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BUHLER, Kan. — Residents and businesses in Burns, Elbing and Whitewater are about to get a major boost in connectivity.
After nearly two years of steadfast advocacy, construction is set to begin on the BAG 4.0 Butler Marion Project, funded by a $900,000 grant from the Kansas Office of Broadband Development. The project will bring high-speed fiber internet to 586 previously unserved homes and businesses.
The grant was originally awarded in July 2024. IdeaTek remained ready throughout the process to begin construction as soon as final approval was granted. Construction of the grant project will begin this month.
A groundbreaking ceremony with state and city officials celebrating the project took place May 26 in Whitewater.
“At IdeaTek, our mission of Internet Freedom for All is a long-term commitment that often requires significant persistence. While the BAG 4.0 project faced a two-year delay and various administrative hurdles, our focus on the residents of Burns, Elbing and Whitewater remained constant. We stayed prepared to move forward the moment we received the final approval because we understand how vital this infrastructure is for these communities. This significant investment reflects a deep partnership that we are proud to finally bring to fruition,” said Daniel Friesen, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer.
The project is further strengthened by $37,500 in local matching funds, reflecting strong support from the three communities involved.
“The City of Burns is thrilled that IdeaTek will be installing fiber-optic internet in our community,” said Travis Bailey, Burns City Council Member. “Quality high-speed internet is vital to a community’s success, from education to healthcare to business access. We appreciate IdeaTek and the Kansas Office of Broadband Development for ensuring rural communities like ours stay connected and have a fighting chance to grow.”
Soon, residents will enjoy:
- 100% Fiber Network – Designed for speed, reliability and future growth.
- Symmetrical Uploads & Downloads – Speeds up to 2.5 gigs.
- Unlimited Data – No usage limits.
- Reliable Connection – A network you can count on for streaming, work, school and play.
- No Contracts – Stay because you want to.
- Local Customer Service – Support from real Kansans.
To see if your home is in IdeaTek’s build area and to sign up for service, visit hookmeup.ideatek.com.
Community Investment
IdeaTek is driven by its mission of Internet Freedom, working to bring fiber internet to all Kansans—no matter where they live or their circumstances. As the company continues to expand its regional and statewide presence in 2026, fiber projects are currently underway in Wichita, Topeka and Emporia, along with other Kansas communities.
Through its recent acquisition of Velocity Internet, IdeaTek can also extend high-speed wireless service to rural areas of Marion, Harvey and Butler counties not yet reached by fiber, complementing the Burns, Elbing and Whitewater fiber build.
IdeaTek was founded in 1999 by Friesen and four friends while attending Buhler High School. Today, the company employs more than 240 Kansans and continues to grow. IdeaTek has deployed over 8,500 miles of fiber and built 150 fixed wireless towers, serving customers in over 130 Kansas communities. Learn more at ideatek.com.
About IdeaTek Telcom
IdeaTek Telcom is a Buhler, Kansas-based broadband service provider with the mission of “fighting for Internet Freedom.” IdeaTek uses a unique and innovative approach to deploy scalable, long-term fiber-optic infrastructure, working to bridge the digital divide in Kansas communities. IdeaTek is a champion for broadband equity and is committed to enriching the communities they serve. The company has been named to Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing companies 13 times.