Governor Jay Nixon says the effort to expand broadband across Missouri took a big step forward today.

He says nearly $2 million dollars in Federal Recovery Act grant money is heading to the Show-Me state.

It'll be used to map out broadband availability, among other planning measures.

Nixon says it's the first step in expanding broadband internet service across the state.

Missouri was one of six states to get this kind of grant money, which comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce.