Applications are being accepted for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to help those in rural areas get access to high-speed internet service.

Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary, announced on Wednesday that an additional $2 billion in funds for rural internet access also will become available in the near future through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Vilsack said in a news release that expanding broadband availability in rural areas will help create jobs, help farmers use precision agricultural technologies, expand access to health care and educational services and create economic opportunities for millions of rural Americans.