Central Louisiana News

BATON ROUGE – Yesterday afternoon, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) addressed the Amite Chamber of Commerce, focusing on the benefits of his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), particularly in extending high-speed broadband to rural Louisiana.

“There were business and community leaders who came today to learn how to make Tangipahoa safer and more prosperous,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Because of the infrastructure bill, we can protect this area from floods and gas leaks, and take local small businesses global with high-speed broadband. We can partner to give our children and grandchildren a brighter future in this community.”

The IIJA is providing $1.35 billion for the GUMBO 2.0 broadband program, announced last week alongside Governor Jeff Landry. The program aims to expand broadband access to 100,000 homes, including 60,000 in rural communities. Small businesses, schools, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies will also benefit.

Tangipahoa Parish has seen other benefits from the IIJA as well. In July, over $890,000 was allocated to the City of Hammond for improvements at the Hammond Northshore Regional Airport. Additionally, Cassidy is working to secure funds in a separate Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bill for the Airport Road and Highway 3158 Roundabout Project.

Cassidy also mentioned his visit last month to Liuzza Farms in Tangipahoa Parish with U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, as they prepare a future Farm Bill. He praised local leaders present at the event for their efforts to improve Tangipahoa Parish, including newly appointed Sheriffs of Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes and the President of Southeastern Louisiana University.

“We appreciate Senator Cassidy’s willingness to visit us in Amite and advocate for us in Washington,” said Bridget Keyser, President of the Amite Chamber of Commerce. “He is helping extend high-speed broadband to rural communities and ensure we have access to federal dollars for water and sewage upgrades that larger cities enjoy. That makes a big difference for Amite and our entire parish.”