How much money do Kansas and Missouri get for broadband under Biden’s infrastructure law?

Kansas and Missouri will collectively receive more than $2.1 billion in federal funding to expand broadband internet under the infrastructure law passed by Congress in 2021 and signed by President Joe Biden.

Both states must now submit plans describing how they want to spend that money.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced Monday how much each state will receive of the nearly $42.5 billion included for high-speed internet grants as part of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Kansas will get $452 million and Missouri will get $1.7 billion.

Access to broadband remains a challenge in some areas in both states. About 4.3% of Kansas households and 6.9% of Missouri households lack fixed broadband access, according to Census estimates. Roughly one in 10 households in both states lack either a computer or broadband subscription.

“My administration is committed to ensuring every Kansan, regardless of their zip code, has access to fast and reliable internet connectivity, bringing additional economic growth, educational opportunities, and telehealth services,” Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement. “This funding advances our progress toward being a top 10 state for broadband access by 2030.”

The federal infrastructure law passed with bipartisan support, though former Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri was the only GOP lawmaker representing the Kansas City area to vote in favor. Biden, a Democrat, signed the measure into law in November 2021.

Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parson in a statement praised Blunt’s efforts to secure broadband funding.

“This significant allocation will greatly assist our ongoing investments in Missouri’s broadband infrastructure and build upon our recent $400 million investment,” Parson said, referring to funding previously approved by state legislators. “We’re excited to be among the top five states in BEAD funding as we work to ensure every Missourian has access to a quality internet connection.”

After Kansas and Missouri are formally notified on June 30 of the funding amounts, state officials will have 180 days to submit proposals describing how they want to administer the grant programs, according to the Commerce Department.

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development is developing strategic plans related to high-speed internet, and Kelly’s office encouraged residents to take an online speed test at broadbandks.com. In Missouri, Parson’s office said the funding would be used by the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development for its Connecting All Missourians initiative.

Additional Kansas City-area infrastructure law funding was also announced Monday. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority will receive $14.8 million in federal infrastructure law funding, Democratic Reps. Emanuel Cleaver and Sharice Davids said.

KCATA will get $10.4 million for upgrades to its bus storage and battery electric vehicle charging facility. The authority will also receive a $4.5 million grant to evaluate a high-capacity east-west transit connection, and to finish street enhancements between the University of Kansas Health System and the Rock Island Corridor/Truman Sports Complex.