The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced over $4 million in funding for distance learning and telemedicine investment projects in North Carolina. ECU will receive $500,000 for a distance learning rural Dental Care Project. Beaufort County Community College will receive $81,329 for equipment to provide science, technology, eningeering, and math (STEM) courses to high school students and medical training courses through continuing education programs. Edgecombe County Schools will recieve $153,702 to implement a distance learning program that will provide access to advanced educational opporitunities for students. Eight of the 133 investment grants approved by the USDA will go to projects in Eastern North Carolina.