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 Lincoln Journal Star has published a new editorial on FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’ s announced intent to reclassify the Internet as a public utility. The plan has come under criticism from business and political leaders across the political spectrum who argue the FCC should abandon its effort and allow the current marketplace dynamic to thrive. The paper writes:

[W]hatever the merits or drawbacks of enforcing Net neutrality, there should be no disagreement that the FCC's controversial plan is the wrong way to enforce the concept.

FCC board member Meredith Attwell Baker, a Republican appointed to the board by President Barack Obama, said at a broadband summit earlier this month, "Even if a court were to ultimately accept reclassification, which I seriously doubt, the chairman's approach would require a lengthy period of severe uncertainty."

This is an issue that should be decided by elected members of Congress, not members of an appointed board. The FCC is overreaching. The FCC should give up its misguided reclassification plan.

Read the full editorial here.

Here is a look at four more states launching broadband deployment and Health IT projects:

In Michigan: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the state a federal grant of $14.9 million dollars toward building a statewide health information technology network:

The goal is to give residents and health care providers greater access to patient records and health care information and enable providers across the state to share electronic records.

In New Jersey: The Commerce Department also awarded the Garden State $2 million toward their broadband mapping projects, which extend over five years.

In Pennsylvania: The state will receive $99.6 million in federal funding toward a 1,700 mile, statewide broadband network that will bring broadband access to 22 underserved counties. The funding comes after a joint request from Pennsylvania universities, health care organizations and economic development groups. In addition, $29 million in private funds will go toward building the Pennsylvania Research and Education Network (PennREN).

In Utah: The Commerce Department awarded the state a $13.4 million grant designed to “boost economic growth, create jobs and improve education,” in the state through a “Broadband Technologies Program.” Primarily, the project will allow Utah to expand broadband access through public schools, community institutions, libraries and Head Start centers.