Broadband expansion in Louisiana has companies looking to recruit, train local workers

Millions of dollars are going toward expanding high-speed internet access in Louisiana, driving demand for a workforce without a clear path to entry. But a local solution is in the works. Bridging the digital divide has become a priority for Louisiana since the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the crucial role that high-speed internet plays in the state’s education and economic systems. Using federal funds, the state launched a $180 million program in 2021 to provide underserved areas with high-speed internet. In March 2022, Acadiana (LA) welcomed Vice President Kamala Harris to Ville Platte to announce a $30 million federal grant to build fiber internet across 11 rural towns in the area. Although major federal investments are aiming to bridge that gap, the funds can only go so far without an increase in the number of workers capable of building and installing high-speed internet infrastructure. The deluge of funding, along with private expansion efforts, is driving a major spike in demand for those services and for workers.