Emporia State University played host to a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new statewide broadband project that aims to increase connectivity for all residents.
Cremer Hall on the University’s campus played host to the ceremony recognizing the development of the Freestate Middle Mile Network.
Emporia State University Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer Doug Polston says the university was proud to host the ceremony, adding it was a fitting partnership, noting that as internet access expands across the state, specifically within rural communities, cybersecurity and fraud prevention will be central focuses that accompany that expansion. With Emporia State being a leader in education on those subjects, he felt the event was a great opportunity to showcase how important an asset the university can be.
The program, funded by a nearly $43 million grant from the National Telecommunication and Information Administration, is a 600-mile-long network that will further help to bridge the digital divide between rural areas, augmenting public safety, transportation and other community opportunities. The Research and Education Network in Kansas (KanREN) initially funded the program and handled the research and applications for the grants that provided the project’s funding.
KanREN Executive Director Chris Crook, one of the featured speakers Wednesday, told KVOE News the establishment of this new network can be just the starting point for future improvements across the entire state.
In addition to KanREN, the program was developed in partnership between many state and regional entities, including the Kansas Office of Broadband Development, the Kansas Department of Transportation and IdeaTek, all of whom were represented at Wednesday’s ceremony. During his comments at Wednesday’s festivities, Bill Abston, Director of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development, called the network a “tremendous milestone for Kansas” and a “Northstar” for the state that showcases “The endless possibilities of partnerships, critical infrastructure, opportunities and momentum.”
During his comments Wednesday, IdeaTek General Counsel and Director of Broadband Advocacy Ethan Kaplan called the program a “pivotal step for every Kansan that depends on reliable high-speed internet.” He added that the project clearly supports the agency’s overall mission of providing residents with connectivity to fast, reliable high-speed internet, no matter where they live.
Also speaking Wednesday was Kansas Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reid stated that in addition to the various partnerships mentioned, the program was also made possible by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s “Whole of government” mentality.
Also in attendance Wednesday were local lawmakers representing Lyon County, including 17th District Senator Mike Argabright of Olpe, who says the network is a victory for all Kansans.
Also in attendance was 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia who says broadband connectivity has been a major focus for state lawmakers throughout almost the entirety of his tenure in the legislature. Impressing on the importance of connectivity in today’s world, he says the network will help make a “Brighter future for all of Kansas.”
For more information on the Freestate Middle Mile Network, please visit the Kansas Department of Commerce website, Kansascommerce.gov.
