LAFAYETTE, La. – July 8, 2010 – Today, Cox Louisiana made a commitment to help bridge the gap in the digital divide. The company announced it will make a donation this fall of computers and Cox High Speed Internet to at-risk students. Cox also announced the creation of a Cox Technology Center, a fully loaded computer lab to aid in after-school tutoring, at the Acadiana Boys & Girls Clubs' Jackie Club. The partnerships between Cox and the Lafayette Parish School System and its GearUp initiative, and Cox and the Acadiana Boys & Girls Club are the latest examples of Cox's long-standing commitment to education and "bridging the digital divide."

With the help of the Lafayette Parish School System, Cox has identified 8^th grade students for an incentive-based computer and Internet service program. Three hundred-fifty students, who live in homes without Internet access, will be targeted to receive Cox High Speed Internet free for one year. The students will also be given a Dell netbook computer in order to access the Internet.

"Cox is working with two outstanding partners to make a difference in Lafayette," said Cox Acadiana Director of Operations Julie Simon-Dronet. "To support our efforts, we are making a new, private investment of more than a quarter of a million dollars in education and broadband initiatives in the city. As such, we are empowering students to cross the educational and digital divides," she continued.

A rubric has been designed by the School System, and points will be awarded based on grades, behavior, school attendance, as well as GEARUP student and parent participation. Cox High Speed Internet will be installed free of charge, and netbooks will be disseminated after the first six weeks report cards have been distributed.

Superintendent Burnell Lemoine said the Lafayette Parish School System is grateful for the strong partnership it has with Cox. When the system opened the state's first Early College Academy in the fall of 2008, Cox donated laptops to each of ECA's first 50 students. "We thought what Cox did for our Early College Academy a couple of years ago was unbelievable," Lemoine said. "That was quite a commitment they made. But they've even topped that. We're elated."

Lemoine said Cox has been a partner that has always responded to Lafayette students’ needs.

"What a terrific benefit for these students," Lemoine said of the most recent donation. "Cox has always been very thoughtful in their support. They always try to determine where they can do the most good. They know what our needs are, and they are extremely helpful in responding to those needs."

Cox also announced the donation of a computer lab for the Acadiana Boys & Girls Clubs' Jackie Club. The "Cox Technology Center" is slated to be unveiled in early fall. Two years ago, Cox donated a lab to Lafayette's Granberry Club, which serves more than 600 Acadiana youth. Today, the company's outreach efforts will affect an additional 400 students - meaning that more than 1,000 Acadiana youth will be given a bridge over the digital divide through the Cox and Acadiana Boys & Girls Clubs partnership. Cox already provides free Cox High Speed Internet to Boys & Girls Clubs in Acadiana and throughout the Cox footprint nationwide.

"This computer lab is one example of what can happen when a great community partner, like Cox, steps up to solve a community issue. In this case, it's helping bridge the gap in the digital divide," said Acadiana Boys & Girls Clubs Chief Professional Officer Chris Martin."

"Cox is deeply committed to education and to giving back to our communities by providing solutions," said Dronet. "Through today's announcement, we're addressing the digital divide in the home, in the school and in the community. We view this as a continuation of Cox's long-term commitment to improving Lafayette."

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About Cox Louisiana

Cox Louisiana employs nearly 1,650 people with an annual payroll of over $80 million. In this region, Cox serves over 511,000 customers with voice, video and data products in the 18 parishes of Acadia, Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafayette, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. Martin, St. Mary, Vermilion and West Baton Rouge. Information about the products and services offered in the combined Louisiana markets can be found at www.cox.com/louisiana.

Acerca de Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves more than 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising.

Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; for five years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity, and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com/espanol y www.coxmedia.com.