Lenora, KS, July 31, 2024 — Nex-Tech proudly announces that it has been awarded the prestigious Community Impact Award at the Fiber Connect 2024 conference by the Fiber Broadband Association. This award is part of the Fiber Forward AMPLIFY Awards, which celebrate significant contributions to the fiber broadband industry by recognizing outstanding individuals, companies, and innovations.

For decades, Nex-Tech has been a pioneer in connecting rural Kansas communities through its extensive fiber broadband network. With over 8,100 miles of deployed fiber, Nex-Tech serves over 70 communities across nearly 11,000 square miles.

Nex-Tech’s commitment to enhancing community life is evident in its support of various sectors including education, agriculture, enterprise, healthcare, trade, tourism, and local social activities. With Gig-speed fiber broadband, Nex-Tech facilitates essential connections: families and friends, learners to knowledge, patients to healthcare, and businesses to markets.

Continuing its Fiber-to-the-Home initiative, Nex-Tech is actively expanding its fiber network to additional Kansas communities such as Moundridge, Goessel, Clayton, Herndon, rural Decatur County, rural Saline County, Salina, Kirwin, and Great Bend. A dedicated Grant Team works tirelessly to secure funding essential for extending fiber services to underserved rural areas.

“In December of 2023, Nex-Tech was honored as a Fiber Broadband Association Certified Fiber Provider, underscoring our dedication to delivering the fastest, most reliable broadband services via fiber networks,” said Jimmy Todd, Nex-Tech’s Chief Executive Officer. “Receiving the Community Impact Award from the Fiber Broadband Association is a testament to our unwavering commitment to bringing cutting-edge fiber technology to all of our communities.”

Nex-Tech continues to promote fiber adoption by providing free Wi-Fi hotspots in over 250 public spaces, including libraries, schools, recreational areas, restaurants, and places of worship. Additionally, local libraries benefit from free mainstream internet connectivity of 500 Mbps or higher.

The impact of Nex-Tech’s Fiber-to-the-Home project extends to educational institutions, enabling e-learning and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for healthcare facilities. Mark Griffin, Assistant Vice President of Technology Services and Chief Information Officer, at Fort Hays State University, shared, “Prior to their [Nex-Tech’s] Fiber-to-the-Home project, students (especially in rural areas) could not get quality Internet access. Nex-Tech’s investments in Kansas basically revolutionized Internet access in Western Kansas, making remote learning possible from almost anywhere in the region.” And Tabetha Harris, Public Relations/Marketing and Human Resources Assistant at Norton County Hospital attests to this: “Nex-Tech’s high-quality, dependable Internet solutions, fast speeds, and responsive customer support have been instrumental in our mission to deliver excellent healthcare services.”

Michael Pollock, Chief Operating Officer at Nex-Tech, reflects on the company’s journey: “For the past 23 years, I have witnessed Nex-Tech’s passionate efforts to deploy fiber across rural Kansas. This transformation has significantly impacted education, commerce, healthcare, and remote work in our service areas.”

Doug Mohney, Editor-in-Chief of Fiber Forward, commended the award recipients: “These individuals and organizations are driving the fiber broadband industry forward, ensuring every community can access reliable fiber connectivity. Congratulations to all the 2024 winners.”

All Fiber Forward AMPLIFY Award winners were celebrated at Fiber Connect 2024 during the Awards Luncheon on Monday, July 29. For more information about the event, visit the conference website or subscribe to FBA’s Fiber Forward Weekly newsletter.