Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Thursday $51 million in funding to continue expanding access to broadband in the state. The investment comes at a time when COVID-19 has made reliable internet even more critical.

This is the second round of funding in the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program that will connect Hoosiers to affordable and dependable internet.

The pandemic has made virtual meetings more common and some children are having to learn from home. Holcomb said COVID-19 has made broadband more essential for those in rural areas.

“This latest round of grants will give more Hoosiers access to more affordable, quality internet regardless of where they live, work or go to school,” Holcomb said in a press release.

The program uses the dollars to help incentivize broadband service providers to invest in rural areas where there is slow or even no internet currently available.

The projects span across 32 counties and are expected to impact more than 10,000 households and commercial locations.

Contact reporter Samantha at shorton@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @SamHorton5.