BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana plans to open applications Nov. 1 for a program reimbursing eligible local governments and public utility systems for repairs to underground infrastructure damaged during broadband construction.
The Louisiana Department of Health’s Broadband Damage Reimbursement Program will receive $5 million annually through the Local Infrastructure Fund. The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget approved the program’s guidelines, according to an announcement from state officials.
The initial application period covers eligible damage incurred from Jan. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026. Applications close Jan. 1, 2027.
Eligible expenses include documented costs for materials, equipment, labor and professional support associated with repairs to public underground utility infrastructure.
State officials said the guidelines provide reimbursement of up to 100% of supported repair costs, subject to limits of $50,000 for systems serving 10,000 people or fewer and $30,000 for those serving more than 10,000.
LDH anticipates as many as 300 public water systems, municipalities and parish governments could apply.
“As legislators, we saw that we needed to step up and provide state support for our local public utilities, municipalities and parish governments who couldn’t shoulder the cost of these construction repairs on their own,” said state Sen. Glen Womack, R-Harrisonburg, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
The LDH Bureau of Engineering Services is scheduled to make funding recommendations by Jan. 31, 2027.
For information about program guidelines, contact [email protected].