U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said Louisiana was taking “a major step forward” last week after the state became the first in the nation to have their BEAD initial proposal approved by the NTIA.

The approval has paved the way for Louisiana to enter the implementation phase of the BEAD program, the agency said.

The NTIA, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced the approval of Louisana’s initial BEAD proposal Dec. 15. The announcement makes Louisiana the first of 56 states and territories that will seek approvals for their initial BEAD proposals, all hoping for their share of $42.45 billion in state grants authorized for the BEAD program by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Mitch Landrieu, who served as mayor of New Orleans between 2010 and 2018, now serves as Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator. In comments included with the NTIA’s announcement, Landrieu called the news an ‘incredible milestone’ for his home state.

Landrieu said the approval of Louisiana’s BEAD initial proposal “shows that we are making real progress towards closing the digital divide and connecting all Louisianans with high-speed internet.”

Gina Raimondo, the commerce secretary, called out some of the individual efforts to get Louisiana’s application approved.

“I congratulate Governor (John Bel) Edwards and the team at ConnectLA on this terrific achievement for Louisiana’s workers, businesses, communities, and families,” she said, according to the NTIA’s announcement.

Louisiana’s status as the first state to get approval for their initial BEAD proposal is the latest in a long list of broadband firsts for Louisiana.

According to ConnectLA, Louisiana was the first state to receive award approval for the Capital Projects Fund (GUMBO), and Louisiana was the first state to receive broadband award approval from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Louisiana is also first in the nation for enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program, according to ConnectLA.

ConnectLA, part of Louisiana’s Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity, began the statewide broadband challenge process on Oct. 6, according to the organization’s website.

The NTIA said Louisiana’s challenge process, which is required by the BEAD program, is expected to conclude in December.

In the announcement about Louisiana’s initial proposal approval, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) said his administration has worked with a sense of urgency “to ensure that high speed internet is not only accessible but reliable for every single Louisianan.”

“Our plan stresses resilience, connectivity and affordability, and we will implement it as submitted with shovel ready projects set to begin next year,” he said. “Not only that, but our partnership with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System will make certain we develop a very strong, skilled and credentialed workforce for the infrastructure jobs that are to come.”