LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — About $800,000 from the Federal Communications Commission will go toward the expansion of broadband access for rural communities in Southwest Louisiana.

The funding stems from the Connect America Fund, which is awarding round two of phase 1.

In total, 41 states accepted more than $255 million in funding.

CenturyLink accepted more than $1.2 million in funds to serve more than 2,220 locations in 14 parishes.

John Dreher, CenturyLink's vice president and general manager for Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, tells the American Press (http://bit.ly/1eOXZNb ) this will bring high-speed Internet service to places that would not be economically feasible without public-private programs like the FCC's Connect America Fund.

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