To enhance broadband access across Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly announced $10.4 million in grants through the Advancing Digital Opportunities to Connect Kansans (ADOPT) program Monday, including $48,989 for the Emporia Public Library (EPL) to install five solar-powered Wi-Fi benches in key locations, expanding free public Wi-Fi.

“We're really looking to expand outside the physical library,” said Emporia Public Library Executive Director Pauline Stacchini, “we get patrons who come in and use our public computers because they don't have computers at home but we also see a lot of people who don't have internet at home. With ADOPT, we were really looking to reach really underserved groups.”

Several of the locations of the benches have already been decided as of the funding announcement. Spots ou

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