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Jeff Davis EDC pushes rezoning to attract light‑industrial sites, presents 2026 budget
Summary
At its Nov. 12 meeting, the Jeff Davis Economic Development Commission discussed rezoning certified properties to light‑industrial to attract industry and reviewed the proposed 2026 budget; the board approved routine agenda, minutes and September financials.
On Nov. 12, 2025, the Jeff Davis Economic Development Commission discussed rezoning certified properties to light‑industrial to support prospective industrial development and reviewed its proposed 2026 budget, EDC Director Cesilee Oliver reported.
Oliver told the board she had met with the Police Jury and with T. O. Allen landowners about rezoning certified parcels and said the rezoning effort is moving forward as a strategy to create shovel‑ready industrial sites. She also listed recent outreach and event activity, including attendance at the Coushatta groundbreaking, ribbon cuttings for Old River and Ochsner’s infusion center, the Chamber Golf Scramble and the Tourist Commission’s Fall Fest. Oliver said she attended an LED's Fast Site workshop that covered funding opportunities.
Oliver and other board members noted economic development activity in the parish has slowed because of the federal government shutdown, reducing momentum on prospective projects. The commission was also presented with the proposed 2026 EDC budget and proposed amendments to the 2025 budget; the minutes record the budgets were presented but do not record a formal vote on the 2026 proposal.
Procedural votes at the start of the meeting recorded unanimous approval of routine items: the Nov. 12 agenda (motion by Beth Daigle, second by Dr. Shane Fontenot), the Oct. 8 minutes (motion by Ronnie Petree, second by Beth Daigle), and the September 2025 financial reports (motion by Dr. Shane Fontenot, second by Beth Daigle). The minutes record those motions as passing unanimously; specific vote counts are not specified in the minutes.
The commission plans to continue rezoning coordination with the Police Jury and local landowners as part of its strategy to attract industrial investment. The next board meeting is scheduled for noon Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at First Guaranty Bank.
