(KAIR)--Increasing high speed internet access in Doniphan County took another step forward last week, with monies committed, and a grant application approved. Now, community input is needed to be successful in the application.

Funding comes in the way of the County’s $1.4 million in America Rescue Plan funds.

That sum, following closed door, executive session discussion, will be used for broadband expansion along the U.S. Highway 36 corridor, from the east Troy city limits to the west Wathena city limits.

The expenditure was approved unanimously by the Commission.

Also decided last week was applying for a Kansas Capital Project Fund grant, with the state making available $83.5 in grant funding opportunities.

Doniphan County Economic Development Director Leah Johnson told the Commissioners the County would like to apply, in partnership with Rainbow Communications and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, with the grant’s purpose being to bring high speed internet into homes across Kansas.

As part of the grant application process, Doniphan County residents are asked to complete a survey and speed test, located on the Doniphan County website, dp-countyks-dot com. A written testimonial on the importance of high speed internet can also be submitted to the County.

A particular focus of the survey is placed on the affects felt by homes who went without high speed internet during the coronavirus pandemic, despite the increased need for online usage for such factors as distance learning.
The speed test and survey, approved by the Commission along with making the grant application, must be completed by August 15.

The grant application is due four days later, on August 19.