In 2023, Nex-Tech was awarded over $2.2 million through the Kansas Capital Project Funds (CPF) Broadband Infrastructure Program to bring broadband access to one of the most underserved regions in Kansas: a 99% unserved area in rural Saline County. Nex-Tech matched this amount, contributing an additional $2,293,000 to the project. Thanks to this vital funding, Nex-Tech was able to construct the necessary infrastructure to deliver high-speed fiber broadband to this rural community, a transformative step forward for both residents and businesses. Since receiving the grant, our team has been hard at work, not only building out the network but also engaging with the community to ensure long-term success and adoption.

Today, that vision is a reality. Rural Saline County now has access to fast, reliable broadband, a crucial resource for education, healthcare, economic development, and daily life in the modern world. To mark the completion of this project, we were honored to welcome representatives from the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) for a field validation and site visit. Thank you to Shelley Paasch, Broadband Partnerships Coordinator, and Russell Dunlap, Broadband Middle Mile Program Manager, for joining us for this visit! During the visit, we toured Rural Fire District #7, a designated Community Anchor Institution (CAI). CAIs play a vital role in broadband expansion by serving as local connectivity hubs and helping extend access deeper into the community, as well as several all locations where Nex-Tech fiber was placed.

The visit showcased not only the tangible results of this investment, but also Nex-Tech’s long-standing commitment to ensuring that all Kansans, regardless of location, have access to essential connectivity. One example of this commitment is the free Wi-Fi Nex-Tech provides at Salina Regional Health Center, ensuring that patients and families can stay connected when it matters most. The successful completion of this project is a testament to what can be accomplished when public investment meets local commitment. Nex-Tech is proud to have played a key role in bringing lasting broadband infrastructure to rural Saline County, and we remain dedicated to closing the digital divide across Kansas.