(KNZA)--A $498,000 broadband grant has been awarded to the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska to enhance public Wi-Fi services at community hubs and replace outdated equipment.

That's according to a release from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, which says the grant “will also establish a technology learning center for staff and Tribal members, promoting digital inclusion through educational and workforce opportunities, public health, and economic development.”

Kelly, in the release, says the grant “represents a significant step forward” in the State's efforts “to provide communities with the modern digital tools they need to thrive,” adding that the funding “will continue to propel the state and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska forward, ensuring that all Kansans can fully participate in the global economy."

The funds are from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, known as TBCP, made available through the federal Internet for All initiative and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska is one of eight tribes to receive funding from the available $3.9 million.

TBCP aims to connect underserved Tribal communities with affordable, high-speed internet service, empowering them to work, learn, and access critical services.

Since its inception, the TBCP has awarded more than $1.78 billion to 191 Tribal entities across the country, marking record investments in high-speed internet deployment. It ensures equitable distribution of grant dollars in recognition of the federal Indian trust responsibility and fiduciary obligation to Tribal governments.