The Federal Communications Commission is awarding $1 million to four local governments in Louisiana. Calcasieu and St. Landry parishes, as well as the cities of New Orleans and Natchitoches, are poised to receive outreach grants from the FCC to host events, send informational mailers, organize digital campaigns, phone bank and go door-to-door to increase awareness of the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program.

The ACP is a federal benefit program administered by the FCC that provides discounts toward internet service for eligible households to ensure they can afford the broadband they need for work, school, etc. The ACP is the largest broadband affordability effort in U.S. history and supports internet connections in more than 16 million households throughout the country.

“We are so excited to see areas of Louisiana getting the funding they deserve to promote the ACP to their communities,” Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director of ConnectLA, said. “Anything that gets us one step closer to eliminating the digital divide is a good thing, so we hope Louisianians take advantage of this amazing program.”

These four local governments are among 200 applicants nationally selected for this grant, with representatives from 50 states and territories receiving funding.

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