LINCOLN ??Today, Governor Pete?Ricketts?announced that the State has been awarded two federal grants?totaling nearly $5.6 million?from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NITA) to develop strategic plans to expand high-speed broadband service.? Earlier this year, Gov.?Ricketts?had created the Connect Nebraska working group, a team of leaders tasked with optimizing state and federal funds to expand broadband in Nebraska.? The group successfully submitted the grant applications on behalf of the State.