Later this month, Vernon Parish citizens will have the opportunity to get clarity on upcoming broadband upgrades.

State Representative Charles Owens spoke briefly about the public meeting at the Leesville City Council meeting on Monday, August 14.

“With the proliferation of federal and state money coming to our parish to get internet… there is a lot of concern as to who’s in charge of what.”

In 2022, Louisiana granted over $170 million to private broadband projects in 50 parishes throughout the Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) grant program. 

Cable South and Swyft Fiber were granted $4,418,300 for a $11,118,300 project that will cover 2,654 locations. 

He said that there are many moving parts to get broadband in Vernon Parish. To make the process clear for the public, he asked Veneeth Iyengar, Louisiana executive director of development and connectivity, to come to the City to speak on the morning of Friday, August 25.

“The long-term goal is going to be 100 percent coverage in Vernon Parish, and I have confidence that we’re going to get there…In the meantime… there is going to be lots of gnashing of teeth. So, hopefully, we can provide the public a chance to come ask questions to be able to proliferate what is actually going on.”

The time and location have yet to be determined.