Great Bend, KS – December 4, 2025 – The Great Bend Public Library is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Community Grant Program. This generous grant will allow the library to replace its AWE computers (childhood digital literacy stations) with new, all-in-one desktop stations featuring tough-screen capabilities to enhance learning and usability for young children.

The check presentation took place on November 25, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the library’s efforts to provide state-of-the-art technology and services to its patrons. The grant will allow the library to continue to serve the community by providing learning possibilities, supporting education, and serve as a place for community engagement. The resources will have an impact on the residents of Great Bend and the surrounding rural areas.

As part of its ongoing commitment to rural communities across the country, FRS offers aid to communities served by NTCA members through its annual Community Grant Program. These grants are designed to provide support to a variety of local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America. Applications for these grants are accepted each spring, ranging from $250 to $5,000. The grants awarded in October support a variety of projects concentrated in four major categories: business and economic development, community development, education, and telecommunications applications.

FRS provides priority to projects that could be fully funded by the grant maximum of $5,000 or have at least 75% of the project currently funded. They also focus on technology and broadband-enabled projects, those with a long-term impact on the community and its residents, projects that promote community participation and engagement, and initiatives that create a more sustainable rural community.

“The Great Bend Public Library is delighted to have been chosen as a grant recipient by Nex-Tech and the Foundation for Rural Service. The grant will be used to replace aging early-literacy computer stations in the children’s area. It is imperative in our ever changing world that children are exposed to teaching technology at an early age and these new stations will help reach that goal. Our patrons will be thrilled to have new technology to learn with!” said Lisa Zier of the Great Bend Public Library.

Nex-Tech is proud to support the Great Bend Public Library in its efforts to secure this grant. The library was able to submit their application for the grant because they are in a community served by Nex-Tech, a NTCA member. Nex-Tech encourages organizations across their service footprint to apply for this grant each year and is proud to provide support during the application process.