Mayor of Jennings urges stakeholder meeting on solar farms to protect prime parish land

Mayor Henry Guinn asked the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission on June 11 to convene a stakeholder meeting to review solar farm proposals and safeguards for prime parish land.

Guinn asked the commission to consider three topics in a convening: which properties developers are targeting, what incentives they are requesting, and what zoning restrictions currently apply. He said the goal is to make sure “the most prime real estate is not consumed by solar farms,” according to the meeting record.

The request came during the commission’s public comment period. The commission did not set a date for a stakeholder meeting at the June 11 session; members noted that EDC staff have been meeting with outside stakeholders and a Louisiana Rural Development team visit was scheduled later that day.

Why it matters: large-scale solar siting can affect agricultural and development opportunities, local tax bases and future land uses. The commission’s review could influence whether and how incentives and zoning are used to steer projects.

What the commission did: no formal motion or vote on the solar-siting request was recorded on June 11. Chair Kendal Henry and staff will remain involved in outreach; the commission’s new director, Cesilee Oliver, was added that day to the commission’s authorized bank signers and is meeting with stakeholders as part of onboarding.

Next steps: the commission has not announced a date for a solar-stakeholder meeting; Mayor Guinn’s request was entered into the record and will inform staff outreach and follow-up discussions.