photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner was in Lawrence Thursday to speak at an event announcing Midco's $30 million "Fiber Forward" initiative. The initiative will expand fiber internet access to Lawrence and surrounding communities in the next few years, and LaTurner said it will be highly beneficial for rural communities.

Elected officials from the local to the national level were on hand Thursday at the Cider Gallery in Lawrence as Midco announced a $30 million initiative to extend fiber internet access to Lawrence and its surrounding communities.

The initiative, which Midco is calling “Fiber Forward,” is set to begin this year in Lawrence, Eudora and Basehor in nearby Leavenworth County, in the form of internet speeds upgraded to 10 GB for increased performance. According to a release from Midco, the upgrade is slated to affect 65,000 homes and businesses by the time it’s complete by the end of 2025.

The announcement comes on the heels of Midco’s fifth year of operating in Lawrence. Midco President Tom McAdaragh said the investment matches — and then some — the roughly $25 million Midco has invested in the Lawrence area in the five years since coming here.

U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Kansas Republican representing Lawrence as part of the 2nd Congressional District, was on hand to speak. LaTurner said the investment is a “big deal,” especially in how it relates to helping every Kansan have quality internet access.

He also said that it can be hard for some to grasp how a quality internet connection can make a difference outside of urban areas.

“When we talk about the need for rural broadband, we don’t just want faster Netflix speeds,” LaTurner said. “While those are good, this is about connecting our farmers to international markets. … There is true need for this, and we need to continue to work on this.”

Jade Piros de Carvalho, the mayor of Hutchinson, also spoke at the event. Piros de Carvalho was just this week announced as the Kansas Department of Commerce’s new director of the Office of Broadband Development.

photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

Jade Piros de Carvalho, who was selected earlier this week as the Kansas Department of Commerce’s new director of the Office of Broadband Development, also spoke at Midco’s event. Piros de Carvalho said quality broadband internet access should be seen as not a luxury but a necessity.

On Thursday, she spoke about how broadband access is essential to modern life.

“As the pandemic laid bare and Rep. LaTurner really spoke to, public broadband access is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” Piros de Carvalho said. “It fuels strong, vibrant communities. It makes enormous impact on economic well-being, overall health, quality of life for individuals and families in our region.”

The event’s final speaker was Lawrence Mayor Courtney Shipley, who commended Midco for its commitment to being active in the community. Shipley said Lawrence was “fortunate” to have Midco here, as it has partnered with groups and agencies like Just Food, the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence and the Lied Center of Kansas.