High-speed Internet connections are on the way to rural areas of Louisiana, and the LSU AgCenter, Concordia Parish Library and City of Vidalia is partnering together to prepare our residents for its arrival. A “Connect Concordia” program is being sponsored through this partnership and will provide residents with awareness and basic education of broadband technology.

The “Connect Concordia” program will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Concordia Parish Library branch in Vidalia. Speakers will include Dave Woerner with the LSU AgCenter and Bob Buseck, City of Vidalia IT administrator. Ag Center speakers will focus their presentation on the basics of “What is Broadband?,” while Mr. Buseck will be discussing the fiber project for the City of Vidalia and how that will impact the city and entire parish. Information will also be made available regarding new technology programs available through local libraries by Amanda Taylor, Concordia Parish Library director.

This Connect Concordia program is part of a larger Connect My Louisiana project, which the LSU AgCenter is conducting in 18 parishes across the state.

The larger four-year project is the result of a grant through the Louisiana Division of Administration that will provide information that shows the benefits of adopting broadband technology in business, education, health care and other aspects of economic activity. The main focus of the overall project will be providing consumers, business owners, local government representatives and public and private organizations with access to educational resources that promote greater broadband adoption.

The LSU AgCenter has the infrastructure and the capabilities for presenting a broadband Internet awareness program, said LSU Associate Vice Chancellor Dwight Landreneau.

“We have the technology, we have the connectivity in our local offices, and we have a reputation with our clientele that they’ll trust what we say about this new initiative,” Landreneau said.

The Connect My Louisiana program offers free classes in a variety of broadband technology areas that will enhance our communities, business and life.

Connect My Louisiana courses will include: What is Broadband?; E-Commerce Economy; Introduction to Online Business; Louisiana MarketMaker; Introduction to eBay; Introduction to Social Networking in Business; Education and Personal Life: Using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; iNutrition – MyPlate; Mobile Broadband Application; The Tablet World; Blogging for Business and Mobile Connectivity.

The 18 parishes included in the Connect My Louisiana initiative are Allen, Avoyelles, Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Franklin, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Madison, Morehouse, Pointe Coupee, Richland, St. Helena, Tensas, Washington and West Carroll.

For more information on the Connect My Louisiana broadband initiative or to schedule a presentation, you may contact me at the LSU AgCenter at 318-435-2903.

Terri Crawford is the extension agent at the LSU AgCenter.