A big thank you to Veneeth Iyengar and Thomas Tyler Jr. from ConnectLA for driving up from Baton Rouge this morning to present an update on the Broadband Challenge Process for BEAD (infrastructure dollars).
As we get ready for the nearly $1.36 Billion in federal funds to once and for all eliminate the digital divide, the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity (ConnectLA) is asking non-profits, internet service providers, and parish/municipal governments to take the most recent federal service availability maps and challenge them. This will be the last step before implementing the next significant round of GUMBO funding using the infrastructure dollars. Having accurate maps will ensure we direct the dollars where it is needed most.
ConnectLA will launch the challenge process for BEAD (Infrastructure dollars) at the end of September. Per the rules for the program, eligible challengers to the federal service availability maps are non-profits, internet service providers, and parish/municipal governments.
Representatives from all over Northeast Louisiana joined the ConnectLA duo, North Delta staff, and Regional Director of Rural Development Charles “Bubba” Chaney at Louisiana Delta Community College.
Learn more about ConnectLA and the Louisiana broadband initiative here.