Grants Awarded to Rainbow

in 2024, Rainbow is proud to announce they have been awarded $653,526 from the State of Kansas as part of their Broadband Acceleration Grant (BAG) fund. Rainbow was one of 12 internet service providers to be awarded funds from this $10 million round of BAG grants.

Rainbow will invest $800,150 to complete the $1.4 million project. This project will connect 99 homes in rural Troy and Wathena that are currently considered underserved or unserved. “We are excited to be able to expand our fiber network to homes that are not adequately served,” said Angie Kreider, Director of Business Development for Rainbow. “Bringing high-quality broadband fiber services to rural areas is not just about connecting homes; it’s about empowering communities, fostering economic growth, and ensuring everyone has access to the opportunities of the digital age.”

The Broadband Acceleration Grant is a 10-year, $85 million program designed to bring essential internet access to Kansas communities. This is the 4th year of the BAG program, which was initiated in 2020.

To see the State of Kansas Press Release visit: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/2024/07/governor-kelly-announces-10m-for-...

In 2020, Rainbow Communications was awarded a $2.8 million Connectivity Emergency Response Grant (CERG) to expand its fiber network in Effingham and Lancaster to reach underserved rural broadband areas during a time when broadband connectivity is essential. Rainbow was very grateful for the opportunity to bring its neighboring towns a better broadband experience. Click here to read more about the grant. 

Advocacy

Advocating for broadband in rural areas is always top-of-mind for Rainbow Communications. Our GM/CEO, Jason Smith, recently had the opportunity to visit with Senator Jerry Moran and his Legislative Assistant, Garrison Homberg on a few different occasions. They were able to discuss the outcome of the Rural Digital Opportunites Fund (RDOF) auction. Smith was able to share concerns that rural consumers who do not have service today would be left behind due to the auction results. 

Business Development

Our staff members are deeply committed to giving back. We volunteer our time to help create, retain, and expand businesses right here in Northeast Kansas.

Our staff can be found serving on various boards, including Northeast Kansas Enterprise Facilitation; Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development; Sabetha, Hiawatha, and Seneca Chambers of Commerce.

We also can connect businesses to grant opportunities available through telecommunication-related organizations such as the Foundation for Rural Services which seeks to support local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America. Also available is the Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program (REDLG) Program through the USDA. The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility is responsible for repayment to USDA. Learn more here. 

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