Congressman Carter Praises Louisiana’s “Internet for All” Initial Proposal
Louisiana Becomes the First State Authorized to Request Access to BEAD Funds
BATON ROUGE, LA – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) joined Governor John Bel Edwards, Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed, Ph.D., Baton Rouge Community College Chancellor Dr. Willie E. Smith, Louisiana Community & Technical College System Vice President of Education Susie Schowen, students, and local partners to celebrate Louisiana’s approved Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This was made possible because of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Congressman Carter helped craft and voted for.
Louisiana is the first state to reach this important milestone, which will enable the state to move from the planning phase to the implementation phase for the BEAD program, a major step towards closing the digital divide in Louisiana. The state may now request access to $1.4 billion that Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) allocated in June.
“This is a is a monumental achievement that emphasizes Louisiana’s commitment to equity in internet usage. Being the first state authorized to request access to BEAD funds, we are leading the way in closing the digital divide, ensuring that every citizen has affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband access,” said Rep. Carter. “By prioritizing the internet as an essential tool for communication, Louisiana sets an example for other states in utilizing BEAD funds to bridge technological disparities, creating a more inclusive and connected society.”
“I want to thank the Biden Harris administration for ushering in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that made this possible along with Senator Bill Cassidy and Congressman Troy Carter,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “Today's announcement is a testament to the sense of urgency that my administration has worked to ensure that high speed internet is not only accessible but reliable for every single Louisianan. Our plan stresses resilience, connectivity, and affordability, and we will implement it as submitted with shovel ready projects set to begin next year. Not only that, but our partnership with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System will make certain we develop a very strong, skilled and credentialed workforce for the infrastructure jobs that are to come.”
Background
The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is the federal government’s largest and most ambitious investment in high-speed, affordable broadband in history. States and territories will use the funding to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used on high-speed Internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses.
Louisiana expects to conclude its BEAD challenge process in December. With its Initial Proposal approved, the state may request to commence the selection of subgrantees. One year from Initial Proposal approval, Louisiana must submit a Final Proposal that details, among other things, the outcome of the subgrantee selection process and how the state will ensure service to all unserved and underserved locations.
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