Nex-Tech Blog

Today stakeholders agree that there is a direct relationship between the availability of adequate and affordable childcare and the presence of a professional and ready workforce in a community. When families have adequate childcare, they are more likely to increase the time they invest in economic activities, thereby contributing to the local economy. In turn, families can earn more income to afford the goods or services of a company.

Our grant team works tirelessly to prepare applications and explain all these facts to grant-giving bodies on why rural communities should get high-quality connectivity. But we also do more.

For many years, Nex-Tech has supported rural communities across our service footprint. Today we continue to do so by offering advice and guidance to local leaders on innovative ways to foster development. Community Engagement Specialist, Friday Otuya, writes about an innovative engagement cycle that could lead to community progress on local issues.

At the end of July 2024, the fiber broadband industry will gather in the city of Nashville, Tennessee for Fiber Connect 2024. With the industry getting excited about what could be the biggest fiber broadband expansion period in the industry thanks to BEAD funding, I have been reflecting on one of Nex-Tech’s most impactful fiber deployment projects – the deployment of fiber to McCarty Family Farms, in Rexford, Kansas.

Recently, I was in Manhattan KS to attend a regional Advocacy Comment Tour held by the SBA Office of Advocacy in Manhattan, KS. The Office of Advocacy is a designated office within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that advocates for the interests of small businesses, such as Nex-Tech, before the federal government. The tour was meant to gather comments and concerns from small businesses and stakeholders regarding any proposed regulations and other potential federal actions that may impact small businesses.

The Nex-Tech broadband network has long been a game-changer for farms and ranches across Northwest and Central Kansas. Community Engagement Specialist, Friday Otuya, recently visited the LaRosh Farms in Osborne County, KS. He explains how our broadband enables precision agriculture, supports the food production ecosystem beyond Kansas, and forms the bedrock on which many farms and families depend. Indeed, Nex-Tech drives and sustains food security in the nation and beyond.

If your answer is no, then you need to join me on one of my frequent tours. Trust me, it’s a pleasant ride across the wide-open plains and prairies, dotted with farms, ranches, tight-knit communities, and cool people who would wave at you to express their goodwill.

The Kansas Office for Broadband Development (KOBD) and various community stakeholders recently visited Nex-Tech and toured our broadband development project in Saline County, KS. Community Engagement Specialist, Friday Otuya, reflects on community and stakeholder involvement in effective broadband development.

Did you know Nex-Tech has two programs that help the local economy across our service footprint?
Nex-Tech gives out loans and grants through:
– The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG) and
– The Nex-Tech Revolving Loan Fund (RLF).

For many years Nex-Tech has invested in youth development across northwest and central Kansas. We pioneered the founding of Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) organization). We continue to sow the seeds of community involvement in the minds of youths.