WTC Completes Community-Wide Public Wi-Fi Project in Manhattan

$830,000 investment brings free public internet access to 124 locations across Manhattan and Riley County

MANHATTAN, Kan. — September 25, 2026 — WTC Fiber has completed a major community-wide public Wi-Fi initiative that expands free, reliable internet access at parks, recreation facilities, nonprofit organizations, public service agencies and other gathering places throughout Manhattan and Riley County.

The project includes 124 Wi-Fi access points and represents an investment of more than $830,000 in local connectivity and digital access. The network is designed to make dependable internet service more readily available to residents and visitors, particularly in locations where people gather, learn, work and access community services.

Funding for the project was awarded through the Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) program, administered by the Kansas Office of Broadband Development. Matching support was provided by WTC Fiber, the City of Manhattan, Riley County and benefactors of the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.

“This project is about making connectivity available where people live, learn, work and gather,” said Jeff Wick, CEO of WTC Fiber. “We are proud to have worked alongside so many community partners to create a network that will provide immediate benefits while making a meaningful and lasting impact throughout our community.”

For residents who may not have dependable internet access at home, the public Wi-Fi network provides an important connection to employment opportunities, education, healthcare resources, government services and communication with family, employers and community support organizations. It also provides convenient connectivity for residents and visitors using Manhattan’s parks, recreational facilities and other public spaces.

WTC Fiber managed the installation and provisioning of the network equipment and supporting infrastructure. As part of its commitment to the project, WTC Fiber will provide internet service to participating locations at no cost for five years and will maintain the fiber, cabling and network equipment necessary to keep the service operating reliably.

“This project demonstrates what can be accomplished when state, local, nonprofit and private-sector partners come together around a shared community need,” Wick said. “The infrastructure is now in place, but the real measure of success will be the opportunities these connections create for the people who use them.”

The project builds on WTC Fiber’s ongoing investment of over $75 Million in fiber infrastructure in Manhattan and reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening the communities it serves through reliable connectivity, local partnerships and long-term investment in technology infrastructure.