LINCOLN — Thousands of homes and buildings in rural Nebraska will soon get access to broadband internet thanks to new grants.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission announced nearly $31 million in Capital Projects Funds designed to bring broadband to unserved and underserved areas of the state. This is the second round of grants for the third congressional district this year.

“By initiating a second round we were able to utilize funds designated for the 3rd congressional District that were not awarded during the previous round of CPF grants,” Commission Chair Dan Watermeier said in a statement.

A news release says the PSC received 60 applications for funding during the second round. The commission accepted 28 applications and funded them for nearly $31 million. The projects will bring broadband to approximately 1,640 unserved and 1,570 underserved locations.