ConnectLA celebrates Volt Broadband expansion, bringing high-speed internet to more Louisiana families and businesses

BATON ROUGE, La. (July 16, 2026) — State and local leaders joined ConnectLA and Volt Broadband today to celebrate the completion of a broadband expansion project connecting homes and businesses in Northeast Louisiana, marking another milestone in Louisiana's statewide effort to connect every community with reliable, affordable high-speed internet.

The project, funded through the Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO 1.0) program, expands access to high-speed internet service for homes and businesses. In total, Volt Broadband, which has headquarters in Rayville, has connected nearly 7,000 locations in Northeast Louisiana, strengthening opportunities for education, healthcare, public safety and economic development. 

The milestone comes as Louisiana continues building the infrastructure necessary to support historic economic growth. From increasing high-speed internet access in communities across the state to attracting transformative investments like Meta's recently announced expansion, Louisiana is building the foundation for long-term success.

"Louisiana is continuing to make the investments needed to support our state's long-term growth," said Gov. Jeff Landry. "Projects like this strengthen the infrastructure that communities and employers rely on every day, while helping ensure every region of Louisiana is prepared for future opportunities. I appreciate President Trump and Louisiana's congressional delegation for their continued partnership in helping us deliver results for the people of Louisiana."

"Major economic announcements don't happen in isolation," said Veneeth Iyengar, executive director of ConnectLA. "They are supported by years of investment in the infrastructure that powers a modern economy. As Louisiana continues attracting world-class employers, we're making sure communities of every size have the connectivity they need to grow alongside them."

Local legislators said the project will create lasting opportunities for families, businesses and community institutions across Northeast Louisiana.

"Reliable broadband creates opportunities that extend far beyond internet access," said state Sen. Glen Womack. "This investment will strengthen our schools, support local businesses, improve access to healthcare and ensure families have the tools they need to succeed. It's exciting to see another project delivering lasting benefits for Northeast Louisiana."

"Investments like this strengthen the foundation of our local economy," said state Rep. Michael Echols. "Reliable broadband helps businesses expand, supports entrepreneurs and ensures Northeast Louisiana remains competitive as our state continues to attract new investment."

"As Louisiana continues to grow, investments like this help ensure communities like Richland Parish are ready to compete," said Savannah Morris, Executive Director of the Richland Parish Chamber of Commerce. "Reliable broadband supports local businesses, expands opportunities for residents, and strengthens our community for the future. We appreciate ConnectLA and Volt for their partnership in making this investment possible."

As construction continues across Louisiana, broadband providers remain critical partners in delivering reliable connectivity to underserved communities.

"This project reflects what strong partnerships can accomplish," said Jeff Churchwell, Volt Broadband. "Working alongside ConnectLA, local leaders and our crews in the field, we've delivered the infrastructure that will serve Louisiana for decades to come. We're proud to help connect more Louisiana families and businesses to reliable, high-speed internet."

Louisiana's broadband strategy has become a national model for delivering projects efficiently while maximizing taxpayer dollars. Through GUMBO, BEAD and other broadband initiatives, ConnectLA is expanding access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet while positioning communities across the state for long-term economic growth.

The work in Rayville and across Northeast Louisiana in partnership with Volt Broadband is one of many broadband investments underway across Louisiana as ConnectLA works to ensure every resident has access to the reliable connectivity needed to live, work, learn and grow.

About ConnectLA

The Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity (ConnectLA) leads the state’s efforts to expand high-speed internet access and close the digital divide. Housed within the Louisiana Division of Administration, ConnectLA works across federal, state and local partners to identify and implement strategies that ensure every resident can benefit from reliable broadband connectivity. For more information, visit connect.la.gov.