🚧 Groundbreaking for New Community Center in Avoyelles Parish! 📚

The Avoyelles Parish School Board in partnership with the Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity (ConnectLA) and Gov. Landry’s administration held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Avoyelles Community Education Center in Bunkie.

The center is part of the GUMBO 1.0 program designed to help eligible partners invest in capital assets that go far beyond broadband expansion to enable work education and health monitoring opportunities for the surrounding community. The investment will not only expand digital infrastructure but also create educational access economic growth improved health outcomes and long-term opportunity across rural regions of the state.

The center represents a significant investment in the future of Avoyelles Parish expanding opportunities for career training and lifelong learning as well as improving health outcomes. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday Dec. 11 officially marking the start of the project.

“Putting shovels in the ground on these community centers marks a major milestone for our office in reaching our goal to get every Louisianan finally connected. We have been laser-focused on meeting with the leaders of small but mighty towns like Bunkie listening to their needs and collaborating effectively to make sure Louisiana is No. 1 in the country for universal connectivity and tech transformation.” said Veneeth Iyengar Executive Director of ConnectLA.

The initiative underscores the district’s commitment to building a stronger more competitive parish. The Avoyelles Career Education Center will:

• Grow a skilled local workforce and support businesses and industries seeking trained employees through workforce development and certification programs
• Provide clear pathways to career changes and advancement
• Increase opportunities for internships apprenticeships and dual enrollment
• Open Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways for students
• Give our community access to technology-rich labs and classrooms that support digital skills training
• Have flexible spaces for employer partnerships workshops hands-on learning health monitoring and more

By bridging education industry and health services the center will serve as a powerful driver of economic vitality throughout Avoyelles Parish.

The project is made possible through federal funding provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund and administered by ConnectLA. The center is set to be completed in December 2026.

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.