Nex-Tech Engages Governor Kelly and State Legislators in Topeka

Earlier this week, the Nex-Tech team engaged the Kansas State Governor, Laura Kelly, and several state legislators at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, KS. The team was part of the annual capitol delegation of rural broadband providers across Kansas under the Communications Coalition of Kansas (CCK) umbrella.

During the meeting with the Governor, Friday Otuya, Community Engagement Specialist, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the executive branch in supporting and promoting rural development, while also noting some aspects of broadband deployment where improvements will be appreciated.

CCK members, like Nex-Tech, are Rural Local Exchange Carriers (RLECs) that carry broadband through hundreds of miles, across dozens of communities, as well as to agricultural, educational, governmental, and healthcare institutions. In short, CCK members form the backbone of high-speed connectivity for the most rural economies of Kansas. CCK members serve 50% of the state’s geographic area, 104 out of the state’s 105 counties, and about 15% of households. In 2024 alone, CCK members will invest over $200 million (of internally generated funds) to build broadband networks in Kansas.

The Nex-Tech team engaged with legislators across multiple counties within our service footprint, including Sen. Elaine Bowers, Senator Rick Billinger, and Rep. Ken Rahjes. The CCK delegation also visited with Senate President Ty Masterson, House Majority Leader Chris Croft, and House Utilities Chair Leo Delperdang. The CCK also testified before the House and Senate Utilities Committees on Tuesday. Read the CCK testimony here. Watch testimony to the Senate Committee on Utilities here.