$13.9M grants to expand broadband in rural Neb.

LINCOLN, Neb.

Two federal grants worth $13.9 million will help improve access to high-speed Internet service in Nebraska.

Vice President Joe Biden announced the Nebraska projects along with 92 other stimulus grants Wednesday.

One grant of $11.5 million will go to NebraskaLink to help pay for fiber optic lines connecting up to 100 community institutions statewide to the Internet. NebraskaLink, which is a cooperative effort of seven phone companies, will contribute nearly $5 million in matching funds.

A $2.4 million grant will go to the state to help pay for better Internet access at 45 places statewide where the public can use the Internet. The state will contribute nearly $1.3 million to the project.