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EDC director presses rezoning of certified sites; updates on Lacassine water project, Hwy 26 resurfacing and local permits
Summary
EDC Director Cesilee Oliver told the board she is seeking rezoning of certified properties to light industrial, working on an LED Fast Site application for the Lacassine water project, and that economic development activity slowed amid the federal shutdown; local mayors and a state senator provided updates on infrastructure and a $20 million award for Chennault.
Cesilee Oliver, EDC Director for Jefferson Davis Parish, told the Economic Development Commission on Dec. 10 that she has been pressing the Police Jury to rezone certified properties to light industrial and has met with T.O. Allen landowners to gain support for rezoning.
Oliver said she attended the Police Jury agenda meeting to present the rezoning need and encouraged EDC board members to attend the Police Jury meeting in support. She said she has been working with local business owners on expansion projects and has submitted an LED Fast Site application related to a Lacassine water project. Oliver reported that economic development activity has slowed because of the federal shutdown but that staff are wrapping up multiple year-end projects and preparing for events including DC Mardi Gras in January.
Parish Administrator Ben Boudreaux said he plans to attend water board meetings and reiterated a long-range idea to consolidate separate boards (fire, water and drainage), noting the plan may be complicated by different millages on those boards.
Lake Arthur Mayor Poncho LeJeune reported a major water project in Lake Arthur, said the state Department of Transportation and Development will resurface Hwy 26 to Jennings, and noted that an O'Reilly's permit has been approved with construction expected to start soon. Senator Jerry Theunissen reported that Chennault was awarded $20 million to build another paint hanger and that an air show featuring the Blue Angels is planned for next fall.
Chamber Director Jeanne Boudreaux announced that the Chamber's holiday social was successful and that a Legislative Breakfast is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2026, at the Jennings SOWELA campus.
Why it matters: Rezoning certified sites to light industrial can expand the parish’s inventory of developable industrial land and affect future business recruitment; the Lacassine water project and DOTD resurfacing affect infrastructure capacity and local commerce. The Chennault announcement, reported by Sen. Jerry Theunissen, signals outside investment and an event that could draw visitors.
What’s next: Staff will continue rezoning outreach with Police Jury and landowners, pursue the LED Fast Site application for Lacassine water improvements, and monitor construction timelines for permitted projects.
