Feds fund internet for 88K in La.

WASHINGTON - Louisiana was among the first four states to be approved to receive Coronavirus Capital Projects Funds (CPF), under the American Rescue Plan, which will connect over 200,000 businesses and home. The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that first group June 7. The CPF provides $10B to states, territories, freely associated states, and Tribal governments to fund critical capital projects enabling enable work, education and health monitoring under a public health emergency. A key priority of the program funding was making reliable, affordable broadband infrastructure and other digital connectivity projects. In addition to the $10B, many governments are using a portion of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to meet the administration’s goal of connecting everyone to high-speed internet. The first states' recipients under the CPF plan to connect over 200,000 homes and businesses. Other states must submit plans to Treasury no later than Sept. 24.  The following description highlights Louisiana's plan approved by Treasury. Louisiana was approved for $176.7M (all of its CPF funding) to connect nearly 88,500 homes and businesses to the internet at speeds of 25/3 Mbps. Louisiana estimates the projects receiving CPF funding will close the digital divide for about 25% of all locations in-state lacking high-speed internet access. The other three states were New Hampshire, Virginia, and West Virginia. (Source: US Treasury 06/07/22) Treasury Announces First Capital Projects Fund Awards to Increase Access to Affordable, High-Speed Internet | U.S. Department of the Treasury