Louisiana gets $80 million in Stimulus for Broadband

In a sign that the part of the stimulus dedicated to broadband is starting to flow, Louisiana is receiving an $80 million federal grant for 900 miles of fiber optic cable, the AP reported today.

It will expand the reach of broadband Internet to rural and poor areas of the state.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke says the broadband cable will reach 100,000 households, 15,000 businesses and 150 institutions such as schools, universities and medical centers.

Locke said that a third of Louisiana residents don't have access to the Internet and many others are still using dial-up connections.