Claiming Another First, Louisiana Disburses $43 Million in BEAD Funds
The state wants to see non-deployment funding for workforce development, permitting assistance.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2026 – Louisiana has officially disbursed funding under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, something the state said Monday was a national first.
“Getting these dollars out is a big practical step for our state. It means providers can line up crews, order materials and finally get shovels in the ground.” Veneeth Iyengar, executive director of Louisiana’s broadband office, said in a statement.
Under state law, 10 percent of an ISP’s BEAD award is made available soon after signing grant agreements. Iyengar confirmed that $43 million had been disbursed, 10 percent of the $430 million in BEAD contracts that state had signed so far.
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