A Look at Louisiana's Draft Digital Equity Plan

As states act to capitalize on federal broadband funding, Louisiana has been leading the way. It was the first state to receive federal approval for broadband funding from the American Rescue Plan Act's Capital Projects Fund and the first to be awarded planning grants from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Louisiana continues to lead the way on digital equity planning; last month, the Louisiana Office of Broadband Development & Connectivity (known as Connect Louisiana or ConnectLA) released a draft digital equity plan for the state and is seeking public reaction to it. Here we look at the current state of digital equity in the state as well as Louisiana's vision for digital equity.