Sulphur, Louisiana – Cameron Communications (LBH, LLC), has been awarded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds in the amount of $16.8M in grant money and $16.8M in loan money for construction of a state of the art fiber network capable of bringing advanced broadband services to the communities of Moss Bluff, Oakdale and Vinton, Louisiana.
This program allows for expansion of broadband Internet service to the most under-served and unserved areas of Louisiana. It provides for an increase in high speed Internet accessibility and construction jobs, and provides small businesses the ability to compete with existing businesses in more advanced areas of the country.
The federal government received approximately 2,200 grant applications during the first round of requests; each applicant hoping for a share of the $7.2 billion to improve broadband service to the “unserved” and “underserved” in and around their service areas. Cameron was among the first to file for such funding as part of the broadband stimulus package.
“We are excited to be awarded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds for construction of a state of the art fiber network capable of bringing advanced broadband services to the communities of Moss Bluff, Oakdale and Vinton, Louisiana. This project will be a big boost to the local economy as well as an enhancement to the quality of life in these areas. We are most thankful to Senator Landrieu, Congressman Boustany and local and state officials for their support of our broadband application”, said George Mack, President of Cameron Communications.
LBH, a subsidiary of Cameron Communications, will be constructing a state-of-the-art Fiber to the Home (FTTH) system in all areas, providing for the same advanced broadband capabilities afforded to consumers in major metropolitan and urban areas. The project will consist of 262 miles of fiber to be buried underground which will maximize the investment to these local communities enhancing the integrity of the network.
With the award of the ARRA funds, LBH will be expanding broadband technology to the schools, libraries, hospitals, public safety and governmental agencies in these communities, allowing the consumers and businesses in these areas to keep pace with the increasing demands of a global economy.
They will be offering bundled packages of High-Speed Internet, Digital Cable and Phone along with an array of advanced services including: Unlimited High-Speed Internet, HD channels, Video On-Demand programming, DVR and more.
LBH, is expected to receive official, written notification regarding the funding, from the USDA Rural Utility Service (RUS) within the next three weeks. At this time, they will begin the evaluation and planning process to ensure the utmost success of this project.
“This is an exciting time for Cameron Communications. We are always striving to bring our customers the most advanced technology available in the most cost-effective manner” said George Mack, President of Cameron Communications. “These projects are opening the doors for consumers in these areas to have limitless broadband opportunities”.
Cameron Communications is Southwest Louisiana’s provider of Fiber technology, bringing High-Speed Internet, Digital Cable and Phone service to Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes. For more information, please visit us at www.camtel.com
