Summary
THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL SUPPORT CLOSING THE BROADBAND AVAILABILITY GAP AND SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN. THE PROPOSED PROJECT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PLANNING AND PRE-DEPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE APPLICANT WILL CONDUCT RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION THAT WILL SUPPORT THE ONGOING DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOUISIANA STATEWIDE BROADBAND MAP; FACILITATE ENGAGEMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 5-YEAR ACTION PLAN THROUGH PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER OUTREACH; CONDUCT TRAININGS FOR BROADBAND PROGRAM STAFF AND CONTRACTORS TO ENABLE THEM TO EXECUTE THE BEAD PROGRAM; SUPPORT THE INCREASE IN STAFF AND CONTRACTS OF THE BROADBAND OFFICE IN ORDER TO EXECUTE THE BEAD PROGRAM; CONDUCT ASSET MAPPING, WHICH WILL INFORM THE 5-YEAR ACTION PLAN; CONDUCT SURVEYS OF UNSERVED, UNDERSERVED, AND UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND BARRIERS TO ADOPTION; AND SUPPORT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MEETING THE LOCAL COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING CAPACIT
