The federal government has rejected Kenosha County's $5 million application for money to expand local broadband Internet service.

The Jan. 19 rejection letter didn't explain why.

The county plans to apply for the same amount by mid-March for newly available funding to help bring service to the 30 percent to 40 percent of Kenosha County that doesn't have it.

The county plans to borrow $1.3 million, whether or not it gets the funding, to enhance broadband service for law enforcement. Officials said broadband service helps businesses, government and the public.