U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced today that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.2 million grant to the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. This grant is meant to fund the construction of fiber optic cable on their tribal land, which spans both Allen and Jefferson Parish, to bring high-speed internet service to local residents and businesses.
The fiber optic cable will be laid along U.S. 165 and will be supported by an additional $550,000 in local funds. This initiative is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which is aimed at bolstering regional economies across the country, particularly in tribal communities. This includes ensuring affordable and reliable high-speed internet.
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stressed that the EDA investment is crucial for business growth and economic stability in the region. She added that apart from supporting existing businesses, the high-speed internet service will also help in creating a stable regional economy.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo further underscored the importance of the EDA’s close collaboration with tribal communities for place-based economic growth. She mentioned that the investment in the Coushatta Tribe will open new opportunities for business growth and expansion, and will also support remote work, telehealth services, and remote education – contributing to a diversified local economy.
The project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided the EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds. These funds are intended for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in 2021 and 2022.
