Sumner County Earns Kansas Broadband Ready Community Certification

Attending the Broadband Ready Community announcement were: Berniece Millsap (Wheat State Technologies), Valerie Earl (Wellington Area Chamber/CVB), Laura Lombardi (Wellington Daily News), Brent Swingle (Haviland Broadband), David Nance (KanOkla), Morgan Barnes (KDBD), Stacy Davis (Sumner County Economic Development), Donna Van Allen (Twin Valley), Cathy Sheets (Berkshire Hathaway / PenFed Realty), Jill Kuehny (KanOkla), Marcy Aycock (Workforce Alliance/REAP), and Erma Ratliff (KanOkla).

Sumner County has been recognized as a Kansas Broadband Ready Community by the Kansas Office of Broadband Development. The announcement was made by Stacy Davis, Executive Director of Sumner County Economic Development.

“This designation recognizes the area’s commitment to supporting broadband providers by reducing barriers, streamlining local processes, and preparing the county for future investment opportunities,” Davis said. “It helps ensure that Sumner County remains at the forefront of digital connectivity.”

The Broadband Ready Communities program, launched by Governor Laura Kelly in 2024, certifies communities working to expand high-speed internet and makes them more competitive for funding opportunities.

“We now join five other counties in Kansas to show we prioritize broadband connectivity to modernize how we do life and work,” said Jill Kuehny, CEO of KanOkla. “Sumner County’s future is bright thanks to the forward-thinking collaboration this Kansas Broadband Ready Communities designation signals.”

Local leaders, broadband providers, and community partners gathered at the Sumner County Economic Development office to celebrate the milestone.

Davis added, “The Broadband Ready program helps create an environment where business development and innovation can thrive. We’re positioning Sumner County as a competitive place to do business and ensuring our communities are ready for future growth.”

Kuehny agreed: “It tells businesses, entrepreneurs, and families that rural Kansas is ready to compete and thrive in a digital economy. We’re not just celebrating today – we’re laying the groundwork for growth, innovation, and opportunity for years to come.”