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Livingston Parish airport backers cite big returns; council approves $50,000 for district
Summary
The Livingston Parish Airport District presented construction progress and an economist92s study estimating millions in leveraged funds and local economic activity. The council approved a $50,000 payment for administrative costs, voting 6913. The presentation included a runway construction timeline and planned FAA-standard work.
Delia Taylor, chairwoman of the Livingston Parish Airport District, told the council the district has completed site mobilization, drainage and foundational work for a 4,200-foot runway and related apron and taxiway, and that connections for sewer and three-phase electricity have been made to the site. She said the project broke ground in 2024 and that construction equipment is expected on-site after Memorial Day.
An economist who presented the airport92s commissioned forecast study, Dr. Loren C. Scott, said the district has leveraged roughly $17,000,000 in outside funding on top of about $380,000 the parish provided since 2017. Scott said using an input-output model produced by his team, those investments and multiplier effects have generated about $36,000,000 in economic activity for the parish and roughly $8,300,000 in additional household earnings, producing an estimated $448,000 in additional local tax revenue. Scott described the result as a strong return-on-investment for the parish.
Councilmembers asked for specifics about future parish contributions and timing. Taylor said she could not provide a precise total of future needs, explaining administrative costs (bookkeeping, legal, insurance and website) are not eligible under many state construction grants. She said the district awarded contracts for subsurface work and for the paved surface, that a pre-construction meeting was scheduled and that the first layer of asphalt would be placed so light aircraft could operate before the final FAA-prescribed asphalt depth is added.
The council then voted on a motion to approve a $50,000 parish payment to the airport district to cover administrative costs. After discussion the motion carried, 6913. The meeting record identifies the three no votes as Councilmen Shavers, Coates and Erdy.
The airport advocates said the district continues to request state funding for remaining elements (hangars, fuel service, apron enlargement) and will build to FAA standards to qualify for federal dollars. The district provided copies of the economist92s PowerPoint to staff.
The council action authorizes the administrative payment; further appropriations or funding commitments would require future council action.
