ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The federal government has given Minnesota a $39 million grant to continue developing the health insurance exchange that’s a major part of the Obama administration’s health care overhaul.

Minnesota Management and Budget announced the grant Thursday. The funds will be used for administrative costs associated with getting the exchange up and running, including IT licenses and maintenance costs, call center operations and consumer outreach.

The exchange is an online marketplace that will offer the uninsured an opportunity to compare and shop for private coverage. The plan is for Minnesota’s exchange to be up and running by October.

Minnesota lawmakers are working on legislation to enact the state’s exchange. On Wednesday a state Senate committee gave initial approval to Minnesota’s plan, but it still has numerous steps in the legislative process.

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