Louisiana State Treasurer Confirms the State is Ready to Receive $176M in Federal Broadband Funds
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Louisiana State Treasurer Confirms the State is Ready to Receive $176M in Federal Broadband Funds
Louisiana – In a press release issued on June 10, 2022, Louisiana State Treasurer John Schroder stated that the Louisiana State Treasury is ready to receive federal funds totaling $176.7 million from the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, which is expected to arrive soon. Louisiana was chosen as one of the first four states to receive funding after demonstrating that the funds will be used to address critical needs.
“The pandemic shined a spotlight on the lack of internet for citizens across the state,” said State Treasurer John Schroder. “Internet is no longer a luxury. It’s the same as electricity and running water. Without it, there’s no quick access in terms of safety, health, and education for citizens and there’s definitely no economic development.”
Louisiana Treasurer Schroder recently hosted a discussion about the state’s connectivity upgrades progress since the COVID19 pandemic began, as well as plans to implement the next round of federal funding. Louisiana is expected to provide internet access to nearly 88,500 homes and businesses through the Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) program. According to the United States Department of Treasury, the state’s share of this $10 billion fund will help to close a quarter of the gap in locations across the state that currently lack high speed internet access.
“I don’t agree with all the relief dollars the federal government has flung at the pandemic or how much of it has been spent, but there is no doubt that every penny coming to Louisiana for broadband is desperately needed,” said Treasurer Schroder. Louisiana joins New Hampshire ($50 million), Virginia ($219.8 million), and West Virginia ($136.3 million) in receiving the first round of funding from the federal relief package signed into law in March 2021. Other states have until September to submit plans that show their ability to meet critical needs.
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