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Jefferson Davis Parish EDC: $16.8 million awarded for power-line reconstruction; director highlights federal outreach and workforce talks
Summary
At its Feb. 11 meeting the Jefferson Davis Parish Economic Development Commission heard that Jeff Davis Electric received $16.8 million for post-hurricane line and equipment reconstruction; EDC Director Cesilee Oliver summarized meetings in Washington, D.C., and ongoing workforce and site-visit work with Pattern Energy and Metal Plate Galvanizing.
Jefferson Davis Parish's EDC reported that Jeff Davis Electric was awarded $16.8 million for reconstruction of distribution lines and equipment damaged by hurricanes, EDC Director Cesilee Oliver told the commission at its Feb. 11 meeting.
Oliver presented a slideshow about a recent trip to Washington, D.C., where she said she met with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. Bill Cassidy to outline local infrastructure needs and to promote Parish economic development. She also attended Economic Development and U.S. Chamber events and met site consultants and industry representatives to solicit interest in local projects.
The director said discussions in D.C. included workforce development and internship partnerships; she reported staff met with schoolboard officials and Pattern Energy on training and intern programs and conducted a site visit with Metal Plate Galvanizing about potential future development. The commission unanimously ratified a letter of support to SOWELA for a proposed Jennings campus expansion, a step the EDC said would support local workforce pipelines.
Oliver told the board she will attend the Police Jury Convention in Lake Charles and a week of Louisiana Economic Alliance & Development classes in New Orleans as follow-up to the D.C. outreach. The EDC also plans a community banquet April 23 at Bayou Rum in Lacassine to promote local economic efforts and stakeholder coordination.
Next steps described at the meeting include follow-up meetings with prospective employers and education partners to turn outreach contacts into training slots and site-ready projects.
