OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) — Four Nebraska groups will use nearly $1 million in grants from the USDA to improve their video conferencing systems for education and medical treatment in rural areas.

The Agriculture Department announced the grants this week.

An educational service unit based in Ogallala will receive $412,925 to upgrade school video conference equipment in the Panhandle.

Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney will receive $253,345 to help expand telemedicine services in central Nebraska and Kansas.

An educational service unit in Ainsworth will get $180,000 to buy video conferencing gear for 21 schools in the area.

And Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte will receive $123,042 to help link its campuses across 18 counties in western Nebraska.