Nex-Tech Completes CPF Project in Saline County

By Ella Burrows  

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 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.