Nex-Tech Blog

At the end of July 2024, the fiber broadband industry will gather in the city of Nashville, Tennessee for Fiber Connect 2024. With the industry getting excited about what could be the biggest fiber broadband expansion period in the industry thanks to BEAD funding, I have been reflecting on one of Nex-Tech’s most impactful fiber deployment projects – the deployment of fiber to McCarty Family Farms, in Rexford, Kansas.

Recently, I was in Manhattan KS to attend a regional Advocacy Comment Tour held by the SBA Office of Advocacy in Manhattan, KS. The Office of Advocacy is a designated office within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that advocates for the interests of small businesses, such as Nex-Tech, before the federal government. The tour was meant to gather comments and concerns from small businesses and stakeholders regarding any proposed regulations and other potential federal actions that may impact small businesses.

The Nex-Tech broadband network has long been a game-changer for farms and ranches across Northwest and Central Kansas. Community Engagement Specialist, Friday Otuya, recently visited the LaRosh Farms in Osborne County, KS. He explains how our broadband enables precision agriculture, supports the food production ecosystem beyond Kansas, and forms the bedrock on which many farms and families depend. Indeed, Nex-Tech drives and sustains food security in the nation and beyond.

If your answer is no, then you need to join me on one of my frequent tours. Trust me, it’s a pleasant ride across the wide-open plains and prairies, dotted with farms, ranches, tight-knit communities, and cool people who would wave at you to express their goodwill.

The Kansas Office for Broadband Development (KOBD) and various community stakeholders recently visited Nex-Tech and toured our broadband development project in Saline County, KS. Community Engagement Specialist, Friday Otuya, reflects on community and stakeholder involvement in effective broadband development.

Did you know Nex-Tech has two programs that help the local economy across our service footprint?
Nex-Tech gives out loans and grants through:
– The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG) and
– The Nex-Tech Revolving Loan Fund (RLF).

For many years Nex-Tech has invested in youth development across northwest and central Kansas. We pioneered the founding of Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) organization). We continue to sow the seeds of community involvement in the minds of youths.

Nex-Tech continues to demonstrate its support for local organizations and institutions, especially in Lenora, KS, where it is headquartered. On May 25th, Friday Otuya of Nex-Tech met with the Lenora High School Class of 1964, who was having their 60th anniversary reunion.

As I travel across communities spreading the Nex-Tech story, people always ask me how I learned so much about the United States. While the question is understandable considering that I have been in the U.S. for only a couple of years, the answer is pretty simple. I gained insights into the workings of American society by intentionally learning from books, and other information sources on the internet, which was facilitated by a local library.

Many of us reading already know about all the good things Nex-Tech does. From Home/Business Broadband Services to TV Now, Managed IT and Cloud to Business Communications Infrastructure, Creative Solutions to Physical Security Solutions, and Cybersecurity to our NOC and Carrier Services; not forgetting our youth services, donations, sponsorships, and giveaways to members of our community.