Caldwell Parish, Louisiana hosted a ceremonial start to a new broadband build as the state pushes BEAD-funded projects into the construction phase, marking progress for rural connectivity.
Officials said the Caldwell project, part of ConnectLA’s Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) initiative, has already connected more than 500 homes and businesses to high-speed internet.
The project is led by the Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity, known as ConnectLA, and carried out locally by SkyRider Communications; officials describe it as one of the earliest BEAD-funded deployments moving toward completion.
Governor Jeff Landry called the milestone a national leadership moment, noting that coordinated efforts between the state, the federal government, and Louisiana’s congressional delegation have accelerated the rollout to rural communities.
ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar described the approach as deliberate and collaborative, while lawmakers highlighted broadband as essential infrastructure for education, health care, and economic development; construction is expected to continue on multiple BEAD-backed projects across Louisiana.
