First State to award BEAD Grants
Louisiana, the first state to award funding for the $42.5 billion Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, is still early in the process of making $1.3 billion in infrastructure grants, with 95% of its grants going to fiber internet. On January 6th, PhireLink, a local Louisiana ISP announced that it is among the first to receive a BEAD grant.
PhireLink, headquartered in Farmerville, Louisiana, also operates in Colorado and Kansas, and has expansion plans to cover most Southern states. Its BEAD award will extend high-speed internet access to underserved areas in Slidell and St. Tammany Parish in Louisiana. The announcement comes as part of Louisiana’s ongoing push to close the connectivity gap in some of its most overlooked communities.
Focusing on Underserved Areas
While PhireLink didn’t disclose a specific dollar amount in its announcement, data from Louisiana’s ConnectLA broadband offers some insight. Slidell, a key focus area with a population of 28,000, has 142 BEAD-serviceable locations, with approximately $414,000 earmarked for local broadband projects. The broader St. Tammany Parish, population 576,000, has 106,884 BEAD-eligible locations, positioning it as a critical area for infrastructure investment.
PhireLink CEO Glen Post said in a company statement “we are committed to delivering reliable broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities.” The initiative will bring symmetrical 1-gigabit speeds to targeted areas, delivering drastically improved internet service. “This funding allows us to expand our efforts in Louisiana, bringing next-generation broadband to more families and businesses,” Post added.
With this in mind, the BEAD program aims to close the U.S. digital divide. It is backed by $42.5 billion from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In Louisiana, areas like Slidell, near New Orleans, are a top priority. These regions lack reliable internet, a crucial tool for education, healthcare, and economic growth.
With this funding, PhireLink plans to show that local providers can connect communities neglected by larger ISPs.
Louisiana’s BEAD Grants Signal a New Era for Connectivity
Louisiana’s BEAD grants are a major step toward closing the state’s digital divide. They are part of a national push to improve internet access and affordability. The goal is to create equal digital opportunities across the U.S.
In 2024, ConnectLA led the grant process. The agency worked with local governments and providers to ensure transparency. Regional ISPs awarded the funds will bring high-speed fiber and wireless broadband to neglected areas.
The grants focus on regions with the greatest need, especially in northern and central Louisiana. Many of these areas have limited or unreliable internet. The funding will support gigabit-speed networks, offering fast and affordable connections to homes and businesses.
This effort aims to provide reliable internet where it’s long overdue. It is part of Louisiana’s plan to achieve statewide broadband coverage by 2029.
Governor John Bel Edwards has been among the most proactive US state leaders in expediting the BEAD program, saying in 2023 “will start executing shovel-ready projects in 2024,” and was the first state to award grants. By reducing barriers to digital inclusion, Louisiana is also addressing disparities in access to remote learning, telehealth, and online job opportunities, which became glaringly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BEAD Progress Going in to 2025
While the implementation of full broadband coverage will take many years, Louisiana’s BEAD grant awards mark a turning point for the state’s connectivity landscape. With projects already in motion, residents of underserved areas can look forward to the tangible benefits of high-speed internet, and a more connected future.
