(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is handing out millions of dollars in grants to help expand broadband access around the state. Fifty-three-million in grants from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development were announced yesterday. Projects in two-dozen Minnesota counties will benefit from the funding, which helps providers pay for the cost of expanding broadband infrastructure. Governor Walz said the money will help connect more Minnesotans to high-speed Internet services needed for jobs, education, healthcare and other priorities.