2016-2021

RETHINKING THE DELTA

DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY:

LOUISIANA’S REGIONAL 

DEVELOPMENT PLAN

2016-2021 DRA: LOUISIANA’S REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Contents......................................................................................................................................... i 

The Governor’s Vision for Louisiana........................................................................................ iii

Acknowledgements................................................................................................................. iv-vii 

Executive Summary...................................................................................................................... 1 

Introduction: Plan Development Overview............................................................................ 2-3 

Section A: Challenges and Opportunities: State of the State................................................ 3-4 

The Challenge for Louisiana........................................................................................................ 5 

Section B: Governor and State’s Goals, Priorities and Programs........................................ 5-6 

Coordination with Local Development Districts.................................................................... 6-7 

Local Partners............................................................................................................................... 7 

Additional Considerations........................................................................................................... 8 

Summary of Initiatives................................................................................................................. 9 

Section C: Alignment of the Governor’s Priorities with DRA and Implementation Plan... 10 

DRA Goal 1: Workforce Competitiveness.............................................................. 10-12 

DRA Goal 2: Infrastructure..................................................................................... 13-17 

DRA Goal 3: Community Development.................................................................. 18-21 

Section D: State Resources: 

Best Practices, Tools & Models for Economic Development........................... 22-32 

 

Appendix A: Governor Edwards’ Goals for Louisiana..................................................... 34-36 

 

Appendix B: LED’s Strategic Plan 2015-2019.................................................................... 38-59 

 

Appendix C: Louisiana’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.................. 60-76 

Appendix D: States’ Economic Development Assistance Plan.......................................... 78-80 
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Page Intentionally Left Blank
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Governor’s Vision for Louisiana 

Our state of Louisiana is a land of diverse people and ideas. 

For centuries, we have weathered great natural and manmade 

challenges in our state. Louisianans serve as an example to 

the rest of the country that diversity is indeed a source of 

strength, not division. 

The Louisiana Delta is blessed with an abundance of natural 

resources, including rich agricultural lands, timber resources, 

and a vibrant oil and natural gas industry. But our most 

important treasure is our people. The challenges facing those 

who live in the Louisiana Delta region today are great, though. 

Too many who live here are still seeking employment or 

working several jobs and still battling to make ends meet. It is 

unacceptable when a parent's hard work is not enough to pay 

the bills or take a child or a grandparent to the doctor. We 

must work to end this. 

A critical part of the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) 

mission is to provide support to economically distressed communities and to help find funds for 

critical infrastructure improvements. My vision therefore includes working to provide more 

training and education to prepare Louisiana’s workforce so that we can create, attract, and grow 

business opportunities here in Louisiana. We encourage funding programs like LED’s FastStart 

program to help cultivate access to universities and community colleges whose curricula fit the 

needs of new and growing industries. We want to equip more Louisianans with the skills they 

need to fill Louisiana-based jobs. 

Our vision going forward must also include working to ensure basic health and safety for our 

people as well. My administration will work tirelessly to increase access to quality health care 

for our Louisiana families who live in the Delta. 

Finally, our vision calls for further investment to strengthen Louisiana’s infrastructure, both to 

improve our citizens’ quality of life and to attract and retain strong businesses here in the Delta. 

From internet access to roadways, from clean water to our ports, my administration will seize 

upon every available opportunity and source of funding to help improve our infrastructure here 

in the Delta. 

Partnering with the private sector and with our federal partners, like DRA, plays a vital role in 

moving Louisiana forward. We will work to implement our strategic plan for the Louisiana 

Delta parishes in concert with DRA’s initiatives. 

I look forward to working with my fellow DRA governors. Together, I am confident that we can 

transform Louisiana and our respective states into a stronger Delta region we can all continue to 

be proud to call home. 
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The preparation of the 2016-2021 Delta Regional Authority Five-Year Regional Development 

Plan for Louisiana was the result of a coordinated effort of state, regional and local 

organizations. Coordination of this effort from the Office of the Governor was facilitated by 

Doyle Robinson and Leslie Durham. 

Office of the Governor 

Coordination from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development was led by Skip Smart 

under the authority of then Secretary Steven Grissom and current Secretary Don Pierson. 

Louisiana Economic Development Department 

Don Pierson Skip Smart 

Secretary of Economic Development Director of Community Competitiveness 

1051 North Third Street 1051 North Third Street 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802-5239 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802-5239 

ph: (225) 342-5388 ph: (225) 342-4321 

paine.gowen@la.gov smart@la.gov

The Governor’s Office and LED representatives were assisted in this work by members of the 

Louisiana Strategic Planning Committee and South Central Planning and Development 

Commission; 

Delta Regional Authority—Louisiana Strategic Planning Committee

Doyle Robinson Heather Malone – Co-Chair Skip Smart – Co-Chair 

Former DRA State Dir. Economic Development Director Dir., Community Competiveness 

Winnsboro, LA Concordia Parish Economic Louisiana Economic Development 

doyle.la@centurytel.net Development smart@la.gov 

ph: (318) 381-2144 heather@concordiaed.com ph: (225) 241-0305 

ph: (318) 719-1390 

The State of Louisiana wishes to take this opportunity to acknowledge these partners.

John Bel Edwards Leslie Durham 

Governor of Louisiana Delta Regional Authority Designee 

P.O. Box 94004 6570 Main Street 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804 Winnsboro, Louisiana 71295 

ph: (225) 342-7015 ph: (225) 362-2731 

leslie.durham@la.gov

 
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Delta Regional Authority—Louisiana Strategic Planning Committee (continued)

Mike Taylor B.R. Audirsch 

(Former LA State Dir., USDA, RD) (Former Mayor of Winnfield; Former LED Regional Dir.) 

Executive Director Winnfield, LA 

Louisiana Land Trust braudirsch@suddenlink.net 

mbt_services@outlook.com ph: (318) 278-9569 

ph: (318) 613-7701 

 

Blake Kramer Kristi Lumpkin 

Hospital Administrator Economic Development Administrator 

Franklin Medical Center City of Ruston, LA 

bkramer@fmc-cares.com klumpkin@ruston.org 

ph: (318) 412-5265 ph: (318) 278-9569 

 

Cullen Curole Individuals under the direction of Cullen Curole 

Economic Development Administrator Todd Terrebonne – Graphics (SCPDC) 

South Central Planning and Dylan Landry – Editor/Graphics/Co-Author (SCPDC) 

Development Commission (SCPDC) Mi Lam – Editor (SCPDC) 

cullen@scpdc.org Lynette Cortez – Administrative Assistant (SCPDC) 

ph: (985) 665-7324 Wendy Aucoin – Editor (SCPDC) 

 Brooke Curole – Photographer 

The Louisiana Local Development Districts were most helpful in developing strategies. Each 

Local Development District provided their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies 

and allowed the use of them as needed. 

Louisiana Local Development Districts

District 1: Regional Planning Commission District 2: Capital Region Planning Commission 

Walter Brooks, Executive Director Jaime Setze, Executive Director 

Maggie Woodruff (Economic Development) Courtney Maciasz, Director of Economic 

Parishes: Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, Development & Public Affairs 

St. Bernard, Plaquemines Parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East 

Regional Transportation Management Center, Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston 

10 Veterans Blvd. 333 North 19th St. 

New Orleans, Louisiana 70124-1134 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 

ph: (504) 483-8500 fax: (504) 483-8526 ph: (225)383-5203 fax: (225) 383-3804 

mwoodruff@norpc.org cmaciasz@brgov.com

www.norpc.org www.crpc-la.org

 

The State of Louisiana wishes to take this opportunity to acknowledge these partners.
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Louisiana Local Development Districts (continued)

District 3: South Central Planning & District 4: Acadiana Planning Commission 

Development Commission (formerly Acadiana Regional Development District)

Kevin Belanger, Executive Director Kevin Belanger, Interim Executive Director 

Cullen Curole, Economic Development Monique Boulet (Economic Development) 

Administrator Parishes: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, 

Parishes: Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. Landry, St. Martin, Vermillion 

St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, P.O. Box 568 Carencro, Louisiana 70520 

Terrebonne 208 W. Gloria Switch Road 

5058 W. Main St. Lafayette, Louisiana 70507 

Houma, Louisiana 70360-4900 ph: (337) 886-7782 fax: 337-866-7081 

ph: (985) 851-2900 fax: (985) 851-4472 moniqueb@planacadiana.org

cullen@scpdc.org www.planacadiana.org

www.scpdc.org

District 5: Imperial Calcasieu Regional District 6: Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning & 

Planning & Development District Development District 

Jerry Jones, Interim Executive Director Heather S. Urena, CEcD, Executive Director 

Parishes: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Parishes: Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, 

Cameron, Jefferson Davis Grant, LaSalle, Rapides, Vernon, Winn 

P.O. Box 3164 3516 Parliament Court 

Lake Charles, Louisiana 70602 Alexandria, Louisiana 71303 

ph: (337) 433-1771 fax: (337) 433-6077 ph: (318) 487-5454 fax: (318) 487-5451 

jerry@imcal.org kdelta@kricket.net

www.imcal.org www.kdelta.org

 

District 7: The Coordinating & Development District 8: North Delta Regional Planning & 

Corporation Development District 

M.D. LeComte, CEO David Creed, Executive Director 

Dianna Roark, Div. of Economic Development Tracy Ausberry, Senior Planner 

Parishes: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Parishes: Caldwell, E. Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, 

Claiborne, DeSoto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, 

Red River, Sabine, Webster Union, W. Carroll 

P.O. Box 37005 1913 Stubbs Ave. 

Shreveport, Louisiana 71133-7005 Monroe, Louisiana 71201 

ph: (318) 632-2022 fax: (318) 632-2099 ph: (318) 387-2572 fax: (318) 387-9054 

roark@cdconline.org tracy@northdelta.org

www.cdconline.org www.northdelta.org

 

The State of Louisiana wishes to take this opportunity to acknowledge these partners.
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Much of the work in Economic Development is conducted by local governments and members of 

the Louisiana Economic Alliance. The following Alliance members guide local and municipal 

governments in recruiting and other efforts. 

Louisiana Economic Alliances

Acadiana Economic Development Council Central Louisiana Economic Development

211 E. Devalcourt St. Alliance

Lafayette, Louisiana 70506 P.O. Box 465

ph: (337) 593-1400 fax: (337) 234-3009 900 Fourth Street, Suite 300 

www.teamacadiana.org Alexandria, Louisiana 71301

Gregg Gothreaux, LEDA ph: (318) 441-3400 fax: (318) 442-6734

cell: (337) 654-0934 www.centrallouisiana.org

nikkib@lafayette.org Jim Clinton, President/CEO

 cell: (318) 290.7231

Greater Baton Rouge Economic Development jclinton@cenla.org

d/b/a Baton Rouge Area Chamber

564 Laurel St. Greater New Orleans Inc.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801 1100 Poydras Street, Suite 3475 

ph: (225) 381-7125 fax: (225) 336-4306 New Orleans, Louisiana 70163 

www.brac.org ph: (504) 527-6900 fax: (504) 527-6970 

Adam L. Knapp, President/CEO www.gnoinc.org

cell: (225) 278-3708 Michael Hecht, President/CEO 

knapp@brac.org cell: (504) 715-5037

mhecht@gnoinc.org

Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance

204 Fair Avenue North Louisiana Economic Partnership

Winnsborro, Louisiana 71295 415 Texas St., Suite 320 

7500 Milhaven Road Shreveport, Louisiana 71101 

Monroe, Louisiana 71203 ph: (318) 677-2536 fax: (318) 397-8529 

ph: (318) 435-4865 fax: (318) 435-4895 www.nlep.org

www.nelea.us Scott Martinez, President 

Tana Trichel, President/CEO cell: (318) 924-5978 

cell: (318) 348-0826 smartinez@nlep.org

ttrichel@nelea.us

 Southwest Louisiana Economic 

South Louisiana Economic Council (SLEC) Development Alliance

P.O. Box 2048-NSU 4310 Ryan Street 

322 Audubon Ave., NSU, Lake Charles, LA 70605 

Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301 ph: (337) 433-3632 fax: (337) 436-3727 

ph: (985) 448-4485 fax: (985) 448-4486 www.allianceswla.org

www.bayouregion.com George Swift

Vic Lafont, President/CEO ph: (337) 433-3632 fax: (337) 436-3727 

cell: (985) 709-1466 gswift@allianceswla.org

vic.lafont@nicholls.edu

The State of Louisiana wishes to take this opportunity to acknowledge these partners.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Louisiana is one of eight (8) states with parishes (counties) that comprise the Delta Regional 

Authority (DRA). The Mississippi River Delta region is predominantly rural with the highest 

concentration of disadvantaged populations in the United States. As a part of this region, 

Louisiana faces profound concerns related to persistent poverty, out-migration, health, education, 

and income levels. These socio-economic factors indicate that Louisiana must utilize traditional 

and non-traditional community and economic development strategies in the future. Community 

and economic development approaches must evolve in order to be successful.

Since 2000, Louisiana has received benefits from its membership and participation in the Delta 

Regional Authority (DRA). The implementation of community and economic development 

strategies adopted in the 2016 Louisiana Five-Year Regional Development Plan has indeed 

benefitted the State. The State of Louisiana is committed to work with regional and local 

partners (both public and private) in support of DRA’s goals of Workforce Competitiveness, 

strengthening the Delta’s infrastructure, and enhancing local Community Development. 

Louisiana’s plan proposes to enhance state and local economic competitiveness; and to cultivate 

economic development assets; including business retention, recruitment, and expansion; and, 

small business development and entrepreneurship. This plan provides a realistic approach as to 

what Louisiana’s community and economic development goals will be in its combined efforts 

with DRA for future development of the Mississippi River Delta region. 

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INTRODUCTION: PLAN DEVELOPMENT 

 OVERVIEW

Louisiana participates in the activities of the Delta 

Regional Authority (DRA), as authorized under the Delta 

Regional Authority Act of 2000. The DRA serves as a 

unifying voice for community and economic 

development in the Mississippi River Delta. Led by a 

Federal co-chairman and the governors of each 

participating state, including Louisiana’s Governor John 

Bel Edwards, the DRA seeks to leverage resources and 

focus attention on the region. The DRA and Louisiana 

accomplish their missions by fostering partnerships with 

public, private, and non-profit entities. 

Encompassing 252 counties and parishes in portions of 

eight (8) states, including 56 parishes in Louisiana, the 

DRA region has deep historical and cultural roots. 

Compared to that of the United States, the overall economic well-being of the DRA region 

continues to experience pervasive economic distress. Even though many areas of the American 

South have prospered in the modern economic growth, the DRA region, including Louisiana, 

remained largely behind in all categories. Of the 56 parishes in the DRA region, 35 are defined 

as economically distressed. 

Under federal law, at least 75 percent of DRA’s funds must be invested in economically 

distressed counties and parishes. Additionally, DRA earmarks half of the funds for 

transportation and basic infrastructure projects. The DRA grant program provides an effective, 

accountable mechanism for federal investment in the region. The program doesn’t duplicate 

other federal programs in the region. Instead, the DRA funds are used to leverage other federal 

funds along with state, local, and private funds. 

Even though the DRA is a relatively young federal agency, since its first board meeting on 

February 23, 2002, it has invested over $128 million in the region through its federal grant 

program. These DRA funds have leveraged over $702 million in other public funds and over 

$2 billion in private funds. This is a ratio of 21.26 to 1. 

In Louisiana, DRA has funded $23,282,914 for 185 projects since Fiscal Year 2002 through 

2014. These DRA funds in Louisiana were matched by other public investments totaling 

$95,960,857 and other private investments of $765,450,000. This overall investment totals 

$887,596,771. 

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Louisiana is truly supportive of DRA’s commitment to serve as a focal point for resources and 

as an originator of ideas in support of community and economic development especially in rural 

communities. Louisiana recognizes that for the DRA to be an effective agency, its mission 

cannot be limited to reducing unemployment and poverty in failing communities. Louisiana and 

DRA realize they must concentrate on developing the assets needed to sustain long-term growth. 

On this basis of understanding, Louisiana, in conjunction with the DRA, will work with its 

partner states, as well as regional, local, and private-sector partners to build “critical mass” in 

communities throughout the region. Critical mass is central to this strategic plan and represents 

the potential for sustainable growth and private sector investment. 

SECTION A: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES: STATE OF THE STATE 

For too many years, Louisiana’s greatest export was not 

our agricultural products, not our wood products, not 

even our oil, gas or chemicals. Our greatest export was 

our people, particularly our young people, who 

frequently believed they had to leave Louisiana for 

greater economic opportunities in such places as 

Houston, Atlanta or Dallas. 

Dramatically changing this reality or, more specifically, repositioning Louisiana as the next great 

American state for business investment, quality of life and economic opportunity, has become the 

new vision for our state. To successfully fulfill this vision, it was necessary for Louisiana to 

advance from “good” to “great” in community, business, and economic development, as well as 

to cultivate new capabilities in product development, such as public-policy efforts designed to 

increase the attractiveness of Louisiana as a place in which to invest. In the process, Louisiana 

sought to become one of the top states in economic development in the country. 

Embracing a plan which represented movement toward non-traditional community and economic 

development strategies, Louisiana in recent years began to reposition itself a great state for 

business investment, quality of life, and economic opportunity. This new effort reflected the 

vision of Louisiana as a region where people, communities, and businesses flourish, and the plan 

contained prioritized goals, strategies, and actions that focused the DRA’s mission. 

The challenge of this plan was to create a single vision that integrates non-traditional strategies 

with existing programs while taking into account traditional performance measures. The 

challenge was met by a focus on the economic competitiveness and business development in 

Louisiana and its communities. 
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The results, so far, have been significant. When this effort began a few years ago, Louisiana had 

never placed in the Top 10 in any national ranking of state business climates; now, we score in 

the Top 10 in all of them. Louisiana’s private-sector job growth during that time has 

outperformed the South and the United States overall, with the state ranking No. 2 in the South 

and No. 11 in the nation in that regard during the period. In 2015 alone, Louisiana announced 

dozens of new company expansion and relocation projects that are projected to result in more 

than 25,000 new jobs and more than $19 billion in new capital investment, along with hundreds 

of millions in new sales for small businesses across the state. 

And yet, there is much more to be done to improve and sustain our economic competitiveness. 

We must redouble our efforts to improve opportunities for small businesses. We should 

strengthen initiatives to help existing employers grow, while stepping up efforts to site emerging 

business opportunities in Louisiana from key investors from near and far. We must continue to 

encourage investors to recognize Louisiana as the new frontier for business opportunity. 

Committing to a shared vision, one embraced not only by Louisiana, but also the DRA, its 

member states and their communities, is essential. However, it is not enough. Louisiana feels it 

is increasingly obvious to all economic development agencies that a healthy and educated 

workforce is a precondition of overall economic competitiveness. Therefore, the most critical 

question is how the plan addresses the most critical question: “How can Louisiana’s workforce be 

retained?” 

Louisiana’s goals and strategies presented here are built on the above foundation. Louisiana will 

support its communities that commit to quality of place that establish themselves as a magnet for 

talent. 

Louisiana cannot focus its efforts while 

simultaneously retaining a broad programmatic 

approach. Louisiana feels the only realistic approach 

is to align its programs towards a common objective. 

That objective is the economic competitiveness and 

business development in Louisiana and its 

communities. 

The need for economic competitiveness and business development does not require extensive 

documentation and is the watchword of every business in Louisiana. To make this the focus of 

this strategic plan, however, is to recognize that the myriad of issues facing citizens throughout 

Louisiana will require cooperative efforts from a multitude of partners, including DRA. It means 

that health, information technology, and transportation are part of a common challenge, not goals 

themselves. It is equally important to Louisiana that economic competitiveness and business 

development meet the performance measures set for the state and provide specific direction for 

all of Louisiana’s programs. Louisiana hopes that the approach presented in this plan will serve as 

a template for the parish and communities’ plans and their programs directed toward distressed 

rural areas in general. 
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THE CHALLENGE FOR LOUISIANA 

The economic challenges facing Louisiana are serious. Falling oil prices have affected the 

exploration, production and oilfield services sectors in Louisiana, and onshore drilling and 

oilfield services companies have been particularly hard hit. What’s more, the downturn in oil 

prices has had a direct impact on state revenues, even though recent diversification of 

Louisiana’s economy into some non-traditional sectors has offset to some extent the impact of 

this situation, leaving Louisiana less impacted by the downturn than most other “energy states.” 

Louisiana has previously adhered to economic models that were based on conditions that have 

changed substantially. These changes require new approaches. Louisiana has redirected its 

vision toward the challenge of keeping its residents with marketable skills as productive citizens 

in the state. 

SECTION B: GOVERNOR AND STATE’S GOALS, PRIORITIES AND PROGRAMS 

Louisiana recognizes the Delta Regional Authority’s highly successful federal grant program 

and intends to build upon the base provided by the DRA. The State’s Investment Strategy will 

also be organized around the DRA philosophy of building critical mass within its Delta 

communities. 

1. Health as an economic engine. 

Louisiana will support the “Healthy Delta” campaign and other employer-based disease 

prevention, education, and screening initiatives. The Louisiana Delta has some of the least 

healthy populations in the country, respectively ranking 49th in the United States in terms of 

population health status. By partnering with the Delta Regional Authority’s Healthy Delta 

campaign, we can increase the prevention and care and reduce health disparities in this region. 

2. Workforce Education and Leadership. 

Louisiana will focus on training and education to prepare the state’s workforce and future 

generations to create, attract, and grow business opportunities here in Louisiana. We will utilize 

programs like LED’s FastStart program to cultivate access to career and technical college 

curricula that fit the needs of new and growing industries so that Louisianans have the skills they 

need to fill Louisiana-based jobs. 

3. Transportation. 

Louisiana will place priority on the “Delta Development Highway System”. 

4. Traditional localized projects. 

Louisiana will follow the priorities of the DRA regarding basic physical infrastructure projects, 

transportation projects, workforce training, and business development projects. Louisiana will 

make every effort to provide matching funds, wherever possible, in support of these projects. 

Louisiana will also utilize DRA and other federal agencies in coordinated projects. The majority 

of Louisiana’s DRA parishes are considered to be “distressed counties.” Since DRA is mandated 

to spend 75 percent of its total funds in “distressed counties,” the statistical makeup of Louisiana 

parishes will maximize the impact of DRA funds. 
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5. Information Technology. 

Louisiana will pursue implementation of the iDelta plan and the goals of the Louisiana Delta 

Initiatives Program created by Act 347 of the 2007 Louisiana Legislature. These initiatives are 

designed to bring broadband to all of the DRA parishes in Louisiana. 

COORDINATION WITH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS 

In Louisiana, State Planning Development Districts are referred to as Local Development 

Districts. Local Development Districts (LDDs) are regional planning councils that are 

recognized and administratively funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) 

and regional development authorities, such as the DRA. The purpose of the LDDs is to address 

economic development and quality of life issues on a multi-jurisdictional basis. Of the 45 

established LDDs in the DRA region, eight (8) of them are in Louisiana and have governing 

boards made up of appointed representatives of local communities and state government. 
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As part of DRA, Louisiana relies heavily on the LDDs as its regional frontline partner in 

economic development, particularly in the delivery of its federal grant program. Both the DRA 

and Louisiana have found that the LDD delivery system can provide an effective mechanism for 

transforming the DRA region’s economic vitality. The LDDs promote DRA programs and 

provide technical assistance to grant applicants. Accordingly, the LDDs are responsible for 

ensuring the suitability, completeness, and quality of grant applications, and sign their own 

federal grant application agreeing to do so for compensation. It is, therefore, critical that the 

regional economic development strategic plans of the LDDs also reflect Louisiana’s and the 

DRA’s investment priorities. Under federal law, each DRA member state is required to submit 

a development plan that corresponds to the 2002 DRA Comprehensive Action Plan. 

Each LDD provided their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) and 

allowed the use of them in establishing this five-year plan for Louisiana. Their CEDS 

documents can be found by clicking on the logo of the respective LDD or by visiting 

www.lapdd.org. 

LOCAL PARTNERS 

Louisiana must work in concert with its local partners in order to promote sustainable 

community and economic growth in Louisiana. This strategic plan has identified the primary 

factors driving job growth. It is up to local and regional partners to identify and implement 

some of the specific programs that address these issues. Partners include state and regional 

municipal associations; state and regional parish associations; regional economic development 

groups; local chambers of commerce; and local governments. Key to this process are the eight 

(8) LDDs; eight (8) small business development centers; and the eight economic development 

organizations that make up the Louisiana Economic Alliance. All of these organizations 

promote the DRA federal grant program in Louisiana to local and regional organizations. 

Louisiana will work with all of these local partners to incorporate the components of economic 

competitiveness and business development in Louisiana and its communities. 

The Coordinating and 

Development Corporation 
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ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 

All strategic plans face difficulties and obvious hurdles to implementation. Louisiana’s goal is 

that this plan will be unfettered by these concerns. As a consequence, it bears addressing what 

this plan does not propose to do. Each of the points below is held by strong constituencies and 

must be taken seriously. 

 

• The plan does not recommend industrial recruitment as the sole solution to 

unemployment. 

 Industrial recruitment has been a long-time traditional course of action to 

solve unemployment. Louisiana’s Economic Alliance EDO’s assist the State in 

dealing with prospects within the eight regions. Even though industrial 

recruitment has had some success, changing economic models are being 

developed and require new directions. Therefore, communities must address 

their economic competitiveness and business development to solve unemployment. 

• The plan does not assume that training workers, or advancing leadership, can ensure that 

the talented young people of Louisiana will remain in their communities.

It is a fact, historically ignored by workforce training organizations, that 

workforce development and training must be reformed to motivate individuals to 

acquire skills and education in order to remain in their communities’ workforce. 

• The plan does not recommend actions that compromise the efforts of organizations 

already operating in Louisiana. 

The DRA is not the only federal or state agency investing in Louisiana. 

From health to transportation, from technology to education, from housing to 

economic development, federal and state agencies continue to spend heavily in 

Louisiana. 

• While the plan narrows the focus of Louisiana, it respects the importance of continuity 

and support for existing initiatives. 

Louisiana has a constituency whose needs must be recognized and understood. 

The success of DRA in Louisiana will continue to lie along two paths: creative approaches 

and cooperative planning. 

Finally, this five-year plan further recognizes that while poverty is not unique to Louisiana, the 

mix of historical economic factors pose enormous burdens. These burdens, however, cannot be 

resolved by any governmental agency in Louisiana. The resolution requires private 

investments and individual initiative.
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SUMMARY OF INITIATIVES

In addition to the Goals and Strategies set forth in this document, and the individual 

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) provided and prepared by the 

individual LDD’s, The Governor’s Office has provided, as Appendix A, his more general Goals 

and Priorities for Louisiana. Appendix B is the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) FiveYear Strategic Plan which was vital in the development of the initiatives, objectives and 

strategies for this five-year plan. 
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SECTION C: ALIGNMENT OF GOVERNOR’S PRIORITIES WITH DRA AND 

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 

DRA Goal 1: Workforce Competitiveness

Advance the productivity and economic competitiveness of the Delta workforce. 

Focus Areas: 

• Workforce training and hard skills 

• Soft skill and employability 

• Health and wellness 

Key Considerations: 

• Fill available jobs with available workers 

• Leverage the Delta region’s higher education institutions 

• Prioritize investments for workforce training in growing industries and 

occupational categories

Objective 1.1: Work with other regional partners to improve the employability and productivity 

of Louisiana Delta residents. 

1.1.1: Louisiana’s Local Development Districts will work with DRA to address employability 

and productivity issues on a multi-jurisdictional basis. 

1.1.2: Louisiana’s investment strategy will mirror that of the DRA philosophy of building 

critical mass within its Delta parishes. 

1.1.3: Louisiana will collaborate with workforce 

development organizations (such as Local 

Workforce Development Boards 

(LWDB’s)), employers, and other key 

partners (e.g., universities, community/ 

technical colleges, and adult education 

providers) to improve the workforce 

development system and to properly match 

programs of study with regional demands. 

 

 For more info, visit

http://www.workreadycommunities.org/LA

**Refer to Section D for more information on these model spotlights.

**The CENLA Work Ready Network is a 

two-pronged system designed to link 

education and workforce development 

efforts and aligns them with regional 

economic need.
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Objective 1.2: Strengthen workforce and professional skills programs. 

1.2.1: Improve the workforce readiness of the region’s K-12 students and 

adult population by increasing the number of internships, work co-op 

programs, and other initiatives, with a focus on soft skills and 

employability. Example resources 

include Louisiana Jump Start and 

WorkKeys. 

1.2.2: Support efforts to connect employers with educational providers for curriculum 

developments to ensure that students are receiving skills that will lead to employment 

opportunities. Engage secondary and higher education to develop soft skills among 

students and reinforce to graduates the value of cultivating soft skills for the job market.

1.2.3: Utilize the online knowledge base of information on future employment opportunities 

aimed at educating parents, students and teachers about career options in the Delta 

region. www.laworks.net

1.2.4: Develop and promote an online labor market information system that will provide 

information on training opportunities, available employment opportunities, job growth 

and demand projections, and economic wage data. 

1.2.5: Enhance the scorecard component of Louisiana Occupational Information System by 

communicating with training providers and/or government entities to encourage 

participation in the scorecard system. 

1.2.6: Align workforce training programs with local, regional and state industry cluster 

development programs. 

1.2.7: Establish and promote collaboration between industry groups, training providers and 

EDOs. 

1.2.8: Provide supportive services to businesses and job seekers through a network of workforce 

centers throughout the Delta parishes in order to develop a diversified skilled workforce 

with access to better paying jobs. 

**Refer to Section D for more information on these model spotlights.

**Jump Start is Louisiana’s innovative career and technical education (CTE) 

program that prepares students to lead productive adult lives, capable of 

continuing their education after high school while earning certifications in highwage careers. (It’s an elective path for students pursuing a university-preparatory 

diploma.) 

**ACT WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system that helps employers select,
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1.2.9: Provide basic skill programs in the public school system and promote specific 

competitive requirements. 

1.2.10: Create awareness of both financial and social/cultural opportunities in Delta 

communities to attract investment from outside of the region. 

1.2.10.1: Encourage the region’s college and university alumni 

networks to push out content (through social media 

outlets such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter) 

informing alumni who live in other areas about the 

professional opportunities and great quality of life 

available in Delta communities. 

Objective 1.3: Improve the health of the workforce within the Louisiana Delta parishes. 

1.3.1: Louisiana will support the improvement of rural healthcare services utilizing Rural 

Health Clinics, mobile healthcare providers, and development of telemedicine facilities 

and services in conjunction with local hospital facilities and Federally Qualified Health 

Centers. This strategy will help to provide more primary health services throughout the 

Delta parishes. 

1.3.2: Promote and develop mechanisms to provide programs that educate and train health care 

professionals that will remain in the DRA region. 

1.3.3: Support programs to prevent teen pregnancy. 

1.3.4: Support programs to strengthen prenatal and neonatal healthcare, including the provision 

of such services in rural areas. 

1.3.5: Partner with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as tertiary care facilities, to support 

programs aimed at providing health care access to disadvantaged populations, with an 

emphasis on regional delivery of care. Expand outreach and enrollment efforts to boost 

awareness of health care options under the Affordable Care Act. 

**Refer to Section D for more information on these model spotlights.

**Click pictures to go to website

Promotion of direct primary care 

programs for the uninsured. 

Group contracting for transient 

provider services. Petition 

Department of Health and 

Hospitals to review Medicaid 

**New Beginnings – A Wellness Center and Spa 

A Traditional Family Medicine Practice that 

incorporates monthly memberships as well as 

serving patients with health insurance.
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DRA Goal 2: Infrastructure

Strengthen the Delta’s physical, digital, and capital connections to the global economy. 

Focus areas: 

• Basic infrastructure (water, wastewater, electricity, and gas) 

• Transportation infrastructure (highways, rail, water-based transport, and air travel) 

• Digital infrastructure (broadband internet, cellular, and satellite access) 

• Capital access 

Key Considerations: 

• Emphasize infrastructure investments that will attract large-scale private investment 

• Understanding the barriers to broadband internet access, especially in rural areas 

• Take advantage of the Mississippi River and tributaries for goods movement 

• Create linkages to capital markets

Objective 2.1: Build and strengthen the region’s basic infrastructure (water, wastewater, 

electricity, and gas) to stimulate job growth and capital investment. 

2.1.1: Louisiana and its partners will continue to support the construction and extension of basic 

infrastructure and services in rural areas which show the potential to augment nearby 

growth areas. 

2.1.2: Louisiana will use state, federal, local and private investment to develop and improve 

water and wastewater systems in distressed parishes in the DRA region. Louisiana will 

continue to support funding of projects where health and safety is in question. 

2.1.3: The state will continue to support the construction of “the last mile” infrastructure and 

transportation linkages to local economic development assets. 

2.1.4: Louisiana will give priority to projects that serve areas with documented health problems 

and will coordinate with all state and federal agencies, such as CDBG, USDA and DEQ 

to resolve these problems. 

2.1.5: Support the development and construction of strategic community facilities that will 

enhance opportunities for job creation and retention. 

2.1.6: The state will encourage the formation of regionally coordinated public transportation 

systems. 

2.1.7: Louisiana will support the concept of walk-able neighborhoods and communities; 

including sidewalks, jogging trails and bike paths. 

2.1.8: Expand the region’s energy infrastructure and production capacity and support the 

expansion of clean technologies (e.g. biofuels, wind and solar). 

2.1.9: Louisiana will support planning and policies that increase the Delta’s capacity to 

produce, transport and refine energy resources. 
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2.1.10: Louisiana will work with funding sources such as USDA, DRA and others to provide 

funds for alternative fuel development and production. 

Objective 2.2: Make strategic investments in the region’s transportation infrastructure 

(highways, rail, water-based transport, and air travel) to support the growth of key industries. 

2.2.1: Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development will work with DRA, the 

Federal Highway Administration & the Federal Transportation Administration to 

prioritize and seek funding for the planning and construction of the major corridors of the 

Delta Development Highway System. 

2.2.2: Incorporate transportation improvements into its top regional economic development 

assets where they are located within the DRA designated parishes. 

2.2.3: Build capacity with local partners to help identify the critical transportation requirements 

in rural parishes by creating and utilizing Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs), and by 

enlisting the assistance of Louisiana’s eight Regional Planning and Development 

Districts/LDDs. 

2.2.4: Facilitate economic and community development in the rural areas of the region by 

providing technical assistance and pursuing national initiatives in rural transportation. 

2.2.5: Support the DRA multi-modal transportation plan. 

2.2.6: Continue to support infrastructure improvements at area ports and airports, and support 

grants and initiatives that consider the regional intermodal transportation network (trucks, 

passenger cars, rail, pipelines) for the movement of freight and passenger vehicles when 

planning new transportation projects. 

2.2.7: Support the effort to expand additional rail lines throughout the Louisiana Delta Region, 

work with state and federal officials to provide incentives to railroads for spurs and offline to service industrial parks, ports and commercial users, and analyze potential 

industrial sites to develop rail spurs, with priority on sites that serve multiple industries.. 

2.2.8: Support the development of passenger rail system between Louisiana’s metropolitan 

hubs. For example, Baton Rouge to New Orleans and Gulf Coast (MS, AL and FL) to 

Houston, etc. 

Objective 2.3: Expand and improve access to affordable digital infrastructure (broadband 

Internet, cellular, and satellite access) across the region, especially in areas where it is 

currently deficient. 

2.3.1: Support local and state efforts to improve broadband infrastructure where it exists and to 

create it where it does not exist (and is needed most) across the region’s urban and rural 

communities. 
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2.3.2: Work with major telecomm and broadband providers in the Delta region to better 

understand and communicate the challenges and opportunities associated with improving 

digital infrastructure, especially in rural areas. 

2.3.3: Opportunity to seek Federal Funding and other grant opportunities to support broadband 

infrastructure improvements. Encourage DRA to identify and engage corporate & 

philanthropic opportunities in which local jurisdictions could participate. 

2.3.4: Louisiana LDD’s will cooperate with DRA to implement GIS systems. These systems 

will be compatible and used in planning and economic development activities in 

Louisiana. Encourage partnering with entities through the region to develop a 

comprehensive mapping system. 

2.3.5: Louisiana will utilize local and regional career and business solutions centers to improve 

workforce development by providing access for all adults and enrolled youth to training in 

computer literacy, workforce skills, resume’ writing and business practices relating to ecommerce. 

2.3.6: Encourage efforts to link new and existing telecommunication networks to service the 

health and education needs, especially in rural areas.

2.3.7: Utilize and enhance existing State incentive programs to encourage growth in the digital 

economy 

2.3.8: Promote innovation and diversification within local and regional economies. 

2.3.9: Louisiana will develop a robust state strategy to capitalize on local and regional efforts to 

recruit and retain companies which employ advanced processes and technologies. 

2.3.10: Louisiana will assist existing business in adopting new technologies and processes. 

**Refer to Section D for more information on these model spotlights.

**The primary goals of the GIS Commission is to set parameters 

for each of the member agencies to use in the development of 

various applications required by the individual agencies to perform 

their defined tasks more efficiently. 
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Vidalia’s Broadband Initiative 

Moves Forward:

**Vidalia joins the growing list of 

communities with plans to offer free 

Wi-Fi. The City has cultivated 

several grant sources and is piecing 

together the funds needed to proceed 

with its estimated $9 million fiber 

2.3.11: LA will encourage the development and use of broadband infrastructure. 

Objective 2.4: Support state and local economic development organizations and local 

development districts in their efforts to put in place deal-ready sites for business recruitment and 

expansion projects. 

2.4.1: Work with LED to identify, certify and promote industrial sites with multi-modal 

opportunities. 

2.4.2: Work with local communities to help them identify properties to be promoted as 

industrial sites. 

2.4.3: Encourage communities to have their industrial parks/sites recognized as Certified Sites 

by LED. 

2.4.4: Utilize Louisiana’s cost-sharing program to certify sites. 

**Refer to Section D for more information on these model spotlights.

**A Louisiana Economic Development Certified Site

is a development-ready industrial site that has 

completed a rigorous review process by Louisiana 

Economic Development and URS, an independent, 

third-party engineering firm. Louisiana Economic 

Development Certified Sites are identified in the 

Louisiana Site Selection Center by a special notation 

and logo.
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Objective 2.5: Improve capital access throughout the Louisiana Delta and advance 

infrastructure capacity especially in non-urban areas where it is lacking most. 

2.5.1: Louisiana will work with America’s Small Business Development Center (ASBDC) and 

its partners to support entrepreneur education and training. 

2.5.2: Louisiana will support collaborative efforts to bring together entrepreneurs, potential 

investors, and service providers. 

2.5.3: Louisiana will promote the use of venture capital to assist entrepreneurs. 

2.5.4: Louisiana will support programs that teach youth entrepreneurship. 

**Refer to Section D for more information on these model spotlights.

SPARKFEST, a two-day event focused on providing resources 

and information to area entrepreneurs. Tailored to area high 

schoolers currently enrolled in career and technical training as 

part of Jump Start curriculums, a career pathway designed to 

equip area high school students with work-ready skills. Sessions 

are designed to provide a practical look at the process of starting 

and operating a business across some of the area’s key industries 

such as welding, plumbing, electrical, personal services and 
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**The introduction of the Community 

Competitiveness Initiative (CCI) is designed 

to enhance community competitiveness by 

focusing on economic development capacity 

and readiness at local levels. It provides 

community leaders with clear direction on 

specific resources needed to foster 

successful economic development while 

increasing collaboration between municipal, 

parish, regional and state economic 

development practitioners. 

DRA Goal 3: Community Competitiveness 

Facilitate local capacity building within Delta communities, organizations, businesses and 

individuals 

Focus Areas: 

• Capacity Building 

• Advance Entrepreneurship 

• Consider Quality of Place 

Key Considerations: 

• Grow Talented and Innovative People 

• Create Revitalized, Healthy and Resilient Communities 

• Identify, Market and Build on each Region’s unique advantages

Objective 3.1: Develop new strategic initiatives and continue existing programs that support 

and build capacity in Louisiana communities. 

3.1.1: Promote the toolkit of economic and 

community programs and resources 

residing at 

www.LouisianaCommunityNetwork.org. 

3.1.2: Promote the Louisiana Development 

Ready Communities (LDRC) planning 

initiative for municipalities.

3.1.3: Encourage parishes to improve their 

capacity and competitiveness for 

economic development investment 

through use of the Community 

Competitiveness Initiative (CCI) program.

3.1.4: Encourage local community leaders to use 

tools, similar to the aforementioned, to 

better plan for and understand the 

challenges and opportunities facing their 

communities. 

3.1.5: Promote strong leadership at the state and local levels through leadership programs such 

as the Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA), Louisiana Industrial Development 

Executives Association (LIDEA), LSU and Southern Ag Extension Services, and the 

Delta Regional Authority’s Leadership Institute. 

**Refer to Section D for more information on these model spotlights.
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**The LA BEOC is Louisiana’s first 

emergency operations center dedicated 

to disaster preparedness, response and 

recovery for businesses. Serving as an 

annex of the state’s Emergency 

Operations Center, the LA BEOC 

facilitates communication with the 

state’s major economic driver 

industries, as well as owners and 

operators of critical infrastructures and 

key resources, to enhance Louisiana’s 

emergency management efforts. The 

result is a more resilient Louisiana.

3.1.6: Utilize the clearinghouse of all Louisiana state wide, regional and local leadership 

programs. http://www.scpdc.org/wp-content/uploads/Louisiana-Leadership-Programs.pdf 

3.1.7: Coordinate efforts between local government, non-profit entities, economic development 

organizations, community foundation groups and industry in order to cultivate effective 

partnerships. Encourage and support the formation of community foundations where 

they are not present. 

3.1.8: Promote business retention and expansion programs under the leadership of Louisiana 

Economic Development, regional economic development organizations and the local 

development districts. 

3.1.9: Identify and promote educational opportunities for elected officials regarding economic 

development and public finance. 

Objective 3.2: Enhance programs and investments to advance entrepreneurship and highgrowth business development, ensuring the unique innovation assets within Louisiana are 

leveraged to benefit all areas of the state.

3.2.1: Expand and promote entities and local initiatives such as the Delta Entrepreneurship 

Network, America’s Small Business Development Centers, the Louisiana Business 

Incubation Association and the Idea Village in New Orleans. 

3.2.2: Encourage local planning districts and regional economic development organizations to 

partner to create entrepreneurship support networks around the state. 

3.2.3: Continue and expand training programs and 

resources that build understanding and 

awareness of economic resiliency and disaster 

recovery for business, government and 

education. Use the lessons learned from 

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as models for 

disaster recovery efforts. 

3.2.4: Coordinate Regional and Community 

Resilience Initiatives to best ensure that they 

allow for the resumption of commerce to assist 

communities after natural and man-made 

disasters. An example being Uniform re-entry 

policies that allow essential personnel and key 

business workers to cross neighboring parishes 

 to support recovery. 

http://www.labeoc.org/labeoc/welcome.aspx

**Refer to Section D for more information on these model spotlights.
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**South Central Planning provides building code 

enforcement for region covering five parishes and 

five municipalities providing consistent, prompt 

and affordable plan reviews and inspections for 

all of our member jurisdictions.

3.2.5: Promote the DRA’s Leading Economically Competitive and Resilient workshops. 

Encourage attendance by small businesses and entrepreneurs. 

3.2.6: Improve access and awareness about procurement opportunities in the private and public 

sectors, especially those offered by State of Louisiana departments and agencies that 

provide set asides for certified small businesses. 

3.2.7: Promote use of the Small and Emerging Business Development Program (SEBD) 

provided by Louisiana Economic Development. Other resources available at that website 

for small businesses and entrepreneurs include, but not limited to, the Economic 

Gardening and CEO Roundtables programs. For more information: 

www.OpportunityLouisiana.com/SEBD

3.2.8: Encourage local governments to adopt policies that support entrepreneurship and 

innovation. 

3.2.9: Encourage Louisiana planning and development districts to partner with each other to 

create entrepreneurship support networks providing incubator space, access to early stage 

financing and seminars to support small business and entrepreneurs. 

3.2.10: Support the workforce training efforts of the Louisiana’s Workforce Development Board 

(LWDB) as guided by the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA). 

 

Objective 3.3: Quality of Place is a major factor considered by businesses and economic site 

selection consultants on where to expand or locate a business. Providing an attractive 

environment that appeals to professionals is critical for economic development. 

3.3.1: Explore ways to improve the fiscal capacity of local governments and their communities 

to make Louisiana financially attractive for economic development and to enhance 

quality of life and place. 

3.3.2: Promote the use and enforcement of uniform building and development codes and 

standard zoning codes to encourage economic development. 

**Refer to Section D for more information on these model spotlights.
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**Rather than sit back and allow Jena to simply absorb the blow from the 

proposed highway construction, former Mayor McMillin sought out help from 

CPEX to positively shape the impacts of the coming investment. Guided by 

the town’s planning goals, CPEX and a consultant team led by Austin-based 

Code Studio drafted a plan to allow Jena’s community to grow while 

maintaining its small town rural character. This would mean protecting and 

improving downtown while not being a hindrance on Hwy 84 capacity

3.3.3: Promote and encourage the replication of successful downtown revitalization efforts and 

other place-making initiatives such as the Louisiana Main Street program administered 

by the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

3.3.4: Promote tourism as a means to grow small businesses such as artistic endeavors, 

restaurants, fairs, festivals, cultural assets, sightseeing and add Agri– and Eco–Tourism.

3.3.5: Work with local and state entities to better connect tourism-based events & festivals to 

enhance innovation and entrepreneurship. Develop local travel within the state to 

discover Louisiana’s rich cultural wealth. 

3.3.6: Market the natural, historical, and human resources for enriched cultural experiences and 

knowledge of Louisiana’s rich assets. 

3.3.7: Promote the awareness of environmental sensitivity, sound environmental practices and 

effective environmental stewardship in all activities. 

3.3.8: Encourage the development of blighted and adjudicated properties and consistent land 

use patterns between jurisdictions. 

**Refer to Section D for more information on these model spotlights.

**Click picture to go to website 
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SECTION D: STATE RESOURCES: BEST PRACTICES, TOOLS AND MODELS FOR 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Examples of Louisiana based programs*)

The Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA) is an 

organization which consists of the economic development entities from the parishes (counties) of 

Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and 

Winn. 

The mission of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance is to help people prosper 

in vibrant, thriving communities.

CLEDA accomplishes this mission by:

• Keeping current data on Central Louisiana parishes 

• Marketing the region to a national audience through publications and website 

• Working with expert consultants to provide educational opportunities to our members and 

information to potential industrial prospects 

• Actively promoting industrial locations within the region and maintaining a web based 

inventory of potential sites 

• Continuously communicating with existing businesses to maximize our business expansion 

and retention efforts 

Contact Us 

Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance

P.O. Box 465 

Alexandria, Louisiana 71309 

900 Fourth Street, Suite 300 

Alexandria, Louisiana 71301 

ph: (318) 441-3400 

 
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Jump Start is Louisiana’s innovative career and technical education (CTE) program. Jump 

Start prepares students to lead productive adult lives, capable of continuing their education after 

high school while earning certifications in high-wage career sectors. Students are required to 

attain industry-promulgated, industry-valued credentials in order to graduate with a Career 

Diploma. (Jump Start is an elective path for students pursuing a university-preparatory 

diploma.) 

 

Regional teams – partnerships among K-12 and post-secondary educators, industry leaders and 

experts in workforce development and economic development – lead the local implementation of 

Jump Start, creating graduation pathways and collaborating to provide workplace experiences for 

students and teachers. Schools receive the same accountability grade credit for preparing 

students for careers in high-demand job sectors as they do for students who achieve top academic 

honors. 

All the resources necessary for high schools and regional teams to implement Jump Start 

effectively can be found through the hyperlink (Page 12). 

Contact Us 

Louisiana Department of Education

1201 North Third Street 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802-5243 

Toll-Free 1-(877)-453-2721 fax: (225) 342-0193

ACT WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system that helps employers select, hire, train, 

develop, and retain a high-performance workforce. This series of tests measures foundational and 

soft skills and offers specialized assessments to target institutional needs. 

As part of ACT's Work Readiness System, ACT WorkKeys has helped millions of people in 

high schools, colleges, professional associations, businesses, and government agencies build 

their skills to increase global competitiveness and develop successful career pathways. 

Successful completion of ACT WorkKeys assessments in Applied Mathematics, Locating 

Information, and Reading for Information can lead to earning ACT's National Career Readiness 

Certificate (ACT NCRC), a portable credential earned by more than 2.3 million people across the 

United States. *WorkKeys is not a Louisiana based program
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Louisiana Job Connection makes job recruitment easier by reducing time spent 

reviewing stacks of résumés and connecting Louisiana workers with only qualified candidates. 

Their innovative system delivers relevant matches with Louisiana jobs based on workers’ 

employment needs, skills and experience. 

Postings entered into the system are analyzed through a sophisticated, thirteen-point matching 

algorithm, and after the matching engine examines content, connections are made instantly. 

Louisiana Job Connection was programmed to adapt intelligently to data input. In other words, 

their technology is so efficient because the system is always improving, and it eliminates the 

need for incessant searches, connecting job seekers and employers instantly. 

Come Home, Louisiana is another online source for posting résumés and connecting to 

local Louisiana jobs. Leading companies are growing and hiring in Louisiana and thousands of 

jobs are available in a variety of industries. 

The site also works heavily in conjunction with Louisiana Job Connection. 
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The mission of the Department of Health and Hospitals is to protect and promote 

health and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all citizens of 

the State of Louisiana. 

 

The DHH is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through direct provision of quality services, the 

development and stimulation of services of others, and the utilization of available resources in 

the most effective manner 

Contact Us 

Department of Health and Hospitals

P.O. Box 629 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-0629 

628 North Fourth Street 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 

ph: (225) 342-9500 fax: (225) 342-5568 

New Beginnings – Wellness Center and Spa is a Traditional Family Medicine 

Practice that incorporates monthly memberships as well as serving patients with health insurance 

and currently accepts Blue Cross of Louisiana, Cigna, United Healthcare, Tricare, Gilsbar and 

Medicare. 

They offer several spa-related services (e.g. facials, waxing, massages, etc.), products (e.g. 

Botox, Juvederm, Jewelry, etc.), and other services (e.g. Diabetes education, nutrition counseling 

and therapy, cholesterol/glucose analysis, etc.). 

Contact Us 

New Beginnings—Wellness Center and Spa 

927 North Trenton Street 

Ruston, Louisiana 71270 

ph: (318) 255-1155 fax: (318) 255-3181 
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The Lincoln Parish Geographic Information System Commission is a 

Cooperative Endeavor by eight local governmental agencies, consisting of the City of Ruston, 

the Lincoln Parish Assessor, the Lincoln Parish Police Jury, the Lincoln Parish Communications 

District, the Lincoln Parish Fire Protection District #1, the Lincoln Parish Sheriff, the Lincoln 

Parish Clerk of Court, and the Lincoln Parish School Board. The Commission is striving to 

develop a system of communication and data sharing between the member agencies to aid in the 

reduction/elimination of redundant data and work efforts. 

 

The primary goal of the Commission is to set parameters for 

each of the member agencies to use in the development of 

various applications required by the individual agencies to 

perform their defined tasks more efficiently. A secondary goal 

of the Commission is to develop a means of making public 

information more readily available to the public through the 

use of technology. A more complete description of the 

Commission’s purpose can be found in the Cooperative 

Endeavor Agreement signed by each of the member agencies 

and filed in the Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court's Office. 

The Lincoln Parish GIS Commission also offers color printing of maps (pricing varies on size of 

printout) of desired areas in Lincoln Parish, and Building Permits (pricing varies according to 

building specifications—see website for details). 

Contact Us 

Lincoln Parish GIS District 

P.O. Box 1660 

Ruston, Louisiana 71273 

107 West Texas Street 

Ruston, Louisiana 71270 

ph: (318) 513-6450 fax: (318) 232-1126 
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Vidalia’s Broadband Initiative 

Vidalia, home to 4,300 residents, hoped to use funds from a 2010 

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant to build a 

fiber network. Unfortunately for the entire state, the grant was revoked 

due to Governor Jindal's plans for the funds. Vidalia then sought funding 

from other sources. 

Even though federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to Louisiana 

were pulled back, Vidalia decided to press on with its broadband plans. The City has since 

cultivated several grant sources and is piecing together the funds needed to proceed with its 

estimated $9 million fiber network. 

It was recently reported that the City has launched its free Wi-Fi in its new municipal complex 

using a $30,000 grant from the Telecommunications Development Fund (TDF) Foundation. The 

service covers 77 acres that encompassing the Vidalia municipal complex, which includes City 

Hall, the Vidalia Police and Fire Departments, and recreation fields used by Concordia 

Recreation District #3. 

As an upgrade to the city-owned utility system, Vidalia will be able to connect every customer to 

fiber infrastructure creating a smart-grid system. This upgrade will allow the City to read meters 

remotely from City Hall and will allow customers to monitor and manage their daily utility 

usage. This publicly owned fiber infrastructure can be leased out to private Internet providers to 

offer up to 1 GB to every residential customer and up to 10 GB to every commercial customer. 

Also, Vidalia received a grant from EDA to be used for additional infrastructure as well as for 

the construction of a new technology center to house the equipment for the City’s new system 

and for a technology driven business incubator. 

Contact Us 

City of Vidalia, Louisiana Municipal Complex 

200 Vernon Stevens Blvd. 

Vidalia, Louisiana 71373 

ph: (318) 336-5206 

For more information visit: www.cityofvidalia.com
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LED Certified Cites Program 

Louisiana Economic Development is responsible 

for strengthening the state's business environment 

and creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy. 

LED has instituted a Certified Sites Program to 

identify development-ready industrial sites. 

LED is assisting communities throughout Louisiana 

to identify and certify industrial sites as 

development-ready. Communities can propose a 

certified site to their clients confident of the site's 

availability and suitability. Certified sites offer the 

additional advantage of ensuring that the client’s 

construction is more likely to remain on schedule. 

What is a Louisiana Economic Development Certified Site? 

A Louisiana Economic Development Certified Site is a developmentready industrial site that has completed a rigorous review process by 

Louisiana Economic Development and URS, an independent, thirdparty engineering firm. Specific site details, such as zoning restrictions, 

title work, environmental studies, soil analysis and surveys, are 

assessed for compliance and authenticity. Louisiana Economic 

Development Certified Sites are identified in the Louisiana Site 

Selection Center by a special notation and logo. 

Advantages of LED Certified Sites: 

• Development ready 

• Substantial due diligence completed 

• Significant site information gathered and documented 

• Independent third-party engineering review 

• Uncertainty and potential obstacles eliminated through enhanced site knowledge 

• More competitive 

• Greater marketability 

• Granted priority in site proposals 

Contact Us 

Louisiana Economic Development 

1051 North Third Street 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802-5239 

Toll Free (800) 450-8115 ph: (225) 342-3000 
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LED Community Competitiveness Initiative 

The introduction of the Community Competitiveness 

Initiative (CCI) is designed to enhance community 

competitiveness by focusing on economic 

development capacity and readiness at local levels. 

The initiative raises awareness of the processes of 

economic development and the necessary factors to 

achieve success. It provides community leaders with 

clear direction on specific resources needed to foster 

successful economic development while increasing 

collaboration between municipal, parish, regional and 

state economic development practitioners. 

Sixteen indicators can gauge the economic development readiness of each community. These 

indicators were identified using economic development best practices along with input from the 

International Economic Development Council (IEDC). For each indicator, communities can be 

identified by one of three stages of development: emerging, developing or achieving. With this 

information, the initiative can maintain an ongoing understanding of the economic development 

capacity of communities and identify potential improvements. 

The information used to determine the economic development capacity of communities is 

primarily used for planning, allocating resources and developing policies to enhance economic 

development in Louisiana. Not only can this process help communities identify opportunities for 

improvement, but it can also help to determine where LED should focus efforts and resources to 

help strengthen economic development capacity throughout the state. 

Contact Us 

Louisiana Economic Development 

1051 North Third Street 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802-5239 

Toll Free (800) 450-8115 ph: (225) 342-3000
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Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center 

MISSION: The Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center (LA BEOC) is dedicated to 

improving the ability of Louisiana businesses and non-profits to prepare for, respond to, and 

recover from natural and human-caused disasters, and to maintain the stability, resilience and 

economic recovery of their communities.

LA BEOC provides disaster-specific communications from the Governor's Office of Homeland 

Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) to industry associations and almost 2,200 

registered member organizations to coordinate private-sector businesses and nonprofit 

organizations. It connects those who need resources with Louisiana resource providers during 

response and recovery from an emergency or disaster event. 

LA BEOC is open to any Louisiana business or organization, and there is no cost to join. 

The LA BEOC is located in Abdalla Hall at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Research 

Park.

The facility also serves as the alternate State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in the event 

the primary SEOC located in Baton Rouge is incapacitated or unable to activate due to a disaster 

requiring the evacuation of the Baton Rouge area. 

 

Co-located with LA BEOC is the National Incident Management Systems and Advanced 

Technologies Institute (NIMSAT), the UL Lafayette Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the 

Center for Business & Information Technologies (CBIT), the National Science Foundation 

Center for Visual and Decision Informatics (CVDI) and the Informatics Research Institute (IRI). 

LA BEOC also has connectivity to the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative (LONI). 

Contact Us 

Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center 

635 Cajundome Blvd. 

Lafayette, Louisiana 70506 

ph: (337) 482-0600
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SCPDC Building Code Enforcement 

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the 

Louisiana Legislature passed Act 12 which called for 

strict adherence to the International Construction Code. 

South Central Planning provides building code 

enforcement for region covering five parishes and five 

municipalities. The goal of this division is to provide a 

consistent, prompt and affordable plan reviews and 

inspections for all of our member jurisdictions. Through 

an economy of scale approach we have reduced the wait 

time for plan review to an average of three days, and we 

provide same day inspections before 1:00 p.m. With the 

program being revenue neutral and ensuring all 

inspectors are certified in multiple discipline, we are able 

to provide quality service at the lowest price possible.

Contact Us 

P.O. Box 1870 

Gray, Louisiana 70359 

5058 West Main Street 

Houma, Louisiana 70360 

ph: (985) 851-2900 fax: (985) 851-4472 

Center for Planning Excellence 

CPEX helps create highly functional, equitable communities throughout Louisiana that capitalize 

on their unique qualities through community-driven planning and implementation. 

CPEX is a non-profit organization that coordinates urban, rural and regional planning efforts in 

Louisiana. We provide best-practice planning models, innovative policy ideas, and technical 

assistance to individual communities that wish to create and enact master plans dealing with 

transportation and infrastructure needs, environmental issues, and quality design for the built 

environment. CPEX brings community members and leaders together and provides guidance as 

they work toward a shared vision for future growth and development.

Since our founding in 2006, CPEX has been involved with the planning efforts of more than 20 

Louisiana cities, towns and parishes. We have also leveraged more than $5.5 million on behalf of 

communities all over the state. 

Contact Us

Center for Planning Excellence 

100 Lafayette Street 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801 

ph: (225) 267-6300
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Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals 

The Louisiana Association of Fairs and 

Festivals provides a way to improve events by 

promoting them, by educating event 

organizers and to encourage the holding of 

fairs, expositions, festivals, displays and to 

adopt a program to encourage and 

demonstrate agricultural, dairy, livestock, 

industrial, commercial and educational arts, 

exhibits, displays and to assist and encourage 

the advancement of the natural resources, 

material prosperity and progress of the State 

of Louisiana, its parishes, the fairs, festivals, 

jubilees and expositions therein.

Membership in LAFF is open to all fairs, festivals and special events in Louisiana. They 

enhance the quality of life in a community as well as they create an influx of tourism dollars that 

be spent at a local level. These events create a special cooperative spirit through the hard work 

of volunteers and coordinators.

Associate memberships are available to organizations, businesses and individuals who are 

associated with special events in some capacity, such as organizers, food vendors, entertainers, 

etc.

Contact Us 

Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals 

P.O. Box 1738 

Ponchatoula, Louisiana 70454 

Jeff Wright (Secretary of L.A.F.F.) 

secretary@laffnet.org
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APPENDIX A: 

Governor Edwards’ Goals 

for Louisiana
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APPENDIX A: Governor Edwards’ Goals for Louisiana

1. Transparent and Accountable

Government

 

Stabilize our state budget by making 

necessary cuts and responsibly raising 

revenue so that our budget adequately 

funds the services our citizens believes 

state government should deliver; targeting 

and eliminating wasteful spending; 

and responsibly managing and accounting 

for the hard-earned taxpayer dollars.

2. Economic Opportunity

 

Expand innovation, investment and 

opportunity for all Louisianans by 

eliminating roadblocks that stifle 

investment; developing new incentives to 

expand our economy; using our higher 

education institutions to prepare 

Louisiana’s students for tomorrow’s 

economy; and improving our 

transportation system to attract jobs and 

raise our citizens’ quality of life. 

3. Health Care Services

 

Create a sustainable system of quality 

health care that puts Louisiana citizens 

first, taking advantage of federal dollars 

available to help us provide this care here 

in Louisiana, and using every available 

means of assistance from both state 

government and the private sector to 

create the optimal system of care. 

4. Education 

 

Improve education opportunities for 

Louisiana’s children by attracting and 

retaining qualified educators; giving them 

the resources they need in the classroom; 

helping students succeed by preparing 

them for tomorrow’s opportunities; 

helping schools meet effective 

accountability standards; and partnering 

with communities to improve their local 

education options.

Goals for 

Louisiana
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5. Crime and Safety 

Bring security to all Louisiana citizens by 

making it our priority to protect our 

children from violence and sexual 

predators; aggressively pursue ending 

violent crime; giving law 

enforcement and prosecutors the tools they 

need to effectively do their job; and 

effectively lowering the incarceration rate 

for non-violent offenders while keeping 

our communities safe in Louisiana. 

6. Natural Resource Preservation

 

Maintain and protect Louisiana’s 

environment and natural resources for this 

generation and future generations 

through aggressive monitoring and 

active management, using best practices 

while allowing our state’s natural 

resources to be used in a responsible and 

efficient manner.

7. Social Services

Provide important basic life and health 

services for our most vulnerable 

population, while continuing to provide 

practical pathways to education and 

workforce opportunities for all Louisiana 

citizens. 

8. Hurricane Recovery and Emergency

Preparedness

Rebuild our coast and improve our defense 

against future hurricanes by implementing 

a comprehensive coastal protection 

program, helping to make property 

insurance more attainable, affordable and 

reliable, and helping our citizens to better 

prepare for the next natural disaster or 

emergency.

 
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APPENDIX B: 

LED’s 5-Year Strategic Plan 
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APPENDIX B: LED’s 5-Year Strategic Plan 

 
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APPENDIX B 
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APPENDIX B 
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APPENDIX B 
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APPENDIX B 
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APPENDIX B 
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APPENDIX B 
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APPENDIX B 
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APPENDIX B 
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APPENDIX B 
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APPENDIX B 
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APPENDIX B 
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APPENDIX C: 

Louisiana’s Comprehensive 

Economic Development Strategy 
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APPENDIX C: Louisiana’s Comprehensive Economic 

Development Strategy 

 
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APPENDIX C 
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APPENDIX C 
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APPENDIX C 
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APPENDIX C 
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APPENDIX C 
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APPENDIX C 
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APPENDIX C 
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APPENDIX C 
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APPENDIX C 
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APPENDIX D: 

States’ Economic Development 

Assistance Program (SEDAP) 
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APPENDIX D: State’s Economic Development Assistance 

Program (SEDAP) 

States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) 

Strategic investment in the 252 counties and parishes served by the Delta Regional Authority is 

helping to improve the quality of life and boost economic development opportunities. The main 

investment tool used by the Delta Regional Authority is the States’ Economic Development 

Assistance Program (SEDAP), which provides direct investment into community-based and 

regional projects that address the DRA’s congressionally mandated four funding priorities. 

Under federal law, at least 75 percent of DRA funds must be invested in economically distressed 

counties and parishes. Half of these funds are targeted to transportation and basic infrastructure 

improvements. The remaining funds are directed to DRA’s other funding priorities of workforce 

development and business development with a focus on entrepreneurship. 

The DRA works closely with the 44 Local Development Districts in the DRA footprint that serve 

as front-line project managers to ensure community-relevant project development and 

investment. SEDAP investments emphasize job creation, regional collaboration, and health and 

safety for communities. 

As front-line project managers, the local development districts within the DRA footprint provide 

technical assistance, application support and review, and other services to DRA and those 

entities in their district wishing to apply for DRA funding. The LDDs help the DRA identify 

effective and impactful economic development projects for consideration for DRA investment. 

They also provide on-ground support for public outreach and participate in DRA-sponsored 

programs and policy initiatives, often helping to drive attendance to DRA events. 
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Role of the Local Development Districts

All projects whether Emergency/Contingency, Replacement or SEDAP, are developed in 

coordination with the appropriate LDD. Projects are submitted electronically either by or through 

the LDD whose territory includes the home county/parish of the applicant and/or the 

county/parish being served. 

LDD staff will review and certify that each project is legitimate and meets the parameters of the 

DRA program. Ultimately, the DRA makes the final determination of eligibility. However, 

LDDs will also acknowledge their role and responsibility as project managers for each project 

and ensure each project is implemented and regulations adhered to in a timely manner. In the 

event an application is deemed ineligible by the DRA, the LDD also serves as the local economic 

development agency that should be knowledgeable of other state and federal funding sources. 

Applicants are encouraged to work closely with the LDD in identifying the best available 

resources for their project. 

In order to compensate the LDDs for the administrative work they perform, project 

administrative fees will be paid from the awarded funds. The formula for determining project 

administration fees is 5 percent of the first $100,000 and 1 percent of all dollars in excess of 

$100,000. By example, a $200,000 award would include $6,000 in LDD project administration 

fees, thereby making $194,000 available for the purpose of the award.