Proposed Project Will Support Closing the Broadband Availability Gap and Support the Development of a…

Description

The Proposed Project Will Support Closing the Broadband Availability Gap and Support the Development of a Five-Year Action Plan. The Proposed Project Includes the Following Planning and Pre-Deployment Activities and Expected Outcomes: The Applicant Will Conduct Research and Data Collection That Will Support the Ongoing Design and Development of the Louisiana Statewide Broadband Map; Facilitate Engagement of Stakeholders in the Development of the 5-YEAR Action Plan Through Publications and Other Outreach; Conduct Trainings for Broadband Program Staff and Contractors to Enable Them to Execute the Bead Program; Support the Increase in Staff and Contracts of the Broadband Office in Order to Execute the Bead Program; Conduct Asset Mapping, Which Will Inform the 5-YEAR Action Plan; Conduct Surveys of Unserved, Underserved, and Underrepresented Communities to Better Understand Barriers to Adoption; and Support Costs Associated with Meeting the Local Coordination Requirements Including Capacity Building at the Local and Regional Levels or Contracted Support to Support the Development of the 5-YEAR Action Plan. The Intended Beneficiaries Are the State of Louisiana and Principally Unserved and Underserved Communities in the State. The Recipient Does Not Intend to Subaward Funds.