Tennessee is sending out almost $20 million in grants to internet service providers in smaller, more rural communities, including some in East Tennessee, to boost broadband access.
The goal is to improve or bring online service to 31,000 "unserved" residents in close to 13,000 households, according to an announcement Friday.
The grants will go to providers to help them boost what they can offer.
The grants should help people living in 21 of the state's 95 counties, Gov. Bill Lee said in a news release.
While urban areas have multiple options to get on the internet, rural areas often aren't so fortunate.
Recent data shows perhaps one in four Tennesseans lacks broadband.
Among the providers receiving funding:
*PVECFiber and Scott County Telephone Cooperative: $1,908,811.24 serving part of Union County
*HolstonConnect, LLC: $361,211 serving the Mooresburg community in Hamblen and Hawkins Counties
*Ben Lomand Connect: $2,000,000 serving parts of Cumberland County