Iberia Parish officials used their Nov. 19 council meeting to highlight local economic activity and infrastructure work, announcing a ribbon-cutting for First Solar's new manufacturing facility and reporting progress on the Peebles Coulee flood-control project.

Parish President said construction on Peebles Coulee continues, with crews moving into forming and reinforcement for wing and head wall foundations and an estimated project completion of about 52 percent. He said contractors will pour shallow foundation components in coming weeks.

The parish also announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony for First Solar’s new manufacturing facility scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21. The parish statement called the facility "one of the largest economic development projects in the parish's history," credited local infrastructure improvements with helping attract the investment and said the project is expected to create substantial local employment.

Council members reinforced the message: Councilman Scott Rossoner described a tour of the First Solar plant and said the facility contains extensive robotics and equipment and is "soon to be 1,000 jobs." Marcus Broussard and other members noted the Cajun Industries grand opening and described expectations for hundreds of jobs as projects scale up.

Why it matters

Large-scale manufacturing investments and active flood-control construction affect local employment, property risk from flooding and the parish’s tax base. Council comments highlighted both near-term job prospects from the First Solar and Cajun Industries projects and ongoing public-works investments to support local infrastructure.

What to watch

The First Solar ribbon-cutting is scheduled Nov. 21; council members said tours for the remainder of the council will be arranged. The Peebles Coulee project will report future construction milestones to the council as work continues.