Broadband Acceleration Grant Program 

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development, housed within the Kansas Department of Commerce, administers the Broadband Acceleration Grant program to expand reliable, high-quality internet access across Kansas. The current round, referred to as BAG 5.0, combines program Years 5 and 6 into a single competitive funding cycle focused on last-mile and necessary middle-mile infrastructure that enables at least 100/20 Mbps service, with a strong preference for scalable solutions and fiber where practicable. The program was launched in 2020 under the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation (IKE) program to invest in long-term connectivity and digital opportunity statewide. BAG 5.0 makes $23 million available in FY2025, with individual awards up to $2,000,000 and an expected ~20 awards. Projects must primarily target unserved areas—defined where locations lack reliable 100/20 Mbps service—and will be scored more favorably if they address economically distressed communities or other areas of compelling need. Eligible project types include last-mile deployments and middle-mile segments only where required to deliver the last-mile solution. Reimbursement occurs monthly for validated, allowable construction expenses during the period of performance. Eligible applicants are entities authorized to provide broadband in the proposed area, including political subdivisions and their entities, tribal governments, corporations and LLCs, cooperatives, electric utilities, partnerships and other business entities, and nonprofit organizations. The program requires a 50% applicant match; a separate co-investment of at least $1 from community partners or other contributors is also required and may offset the applicant match. In-kind contributions may count toward match (up to 50% of the required match) with documentation. Preconstruction planning or design costs are not eligible; eligible costs are construction-related capital expenses (facilities, materials, equipment, direct labor, permitting, installation and testing) directly tied to the build that will serve end users. Applicants must exclude locations encumbered by BEAD, prior BAG 4.0 awards, and other state or federal broadband awards approved for deployment. KOBD uses the latest FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC) fabric to verify eligibility and requires applications to meet an 80% Degree of Unserved threshold across proposed locations. Minimum qualifying service is 100/20 Mbps; symmetric services are encouraged and KOBD prioritizes scalability toward gigabit and beyond. Affordability goals target approximately $60/month for 100 Mbps service (asymmetric or symmetric), and applicants may be asked during interviews how long they can maintain that pricing target. Applications are submitted through the state’s online portal and must include a publicly posted project proposal and service-area map (.kmz), narratives on community and service partners with letters of commitment/support, justification of need, adoption/affordability plans, a detailed technical project plan and architecture diagram, proprietary location and coverage evidence (locations list and/or polygons conforming to FCC BDC specifications), project plan and milestones, equipment workbooks by technology, budget and bill of materials using the program template, bank verification of match capacity (or accepted alternatives), and required attestations. Submissions that are incomplete or missing required attachments will not be rated. The BAG 5.0 timeline: Guidelines posted October 1, 2025; application window opens October 3, 2025 and closes October 31, 2025 (5 pm CT). Public comment runs November 3–7, followed by an applicant response period through November 14. Application reviews begin October 31; applicant interviews begin November 20; leadership review occurs December 16; awards are announced on or after December 17, 2025. Period of performance is 24 months from contract execution; grantees provide monthly narrative and expenditure reports and request reimbursements per the published schedule. Closeout requires as-built validations, speed/latency tests for a sample of enabled locations, submission of enabled BSLs, and final financial documentation. Evaluation combines Application Evaluation (60%), Impact measured by locations enabled (30%), and an Applicant Interview (10%). Technical soundness (with fiber prioritization where reasonable), financial readiness (including match/co-investment strength), application quality, and community benefits factor into scoring. The program emphasizes transparency via a public comment/challenge process and reserves geographic distribution of awards to ensure statewide participation. Program inquiries may be directed to KOBD during the window; formal contact for the guidelines is Bill Abston, Executive Director, Kansas Office of Broadband Development, Bill.Abston@ks.gov, (785) 296-9941.

Target ≥80% unserved locations, align maps/data to FCC BDC specs, and emphasize fiber or clearly justify alternatives; demonstrate 50% match plus co-investment and document in-kind valuation; hit affordability goal near $60/month for 100 Mbps and be ready to discuss duration; use clear .kmz public map and complete proprietary evidence to ease challenge review; prepare interview team including community investors.