December 9, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Haviland Broadband Announces Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Fiber Optic Deployment Funded by Kansas LINC Grant
[Haviland, KS] – [12/9/2024] – Haviland Broadband is pleased to announce a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of its Fiber Optic Deployment Project, made possible by a generous Lasting Infrastructure & Network Connectivity (LINC) grant from the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD). The event will take place on Tuesday, December 17 at the Kiowa County Fairgrounds Building, 720 N Bay St, in Greensburg, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 1:00 p.m.. Local officials, project partners, and members of the community are invited to attend and witness this important milestone in expanding high-speed internet access in rural Kiowa County.
The LINC project is designed to bring reliable, high-speed internet service to underserved areas, helping to bridge the digital divide and improve access to essential services for residents, businesses, and institutions. This project is a key part of Haviland Broadband’s commitment to promoting economic growth, education, and innovation in our region.
“We are excited to celebrate the successful completion of the LINC Project, which will provide fast and dependable internet access to residents and businesses in rural Kiowa County,” said Diane Thompson, General Manager of Haviland Broadband. “This project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development, Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation and the City of Greensburg. We are grateful for their commitment to fostering connectivity and opportunity for our community.”
The project has been funded by a $2 million grant from Kansas Office of Broadband Development, which was awarded as part of an initiative to improve broadband infrastructure and access across Kansas. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the culmination of a year of fiber optic construction placing over 73 miles of fiber to over 150 businesses and households.
The ribbon-cutting event will include remarks from local officials, project stakeholders, and representatives of KOBD. Refreshments will be provided, and the public is encouraged to attend and learn more about the positive impact the project will have on the community.
For more information about the LINC Project or the ribbon-cutting ceremony, please contact Jayci Smitherman, Marketing Manager, at 620-862-3206 or jayci@havilandtelco.com.
Fact Sheet
|
Partner |
Contribution |
|
Kansas Office of Broadband Development – LINC Grant |
$2,100,000 |
|
Haviland Broadband |
$240,000 |
|
Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation – Broadband Development Program |
$25,000 |
|
City of Greensburg – In-kind match of right-of-way fees |
$10,000 |
Miles of fiber placed: 74 miles
Number of locations passed: 102 residential, 50 business/farm, 2 government/public
Prior to investment, the locations received between 10/1 Mbps to 50/10 Mbps, primarily through fixed wireless technologies. Because of this project, they can now receive speeds up to 1Gbps/1Gbps.
Area served: City of Greensburg (North of US Highway 54), rural Greensburg, rural Haviland.
About Haviland Broadband:
Haviland Broadband is a telecommunication, broadband, and managed service provider serving south-central Kansas for nearly 75 years. Haviland Broadband is headquartered in Haviland, KS with an additional office in Conway Springs. Over the last five years, Haviland Broadband has built fiber in the towns of Greensburg, Haviland, Argonia, Coldwater, Mullinville, Conway Springs, and Norwich. Please visit Haviland Broadband’s website (www.havilandbroadband.com) for more information.
About Kansas Office of Broadband Development:
A division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) was established in 2020 to help ensure all Kansans have the opportunity to live, work, learn, and compete in a global economy by improving universal access to quality, affordable and reliable broadband. Please visit the KOBD website (https://www.kansascommerce.gov/officeofbroadbanddevelopment/) for more information.
Green: LINC grant partnership funded
Yellow: Haviland Broadband privately funded
