WBRZ - Baton Rouge

The federal government has awarded grants and loans totaling $33.5 million to two Louisiana broadband companies to expand high-speed Internet into rural areas.

The money comes from the federal economic stimulus program.

Allen's TV Cable, Inc., which serves Morgan City and several other areas, received a $3.6 million loan and a $3.5 million grant to extend fiber circuits into rural areas of three parishes.

LBC LHC received a $16.7 million loan and a $16.7 million grant to expand existing broadband service into rural areas around Moss Bluff, Oakdale and Vinton.

The projects are among 11 high-speed Internet projects approved nationwide, with $277 million in funding.