 designed to help essential Internet access to rural areas of the state that began back in 2020. So far, the program has invested more than $41.5 million in total, with more to come throughout the years. In a statement from David Tolan, the lieutenant governor and secretary of commerce, he said focusing on economically distressing areas, these awards are designed to meet the needs of all Kansans to have access to high Internet speed. MidAmerican Network News.