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Jeff Davis Parish EDC elects 2026 officers, advances animal shelter ballot plan and highlights local business openings
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission elected officers for 2026, agreed to pursue a ballot rededication of a portion of the jail tax to fund the animal shelter, and heard reports of new local businesses and a student internship workforce program.
Kendal Henry, chairman of the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission, called the Jan. 14 meeting to order at First Guaranty Bank and welcomed two new board representatives.
The commission approved the meeting agenda, the Dec. 10, 2025 minutes and financial reports for October and November 2025; each motion passed unanimously. Ronnie Petree made the motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Ed Orgeron. Dr. Shane Fontenot moved approval of the minutes and financial reports; Beth Daigle and Reese "Skip" Broussard seconded those motions, respectively.
EDC Director Cesilee Oliver reported a string of retail developments and promotional plans aimed at showcasing Jefferson Davis Parish to outside audiences. "There is a potential new bakery locating in the area," Oliver said, and she noted that Boyd's has opened in the former Darryll's location, a new fast-food chicken business has opened and Breaux's Cajun Kitchen is operating. Oliver said she will attend DC Mardi Gras events and the Policy Jury Convention in Lake Charles to promote the parish and will distribute promotional beads and materials while in Washington, D.C.
Oliver told the commission she has met with the Jeff Davis Parish School Board to create a workforce development program that would allow students to serve as interns in local businesses. The board agreed to allow the purchase of DC Mardi Gras ball tickets and promotional items to support outreach; specific expense approvals were recorded as part of the meeting record.
Parish Administrator Ben Boudreaux reported that Police Juror Owen Cormier recently died and said the Police Jury will appoint an interim juror to fill the vacancy until the November election.
The commission discussed placing a rededication of a portion of the existing jail tax on either the June or November ballot to allow funds to be used to support the animal shelter. Members noted the shelter was built with federal funds and that the current jail tax has been used to maintain jail facilities and reportedly has excess funds. Board members acknowledged that legally the rededication requires approval by election and discussed outreach limits, noting that tax dollars cannot be used for advertising and that the commission would use simple social-media bullet points to explain the measure to the public.
Jeff Davis Parish Clerk of Court Richard Arceneaux announced the District 37 state representative election will be Feb. 7, 2026, with early voting Jan. 24–31, 2026.
The commission scheduled its next meeting for noon Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. Ethics Disclosure Tier 2.1 is due May 15, 2026. On a motion by Ronnie Petree, seconded by Ed Orgeron, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote.
Votes at a glance: approved motions included adoption of the Jan. 14 agenda (moved Ronnie Petree; second Ed Orgeron), approval of Dec. 10, 2025 minutes (moved Dr. Shane Fontenot; second Beth Daigle), approval of Oct.–Nov. 2025 financials (moved Dr. Shane Fontenot; second Reese "Skip" Broussard), setting Reese "Skip" Broussard's at-large term to end Dec. 31, 2027 (moved Ronnie Petree; second Ed Orgeron), and election of Kendal Henry (chair), Will Hetzel (vice-chair) and Beth Daigle (secretary/treasurer) (motions and seconds recorded in the minutes). All recorded votes passed unanimously.
