,000 for building Wi-Fi networks, provided they offer 5% or 2% fund matches, respectively.
“The ADOPT program has an immediate impact on Kansans. We are able to remove technological barriers and provide tools necessary to navigate today’s digital environment,” Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in a press release. “Through access to devices and public wi-fi, individuals can enhance job skills, participate in telehealth appointments, engage in online learning, and do remote work, furthering their ability to succeed in the future economy.”
Providing greater access to high-speed internet and improving digital device access and education to underserved areas is a key priority in states seeking to provide the public with low-cost and uniform access to the web. Pennsylvania last month announced it would boost its laptop lending programs, offering more than 9,000 devices to residents through libraries, workforce training organizations, nonprofits and local governments.
“KOBD continues to engage with our neighbors while being future-focused on our mission to ensure all Kansans can access digital tools needed to thrive,” Interim Director of Kansas Office of Broadband Development Joseph Le said in the release. “We have been encouraged by the innovative ideas and partnerships developed in the first round of ADOPT, and we expect this second round to continue to propel Kansas forward.”
States, including Kansas, are also relying on funding through the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. A study published last September by the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society concluded that the ability of states to use the funding effectively will be contingent on their permitting processes.
Written by Colin Wood
Colin Wood is the editor in chief of StateScoop and EdScoop. He’s reported on government information technology policy for more than a decade, on topics including cybersecurity, IT governance and public safety.