Five more states have launched new broadband efforts designed to increase high-speed Internet access, improve medical health records and improve state facilities that provide broadband access to the public. Here is a look at some of those projects being announced:

Massachusetts: Gov. Deval Patrick announced his state has applied for a $45.4 million federal stimulus grant to expand broadband access in the western part of the state. “Bringing adequate broadband service to unserved and under-served communities in western Massachusetts has been a priority of my administration from the start,” Patrick said. The project would build 1,338 miles of fiber, connecting businesses, homes, hospitals, public libraries and community colleges. Read the full story here.

Missouri: Gov. Jay Nixon’s office will submit 12 broadband proposals for stimulus grants as part of the MoBroadbandNow effort. The project’s goal is to expand broadband access to 95 percent of the state. Read the full story here.

New Hampshire: Network New Hampshire, a coalition of public and private sector groups, are applying for a $66 million grant to expand broadband access across the state.“The middle-mile network is seen as a major opportunity for economic development,” said George Bald, commissioner of the state’s Department of Resources and Economic Development, in a news release about the application. Read the Sentinel Source story here.

Oklahoma: The Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality and Oklahoma Health Care Authority have been awarded a $5.3 million grant to build a center giving assistance to physicians who wish to switch to electronic medical records. "This is a boots-on-the-ground support team to go to doctors’ offices,” said Dan Golder, chief information officer for the foundation. Read the Oklahoman story here.

Wisconsin: A new $28.7 million federal grant will build out and improve broadband access at 380 state libraries. The project is expected to create 150 new jobs. “It’s part of the larger federal stimulus package,” said Walter Burkhalter, director of the Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System. “It has been in the works for quite a while. It was always something you hope for.” Read the Daily Citizen article here.