Grants Awarded to Rainbow

In 2020, Rainbow Communications was awarded a $2.8 million Connectivity Emergency Response Grant (CERG) to expand its fiber network in Effingham and Lancaster to reach underserved rural broadband areas during a time when broadband connectivity is essential. Rainbow was very grateful for the opportunity to bring its neighboring towns a better broadband experience. Click here to read more about the grant. 

Advocacy

Advocating for broadband in rural areas is always top-of-mind for Rainbow Communications. Our GM/CEO, Jason Smith, recently had the opportunity to visit with Senator Jerry Moran and his Legislative Assistant, Garrison Homberg on a few different occasions. They were able to discuss the outcome of the Rural Digital Opportunites Fund (RDOF) auction. Smith was able to share concerns that rural consumers who do not have service today would be left behind due to the auction results. 

Business Development

Our staff members are deeply committed to giving back. We volunteer our time to help create, retain, and expand businesses right here in Northeast Kansas.

Our staff can be found serving on various boards, including Northeast Kansas Enterprise Facilitation; Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development; Sabetha, Hiawatha, and Seneca Chambers of Commerce.

We also can connect businesses to grant opportunities available through telecommunication-related organizations such as the Foundation for Rural Services which seeks to support local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America. Also available is the Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program (REDLG) Program through the USDA. The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility is responsible for repayment to USDA. Learn more here. 

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