ULI Louisiana: Plank Road - Bridging the Digital Divide
The Plank Road Corridor in Baton Rouge, capital city of Louisiana, is one of the most disinvested and economically disadvantaged corridors in the state - with median household incomes and home values about half of statewide averages. Forty percent of households do not have an internet subscription or cellular data plan, and twenty-two percent of adults have never purchased an item through the internet. This disparity in the digital divide must be addressed as an equity issue. For a 21st century community to thrive, broadband is a necessity rather than a luxury. Evidence shows that access to reliable internet improves communication and connection, and there are significant economic benefits that come with access to high quality internet for businesses, commerce, academics, and everyday life. For every dollar invested in broadband access, there is a defined economic multiplier. In Baton Rouge, the lack of broadband access in certain portions of the city had been a problem before Covid-19. When the reliance on online communication and virtual learning dramatically increased during the pandemic, the digital divide was exacerbated further.
To come up with ways in which broadband internet access could be delivered to Baton Rouge, ULI Louisiana agreed to conduct a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) for Plank Road: Bridging the Digital Divide. A group of six expert panelists held wide ranging discussions on October 21-22, 2021, at the Delmont Gardens Branch Library. The panelists included real estate developers, community developers, landscape architects, and land use specialists. Together, they evaluated all of the available qualitative and quantitative information related to the vision and statement of need. Key recommendations included the following: 1) Develop the Plank Road Innovation Corridor 2) Form Plank Road Broadband Working Group 3) Engage the Community 4) Identify and Track Funding sources.
Report Summary: The Plank Road Corridor in Baton Rouge, capital city of Louisiana, is one of the most disinvested and economically disadvantaged corridors in the state - with median household incomes and home values about half of statewide averages. Forty percent of households do not have an internet subscription or cellular data plan, and twenty-two percent of adults have never purchased an item through the internet. This disparity in the digital divide must be addressed as an equity issue. For a 21st century community to thrive, broadband is a necessity rather than a luxury. Evidence shows that access to reliable internet improves communication and connection, and there are significant economic benefits that come with access to high quality internet for businesses, commerce, academics, and everyday life. For every dollar invested in broadband access, there is a defined economic multiplier. In Baton Rouge, the lack of broadband access in certain portions of the city had been a problem before Covid-19. When the reliance on online communication and virtual learning dramatically increased during the pandemic, the digital divide was exacerbated further.
To come up with ways in which broadband internet access could be delivered to Baton Rouge, ULI Louisiana agreed to conduct a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) for Plank Road: Bridging the Digital Divide. A group of six expert panelists held wide ranging discussions on October 21-22, 2021, at the Delmont Gardens Branch Library. The panelists included real estate developers, community developers, landscape architects, and land use specialists. Together, they evaluated all of the available qualitative and quantitative information related to the vision and statement of need. Key recommendations included the following: 1) Develop the Plank Road Innovation Corridor 2) Form Plank Road Broadband Working Group 3) Engage the Community 4) Identify and Track Funding sources.