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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Millions of dollars are invested in technology to benefit homes, businesses, and educational institutions across northern Missouri.

Governor Jay Nixon visited Northeast Regional Medical Center to announce an $85 million investment through grants given to BlueBird Media and the United Electric Cooperative.

BlueBird Media will use its grant to bring broadband internet to 660,000 homes and businesses.

Governor Nixon said this will help more than just hospitals and colleges.

“How do you think this will trickle down to the people in the smaller communities outside of Kirksville?”

“Well first of all jobs.  I mean I think that when you can move information then you can sell your products anywhere,” said Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.

The BlueBird project is expected to create 706 jobs during the two-year construction period with an additional 113 jobs through the United Electric Cooperative project.

Both projects are part of a partnership called MoBroadbandNow.

Senator Wes Shoemyer said this is more than just fast-speed internet.  He compares it to the rural electric co-op turning their lights on across Missouri 75 years ago.

“It made such a difference that people could actually live in these rural areas, have the same opportunities, have the same ways to do their business, to live in comfort and to manage their lives.  This is one of those revolutionary times,” said State Senator Wes Shoemyer.

Shoemyer says this will give kids, hospitals and schools more opportunities in the future.  213 public schools, 10 community colleges, 30 healthcare facilities and other entities are included in the BlueBird proposal.

Northeast Regional will benefit from the broadband technology through tele-medicine which allows doctors to communicate with other healthcare professionals across the entire world.

"Do you think that this will help with sending people to different hospitals, do you think that they'll be able to come here and get more care rather than having to go to a bigger institution?"

“Yea. I think that that's one of the biggest benefits for folks in this community is that it reduces their travel time for seeking health care,” said Northeast Regional Medical Center CEO Eric Barber.

The entire project should be complete in two to three years with 706 jobs created during the construction process.