Published 1:52 pm Monday, August 19, 2024 By American Press Staff Special to the American Press Gov. Jeff Landry today announced the launch of the GUMBO 2.0 program.
This program allows for the distribution of $1.355 billion in funding to support broadband access throughout the state. This initiative will expand broadband access to 140,000 locations — including 100,000 homes (60,000 of which are in rural parishes), 35,000 businesses, and 4,000 community anchor institutions such as schools, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies.
GUMBO 2.0 will create 8 to 10 thousand new jobs, GDP is expected to increase by $1.3 billion, and $2 to 3 billion in new revenue will be generated for Louisiana companies.
This funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will be administered by the country’s top ranked broadband office (According to a 2024 American Enterprise Institute ranking of broadband offices), the Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity. “Today, we are one step closer to eliminating the digital divide in our state. GUMBO 2.
0 will play a direct role in expanding access to health care, growing our state’s small businesses, providing opportunities in the education field, and integrating technology into our agricultural sector. When we win in broadband, our citizens win, our communities win, and our economy wins. I am eager to see this program in action, and I look forward to the economic impacts it will have on our state for generat.