U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo visited Wichita State University on Tuesday to see the National Institute of Aviation Research and join in a roundtable discussion on high speed internet access across Kansas. She was joined on the tour by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Lieutenant Governor David Toland, and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran.
WSU president Richard Muma and Integra Technologies CEO Brett Robinson were also present for the visit to NIAR. The roundtable discussion also included Kansas Farm Bureau CEO and General Counsel Terry Holdren and AT&T Kansas President Jim Jamison.
Secretary Raimondo said in a press release, “It’s going to take all of us – federal, state, and local governments, the private sector, local organizations, and community colleges and universities – to get every American access to affordable high-speed internet and expand advanced manufacturing in Wichita and across the country. By working together and taking the time to do this right, we’re going to close the digital divide for good and grow the opportunity for everyone in Kansas and America to succeed.”
Senator Moran said he wanted to call attention to the state’s talented workforce, strong manufacturing supply chain, and hands-on learning programs, and he said “The Secretary heard from Kansans how our state can contribute to national advanced manufacturing efforts and how the Department can ensure Kansans have access to high-quality broadband service.”
Governor Kelly established the Office of Broadband Development in 2020 to strengthen access to high-speed internet across Kansas. The Office has since connected over 80,000 businesses and households to reliable internet.
[ photo: Office of Governor Laura Kelly ]
