Public and private partnerships continue to deploy new broadband access and adoption projects across all 50 states toward the goal of getting every American home and business connected to high-speed Internet. Here is a look at some of those new broadband stories from around the country:

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The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Health IT has become one of the city’s fastest growing areas in the job market.

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The South Georgia Regional Information Technology Authority (SGRITA) has been awarded $14.4 million for a rural broadband expansion project through funds recently allocated by the Department of Agriculture.

“These awards will assist with a variety of economic development projects in rural Georgia aimed at creating jobs and stimulating new private investment,” said Gov Sonny Perdue. “Broadband access is vital in the 21st century. We firmly believe that with the right resources the communities that will benefit from this grant can compete with any other community in the world.”

Upon completion, the project is expected to reach 53,000 residents, 2,272 businesses and 246 community institutions. Read more about the project here.

The Department of Agriculture has announced an additional $1.2 billion in funding toward 126 broadband projects across the country. The funds are part of the national broadband stimulus aimed at promoting high-speed Internet access and adoption. This most-recent round of funding will target 38 states and Native American tribal areas. Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack said the projects, "will give rural Americans access to the tools they need to attract new businesses, jobs, health care and educational opportunities. Bringing broadband to rural America provides a gateway for businesses and key anchor institutions--such as libraries, schools, public safety and community centers." Read more from the National Journal here.

Here is a look at five additional projects being announced:

Georgia: $13 million has been awarded to several state projects designed to expand broadband access to rural areas, community institutions and local businesses. The expansion projects are expected to reach more than 44,000 residents and 2,000 businesses. Read more here.

Missouri: More than $81 million will go toward rural broadband expansion projects."It's clear how important increasing broadband access is to Missouri's rural communities. Broadband Internet means jobs and economic development, as well as great improvements in healthcare, public safety, and education. This investment from the stimulus funds will help boost businesses and communities in rural Missouri," Sen. Claire McCaskill said. Read more about the projects here.

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The Department of Agriculture has announced an additional $1.2 billion in funding toward 126 broadband projects across the country. The funds are part of the national broadband stimulus aimed at promoting high-speed Internet access and adoption. This most-recent round of funding will target 38 states and Native American tribal areas. Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack said the projects, "will give rural Americans access to the tools they need to attract new businesses, jobs, health care and educational opportunities. Bringing broadband to rural America provides a gateway for businesses and key anchor institutions--such as libraries, schools, public safety and community centers." Read more from the National Journal here.

Here is a look at some of the projects being announced:

California: Softcom Internet Communications Inc. has been awarded $6.8 million to expand broadband access in Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. Softcom will build out fiber access across 378 square miles, reaching 14,000 customers and 4,200 businesses. "Now, through the aid of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we will be able to expand our offerings and benefit the rural communities that we serve through affordable and accessible broadband," said Softcom’s Kevin Triplett. Read more about the project here.

Georgia: $13 million will go toward several rural broadband access projects across the state. Read more here.

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As part of the latest round of national broadband stimulus funding, more than 1,000 health centers across the country are set to benefit from ehanced efforts at electronic medical records and more accessible services. “As broadband has become more widely deployed and affordable, it has enabled things to happen,” Eric Bozich, vice president of product management at Qwest Business Markets said, according to Healthcare IT News. “It has finally reached that point of critical mass where the experience is high quality enough that people are willing to accept and adopt it. Ease of use is allowing practices, hospitals and clinics to manage and deploy telehealth in a way that is reasonable. All those things are coming together to create an environment that is realistic, affordable and practical.” Read more here.

Here is a look at some of the statewide Health IT programs benefitting from the new round of public-private partnerships:

California: Cal eConnect, the new organization overseeing California's $38.8 million health care exchange, has hired Carladenise Edwards as its new CEO. Edwards previously serve as Health IT coordinator for Georgia and as Health IT adviser to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. "I am delighted to have the opportunity to be part of the largest health information exchange effort in the country." Read more about the project here.

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