A symbolic ribbon cutting was held Wednesday at the annex office of Webster Parish Police Jury to announce some of Webster Parish’s broadband connectivity. Dixie Inn Mayor Donna Hoffoss told other officials that having fiber optic internet has helped her village.

“It’s so nice to have something in place that’s reliable,” Hoffoss said.

The GUMBO program, administered by ConnectLA is helping underserved areas of Webster and the state, using AT&T as the internet service provider.

Also attending the ribbon cutting were AT&T representatives, including David Aubrey, Veneeth Iyengar, executive director of Broadband Development and Connectivity, Katie Tippen of the Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce, Bubba Sessions of the governor’s office, Chip Layton with Congressman Mike Johnson’s office, Jayda Spillers, chancellor of Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College and WPPJ president Jim Bonsall.

At this time, 139 households and 28 businesses in Webster Parish receive the service.