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** LAST NAMES OF CHILDREN WITHHELD AS PER SCHOOL'S REQUEST ** Max, 4, of Bethesda, Md., left, and Sarah, 4, of Washington work on a computer at the Arnold & Porter Children's Center in Washington D.C., Friday, June 3, 2005. Some 23 percent of children in nursery school, kids age 3, 4 or 5, have gone online, according to the Education Department. By kindergarten, 32 percent have used the Internet, typically under adult supervision. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Projects to improve broadband internet planned in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $9 million on high-speed broadband internet projects in 10 rural Tennessee counties.

USDA officials said in a statement Thursday that the broadband projects will create or improve high-speed internet connectivity in more than 3,700 households and more than 70 businesses and farms.

Projects are planned in Cumberland, Houston, Henry, Maury, Montgomery, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Williamson and Wilson counties.

Funds come from the federal ReConnect Pilot Program, which provides loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural parts of the country. In 2018, Congress provided $600 million for the program.

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