For Immediate Release:                    Contact:

March 7, 2010                                     Scot Byrd, Director of Economic Development

                                                            Phone:  (225) 638-3500

                                                            Email:   pointecoupeechamber@yahoo.com

Pointe Coupee Excited about Broadband Internet Expansion

NEW ROADS, LA – The Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce is excited about the news that Senator Landrieu and Commerce Secretary Locke announced Friday regarding the broadband grant award for Louisiana.

$80 million dollars has been awarded to the Louisiana Broadband Alliance, which is a multi-partner agency headed by the Board of Regents and Louisiana Public Broadcasting.  The plan awarded targets the rural, impoverished parishes of the Louisiana Delta Initiative.

The Louisiana Delta Initiative is a regional network of community and economic development organizations working in collaboration to improve the economic conditions in a 12 parish, Louisiana delta region including the parishes of Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Madison, Morehouse, Quachita, Pointe Coupee, Richland, Tensas and West Carroll.

The Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce extends its deepest appreciation to Senator Landrieu, Secretary Locke, the members of the Louisiana Broadband Alliance, and the Louisiana Delta Initiative.  As Senator Landrieu said, this award will improve health care, emergency services, education, and economic development for Pointe Coupee.

For more information about the Chamber, please visit our website at www.pcchamber.org.

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