BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – Louisiana will receive more than $12 million to help residents connect to high-speed internet.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced Friday that the $12,727,887.98 funding is part of President Joe Biden’s “Internet for All” plan.
NTIA says Louisiana’s Digital Opportunity Initiative aims to “identify pain points for diverse populations when it comes to accessing broadband and develop tactical solutions to improve their professional and personal lives.”
The plan is to use these funds to close the digital divide by 2028 or earlier.
“President Biden is committed to ensuring that everyone in Louisiana and across the country has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet service,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “Department of Commerce Builds High-Speed Internet Infrastructure jobs are just part of the equation. Louisiana families need the tools and skills they need to take full advantage of their internet connectivity, and that’s the $12.7 million opportunity we’re announcing today. President Biden’s Digital Equity Plan will provide every Individuals realize the promise of the Internet, no matter where they live or what their background is.”
The state’s funding is calculated based on a formula in the bipartisan infrastructure law. The formula for the law is found in notices of funding opportunities, NTIA said.