"My administration and our partners are bridging the digital divide in an effort to unleash the power of connectivity for all our residents,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Far too many of our residents currently do not have at-home internet. Now that work, school, healthcare and other essential services are more often remote and online, it is critical that we tackle this important issue collaboratively and equip our residents with the tools they need to succeed. I'm proud that the City is working in tandem with a large team of local, state and non-profit partners to help level the digital playing field and bring all our residents into the 21st century."   

The ACP is a $14.2 billion FCC benefit program that helps ensure that qualifying low-income households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. 

A household is eligible for the ACP if the household income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Additionally, a household is eligible if a member of the household takes part in a wide variety of federal assistance programs, including Pell Grants, SNAP, Medicaid, Free or Reduced-Price School Breakfast or Lunch Program, WIC, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits and Federal Housing Assistance.  

New Orleans still has a major digital divide. Over 30 percent of households lack home internet, and roughly 21 percent do not have a computer. Figures from the FCC show that just under 40,000 eligible households have signed up for the ACP in Orleans Parish, out of an estimated 85,000 eligible households. 

“Every family and every student in Louisiana needs access to high-speed internet to reach their full potential,” said Louisiana Senator Dr. Bill Cassidy. “The funding will bring that access to students who have not had it. We must put the next generation in a position to succeed.” 

“The internet is not a luxury; it is a necessity! The Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program will help get New Orleans digitally connected and ensure that low-income households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and so much more,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. “We’re seeing real results from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I proudly supported and which made this funding possible.” 

With this funding, the City of New Orleans and partner organizations will assist eligible low-income households not currently on a low-income broadband plan to sign up for the ACP. Partners on this campaign include the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, NOLA Ready, New Orleans Public Schools, New Orleans Public Libraries, the New Orleans Health Department, Housing Authority of New Orleans, Resilience Force, Delgado Community College, New Orleans and Company, Second Harvest Food Bank and Feeding Louisiana. 

"The Information Technology and Innovation (ITI) team is thankful for this program funding,” said Kimberly LaGrue, City of New Orleans Chief Information Officer. “Affordable connectivity is essential to bridge the city’s growing digital divide that currently leaves 35 percent of New Orleans households without internet in the home. We look forward to working with our strong partners to move the needle toward more equitable access to digital resources for our residents.” 

The award for the City of New Orleans was one of four awards made in Louisiana and part of $66 million in ACP Outreach Grant Program awards made nationwide. More information can be found at www.fcc.gov/acp-grants.

The City’s proposal was crafted by Mayor Cantrell’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Task Force. The City created the multi-departmental IIJA Task Force in January 2022 to analyze infrastructure needs within the City and secure funding from the new infrastructure law.