The Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission accepted the resignation of Chair Kendal Henry, elected Gabe Fontenot as chair for the remainder of the year, handled housekeeping motions, and heard a Director's Report focusing on a Solugen rezoning request, SpaceX-related planning, regional site certification and infrastructure updates.
Discussion Points
•Director attended SpaceX event; toured Venture Global and Calcasieu Pass 2; outreach events sponsored.
•Jennings zoning map and fiber installation; Jennings water plant capacity >8 million gallons per day.
•Kendal Henry announced resignation; Henry will remain on the board as a Police Jury representative.
•Lake Arthur reported O'Reilly driveway permit approved by DOTO (as recorded).
•Procedural approvals and motions recorded as unanimous.
•Proposal to create special districts to expand land-use for I-3 and rail corridors; permitting process moving online; zoning now on GIS.
•Stakeholders proposed routing and signage solutions to handle SpaceX-related traffic.
•Town hall held in Welsh on rezoning for Solugen; public hearing to be held at next Police Jury meeting.
Decisions
•Agenda and minutes approved; meeting adjourned.
•Gabe Fontenot elected chair for remainder of year; bank signer list updated to reflect change.
•Information only; no commission action recorded.
•No EDC action recorded; matter to proceed to Police Jury public hearing.
•No formal action recorded; items for staff follow-up.
•No formal action taken.
Directions
•Update bank account signers to remove Kendal Henry and add Gabe Fontenot.
At its Sept. 8, 2026 meeting the Jefferson Davis Parish Tourist Commission authorized its director to execute documents related to an Act 3 2026 cooperative endeavor agreement, reviewed event planning including Fall Fest on Oct. 31 and a Stearman event Oct. 3–4, introduced a new marketing hire and discussed banking sponsorship of tourism events; several board terms were noted as expiring Sept. 30, 2026.
Discussion Points
•A representative of the Lt. Governor's office will visit Sept. 18 to discuss a park museum.
•Board members representing Elton and Jennings and one at‑large seat have terms expiring Sept. 30, 2026.
•Delegation of signature authority to the director for Act 3 cooperative endeavor agreement.
•Event date, number of gumbo teams, performers and family attractions were confirmed.
•Event scheduling and lodging demand for Teal Festival; plans for Stearman event and Cocktail Trail end date.
•Introduction of new marketing coordinator and list of upcoming events and operational updates.
•Whether the financial institution holding commission funds should sponsor tourism events.
Decisions
•Resolution adopted; authority delegated to director.
Directions
•Director authorized to execute related documents.
•Each mayor will submit nominee lists to the Police Jury for appointment.
Minutes of the Jefferson Davis Parish Tourist Commission meeting on Aug. 13, 2026, covering attendance, approval of minutes and financials, motions to hire a part-time marketing employee and adopt payment processing, a personnel policy amendment, ongoing talks with the City of Jennings on a joint service agreement, and a director report on upcoming events.
Discussion Points
•Architect planning fees, funding sources, lease agreements, and ownership were debated.
•City of Jennings obtaining bids for office repairs (siding and windows).
•Development Office Proposal discussion on architect fees, funding, lease and ownership.
•Director reported upcoming events and marketing plans (Fall Festival, Bayou Blues Series, Stearman event).
•Event updates: 'Cocktail Trait' start date, Fall Festival registrations (6 teams), Bayou Blues series success, food trucks boosting attendance, Stearman event dates.
•Ongoing negotiation of a Joint Service Agreement for 2026–2027.
•Ongoing talks with Mayor Guinn on a Joint Service Agreement for 2026–2027 and bids for office repairs in Jennings.
•Pay-rate discrepancy for Kaylee Bryant noted by Nikki Trahan.
•Policy change to vacation accrual and anniversary-based calculation.
•Staff to enroll in a payment program for events; examples listed include PayPal and Square.
Decisions
•Adjourn meeting (approved).
•Amend policy manual to cap vacation accrual at 15 days (approved).
•Approve enrollment in payment-processing service for events (approved).
•Authorize hire of a part-time marketing employee (approved).
•Commission will not pay park maintenance or utilities until a Joint Service Agreement is in place.
•Enrollment in payment processing authorized.
•No formal decision was recorded; item left for future consideration.
At its noon meeting Aug. 12, 2026 in Jennings, the Jefferson Davis Parish Economic Development Commission approved routine minutes and financial reports, and the commission heard that a rezoning request for a proposed Solugen facility will be deferred amid landowner concerns. Director Cesilee Oliver reported on a recreation-facility study and recent social media outreach; the commission announced a ribbon cutting, a congressional meet-and-greet and a workforce lunch-and-learn.
Discussion Points
•Agenda, minutes and adjournment motions recorded and passed unanimously.
•Company offered to pave the road and to use I-10 frontage road rather than Highway 90 to reduce traffic and bridge wear.
•Company provided Safety Data Sheet and engineer-letter from a landowner; some landowners still expressed concerns about chemical transport and storage.
•Discussion considered Lacassine Park (owned by LAFA) as an alternative site and structural changes to zoning authority (independent zoning board).
•Financial report for May–July 2026 presented and accepted without recorded objections.
•Julia Letlow meet-and-greet scheduled for Aug. 13 in Jennings.
•Plan to mail a voter survey to all registered voters to obtain input on a parish recreational facility.
•Ribbon cutting scheduled for Jefferson Davis Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 1 project in Lacassine on Aug. 13.
The Jefferson Davis Parish Tourist Commission on July 14, 2026 discussed options to acquire or build an office building (including a tour of the Capital One building), authorized the director to continue negotiations with the City of Jennings and an architect, approved routine contracts and a 3% pay increase for the Chateau manager, and heard the director's report on upcoming events and marketing metrics.
Discussion Points
•Agenda included pay increase discussion; commissioners approved the budgeted raise.
•Cardholder list updated due to staff change.
•Comparing purchase vs. building new; potential rental revenue; need for comprehensive plan and funding sources.
•Routine administrative approvals and vendor engagements.
•Upcoming events, promotion strategies, staffing vacancy, and social-media performance.
Decisions
•3% increase approved unanimously.
•All recorded motions passed unanimously.
•Authorization passed unanimously to proceed with negotiations and cost estimates.
•Proceed with planned events and recruitment for a part-time marketing position.
Directions
•Administration to implement retroactive pay change.
•Administration to update cardholder list and execute engagement letters.
•Director authorized to meet with Jennings and architect to clarify fees and plan rights and obtain cost estimates.
The July 8, 2026 Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission regular meeting was cancelled; the minutes list commissioners, advisory board members and staff and schedule the next meeting for noon on August 12, 2026 at First Guaranty Bank.
Decisions
•meeting cancelled; next meeting scheduled for noon Aug. 12, 2026 at First Guaranty Bank.
The Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission met April 8, 2026, approved routine agenda items and several procedural motions, heard a multi-topic director's report on business retention, grants and a battery storage project, received stakeholder updates on local events and infrastructure, and adjourned.
Discussion Points
•Director and parish administrator discussed a battery storage project and planned Thornwell Water District meeting to address water supply constraints in Lacassine Park.
•Director and parish staff are pursuing a battery storage project and will attend a Thornwell Water District meeting on Lacassine water needs.
•Director reported BRE visits and a review with LED Fastsite officials regarding an infrastructure application to serve the T.O. Allen property; application was not granted and staff will revise for a future submission.
•Director reported BRE visits and a visit to Exxon's campus for low-carbon solutions information.
•LED Fastsite Program meeting reviewed T.O. Allen infrastructure application that was not granted; staff will revise for re-submission.
•Listing of a 1,200-acre farm near I-10 with ~950 usable acres; discussion of roadway access.
•Mayor Guinn updated attendees on an upcoming STOL aviation event and anticipated municipal water plant online date of mid to late 2027; he mentioned listing a nearby 1,200-acre farm with LED.
•Municipal water plant construction timeline estimated mid-late 2027.
•Parish Administrator Ben Boudreaux discussed the Lacassine booster station, a Topsy Road project going out for bids, a planned battery storage ordinance, and governance changes concerning term limits and nomination process.
•Reminders about Election Day (May 16), LA Ethics Tier 2.1 due May 15, and ethics training due Dec. 31, 2026.
•Series of community events announced including Love the Boot (April 18), JDP Banquet (April 23), Bayou Rum Run (May 16).
•Setting term limits for committee board members and implementing a nomination process for appointments and re-appointments.
•STOL aviation event registration and local promotion.
Decisions
•Adjourn meeting.
•Approve agenda, minutes, and February financials.
•Set Friday office hours to 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Directions
•Contact DOTD regarding frontage road extension for farm access.
•Director to attend Thornwell Water District Board meeting to discuss water needs in Lacassine Park.
•Director to continue outreach and coordinate battery storage planning with parish administration.
•Staff to coordinate battery storage project planning and prepare proposed ordinance for introduction.
•Staff to follow the new nomination process and implement term limits according to the adopted procedures.
•Staff to revise LED Fastsite application for T.O. Allen property and reapply.
•Staff to revise LED Fastsite/ infrastructure application for T.O. Allen property and reapply.
The Jefferson Davis Parish Tourist Commission on April 7, 2026 approved routine financial items, voted to pursue parking improvements and obtain bids, set new Friday office hours, and heard a director report listing upcoming events including STOL aviation and the Bayou Rum 5K.
Discussion Points
•Board agreed to designate regular public hours on Fridays.
•Board agreed to obtain bids before committing funds.
•Director listed event dates and invited board participation.
•Monthly financials presented and approved.
Decisions
•Approved February 2026 financial reports.
•Authorized bid solicitation; no funding approved.
•Tourism office hours set to Fridays 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Directions
•Commissioners invited to attend STOL aviation event April 10–11 and other events.
•Staff to solicit bids for parking improvements.
•Staff to update public information to reflect new hours.
The Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission convened March 11, 2026, approved routine minutes and financials, elected an at-large board member and noted a Police Jury resignation, heard a presentation on a utility-scale battery energy storage project, and received staff reports on upcoming events and local infrastructure updates.
Discussion Points
•Approval of agenda, minutes, and financials; reminders for ethics filings and training; next meeting scheduled.
•Aypa described the scope and commercial viability of a utility-scale battery project.
•Bids opened and awarded for frontage road phase one.
•Completion of LEAD course; baseline data program development; outreach events planned.
•Resignation of Tony Trahan; nomination of Gabriel Fontenot and Judy Petry; re-appointment of Will Hetzel.
Decisions
•All motions passed unanimously.
•Election of Gabriel Fontenot to At-Large seat; re-appointment of Will Hetzel.
•No commission action recorded.
•No formal action taken at this meeting.
•No formal votes; informational report.
Directions
•Board members to participate in cleanup and bring headshots to next meeting.
•Pre-construction meeting scheduled for first week of April.
•Staff to process appointment paperwork and to follow up on vacant Police Jury seat.
•Staff to track follow-up materials if provided by Aypa.
At its March 10, 2026 meeting the Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission approved routine agenda items and financial reports, accepted the 2024–2025 audit, approved a water-tank installation, entered an executive session on park improvements, and discussed a possible donation to an April STOL aviation event.
Discussion Points
•Airport committed $15,000 and Industrial Board $10,000 toward franchise fees; commission asked to consider donation.
•CPA presented audit findings (details summarized in audit document).
•Director returning from maternity leave; events planned and partnerships noted; marketing metrics reviewed.
•Executive session held for park improvement strategy; after reconvening staff assigned to get plans and bids.
•Maxim's original bid would repair pump to send water to the pond; with additional tank the system can supply irrigation directly.
•Members observed inconsistent hotel/motel tax receipts and recommended collecting data from the sales-tax collector.
•Procedural approvals of agenda, minutes, and financial reports were completed.
Decisions
•Agenda approved; minutes and financial reports approved.
•Audit accepted by unanimous vote.
•No award or final design recorded; direction to staff only.
•No monetary decision at this meeting; suggested amount to be provided next meeting.
•Quote for FL-30 tank approved.
Directions
•Carter Prejean to continue coordinating with event organizer.
•Consider formal request to sales-tax collector in future meeting.
•Director to obtain plans and bids.
•Staff to schedule installation and coordinate with vendor.
The Jefferson Davis Parish Tourist Commission meeting scheduled for noon on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, was canceled; the meeting record lists a roster of commissioners, staff and guests but records no further business or rescheduling.
At its Jan. 13, 2026 meeting the Jefferson Davis Parish Tourist Commission adopted a Sponsorship and Marketing Policy, amended its employee manual, shifted its monthly meeting time from noon to 3:00 p.m., reviewed a drop in December sales-tax receipts, and heard a director report on upcoming events and marketing metrics.
Discussion Points
•Director Carter Prejean reported a decline in December sales-tax collections and plans to contact the Sales Tax Collector to review Airbnb and hotel/motel reporting.
•Marketing metrics were summarized showing a wide range of reach across social platforms.
•Plans and promotions for 2026 events were discussed, including Yellow Rails birding, Mardi Gras coverage, Bayou Rum 5K, Legislative Breakfast and Love the Boot week.
Decisions
•Adopt Sponsorship and Marketing Policy (approved unanimously).
•Amend Employee Policies and Best Practices Manual (approved unanimously).
•Change regular meeting time to 3:00 p.m. on second Tuesdays (approved unanimously).
•Meeting scheduled for Feb. 10, 2026 was cancelled (reason not specified).
•No meeting in February; next regular meeting scheduled for March 10, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
Directions
•Administration to update meeting notices to reflect new 3:00 p.m. schedule and rotating locations.
•Director Carter Prejean to contact Sales Tax Collector Amber Miller regarding vendor reporting.
•Marketing Director to publish adopted policy and present implementation plans at future meeting.
The Jefferson Davis Parish Economic Development Commission met Dec. 10, 2025, and unanimously adopted the 2026 budget and several engagement and cooperative agreements; staff updated the board on rezoning efforts, water-project grant work, and local infrastructure updates. Next meeting set for Jan. 14, 2026, at First Guaranty Bank.
Discussion Points
•Economic development activity slowed due to federal shutdown, per EDC Director.
•EDC Director pushed for rezoning certified properties to light industrial and outreach to landowners; no rezoning decision recorded.
•EDC Director reported submission of LED Fast Site application tied to Lacassine water project; no funding decision recorded at this meeting.
•Need to rezone certified properties to light industrial raised by EDC Director Cesilee Oliver.
•Parish Administrator raised potential consolidation of boards but noted legal/financial complexities due to differing millages.
•Possible long-range consolidation of fire, water and drainage boards mentioned by Parish Administrator Ben Boudreaux; complexity noted due to differing millages.
Decisions
•Adopt 2026 budget and 2025 amendments; approve cooperative agreements and financial engagements; table election of officers until next meeting.
•No formal board vote recorded on rezoning or project funding at this meeting.
Directions
•EDC Director to continue outreach to Police Jury and landowners and pursue LED Fast Site application.
•EDC Director to follow up with Police Jury and landowners on rezoning and with LED Fast Site application for Lacassine water project.
At its Dec. 9, 2025 meeting, the Jefferson Davis Parish Tourist Commission unanimously adopted a new marketing grant policy and authorized Director Carter Prejean to make edits without further board approval; the board also approved repairs to a water well and heard a report on recent events and marketing metrics.
Discussion Points
•Board discussed approving funding for water-well repairs and recommended confirming pond-stocking plans in writing.
•Board discussed replacing the marketing grant policy and the operational benefit of delegating edit authority to the director.
•Reported event attendance and fundraising results and plans for 2026 events.
Decisions
•Adopted new marketing grant policy and authorized director edits.
•Approved water-well repair quote from Maxim's Water Service for $14,487.00.
Directions
•Director Carter Prejean authorized to make edits to the new marketing grant policy without further board approval.
•Linda LeBlanc to email the November sales tax report to the Tourism Board for follow-up.
•Prejean is working with Kori Myers on the 2026 fair; no formal board action recorded.
•Prejean to contact the Stearman group in January to begin planning the 2026 aviation event.
The Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission convened Nov. 14, 2025, but the meeting could not proceed after organizers determined there was no quorum; only the opening prayer and pledge took place and no motions or votes were held.
Discussion Points
•Attendance and opening procedures (call to order, prayer, pledge)
Decisions
•The meeting could not continue due to a lack of quorum; no motions or votes were taken.
The Jeff Davis Economic Development Commission met Nov. 12, 2025, at First Guaranty Bank to review the 2026 budget, discuss rezoning certified properties for light‑industrial use, receive an update on the Lacassine Water Project, record a board resignation, and note several local commercial permitting updates.
Discussion Points
•Chrystal Breaux's resignation announced.
•Confirmation that funding for the Lacassine Water Project remains in place despite delays.
•Coordination with Meyers and Associates and LED programs on project support.
•Economic development slowdown attributed to the federal shutdown.
•Local permit approvals and new business openings reported by municipal leaders.
•Presentation of the proposed 2026 budget and proposed 2025 amendments.
•Rezoning certified parcels to light industrial to create shovel‑ready sites.
Decisions
•Adjournment motion passed unanimously.
•Approved routine agenda, minutes, and September financials (unanimous).
Directions
•Continue coordination with the Police Jury and landowners on rezoning efforts.
•Staff to continue coordination with consultants and state programs.
The Jefferson Davis Parish Tourist Commission met Oct. 21, 2025, approved routine minutes and financial reports, appointed Vice Chairman Kori Myers as acting chairman through the fiscal year, updated bank signers and online access, approved an amended Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the parish Economic Development Commission, and discussed the Nov. 1 Fall Fest event.
Discussion Points
•Fall Fest planning and marketing updates were presented during public comments.
•Governance actions included appointment of an acting chair and changes to bank signers and online access.
•Routine approvals of agenda, minutes and financial reports were recorded at the start of the meeting.
Decisions
•Approved agenda, minutes, August financials; appointed acting chair; updated bank signers; authorized online bank access; approved amended Cooperative Endeavor Agreement; meeting adjourned.
Directions
•File amended Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with commission records.
•Provide updated signer documentation to First Guaranty Bank and set up online access for Monica Trahan.
The Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission convened Oct. 8, 2025, approved routine minutes and financials, and passed amended joint service agreements with the parish landfill and the tourist commission. Exxon Mobil representatives described planned carbon capture and storage outreach and offered to return with technical staff; the EDC director reported active RFPs including an ammunition manufacturer opportunity and local site and zoning work.
Discussion Points
•Company representatives emphasized economic demand for low-carbon products in addition to greenhouse gas removal.
•EDC Director reported an RFP for an ammunition manufacturer (160 jobs, ~$60,000 salary range, ~$32 million CapEx) and ongoing site certification and rezoning work.
•Exxon Mobil representatives described CCS intent for Allen Parish and framed CCS as economically significant in addition to environmental benefits.
•Exxon Mobil’s representatives described CCS intent for Louisiana and identified Allen Parish as a possible site area.
•Parish Administrator noted upcoming rezoning items and GIS/overlay updates.
•Reported RFPs including one from an ammunition manufacturer (approx. 160 jobs, ~$60,000 salary range, ~$32M CapEx).
•Representatives offered to return with technical staff for detailed briefings.
•Staff are working on the Marsh project, site certification in Silverwood, zoning proposals and GIS updates.
Decisions
•Approval of minutes (Oct. 8 and Sept. 10), approval of August 2025 financials, approval of amended joint service agreements with Jeff Davis Landfill and Jeff Davis Tourist Commission, and adjournment.
•Information-only updates; no formal votes on site certification or rezoning were recorded.
•No formal action or local commitment was taken at this meeting; the presentation was informational.
Directions
•EDC Director Cesilee Oliver will present rezoning maps to the Police Jury showing sites near the I‑10 corridor.
•EDC Director to present rezoning maps to the Police Jury for parcels near the I‑10 corridor.
•Exxon Mobil representatives offered to return with technical staff to address detailed CCS questions.
•Exxon Mobil to consider providing technical representatives for a future EDC briefing if requested.
The Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission met Sept. 10, 2025; members approved financial reports and a budget amendment, voted to join the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System Plan B, heard from an Elton entrepreneur who launched a repellent product through the SEED Center, and received project updates and a zoning briefing for unincorporated parish land.
Discussion Points
•99.9% of unincorporated parish land zoned Agriculture, requiring rezoning for commercial development
•Announcement of a 170-acre certified site on Hwy. 395 south of I‑10 at Roanoke exit
•Budget amendment justified by newly approved landfill funds; payroll increases noted as part of amendment
•Project Marsh potential 60 employees; Project Fuel interest in Lacassine; $70M RFP needs 20–30 acres to employ ~100
•Resolution to join retirement system approved; implementation steps to be coordinated by administration
•SEED Center incubator support for Hunt Repellent and the company’s local distribution plans
Decisions
•Budget amendment approved
•Financial reports approved
•Meeting adjourned
•No formal rezoning actions taken; continue exploring rezoning pathways and site promotion
•Resolution to join Municipal Employees' Retirement System Plan B approved
Directions
•Administration to coordinate retirement-plan enrollment by Dec. 31, 2025
•EDC staff to continue site development and investor outreach
•Finance/EDC to publish amended budget and reflect changes in next financial report
•Invite Exxon/Mobil representatives to present on CO2 projects at next meeting
Regular meeting of the Jefferson Davis Parish Tourist Commission on Sept. 9, 2025, covered approvals of routine minutes and financial reports, event planning and volunteer needs for upcoming Stearman and Fall Festival events, tourism metrics showing year-over-year increases, and an announcement that Chair Sheila Chapman will not seek reappointment.
Discussion Points
•Gator Chateau sales increased in July and August 2025 vs. 2024
•Marketing/communications reach reported with social media views and partner outreach activities
•Volunteer needs for Stearman banquet (Oct. 4) and daytime volunteers (Oct. 3); Fall Festival activities and gumbo competition details; Chair Sheila Chapman will not seek reappointment; Kayla Doga agreed to serve another term
•Year-over-year increases in visitor counts and nights spent for July and August 2025
Decisions
•Approve agenda and Aug. 12 minutes; approve amended June and July financial reports; adjourn meeting
•Information received as staff reports; no funding or policy actions recorded
Directions
•Director to email board information on upcoming events for September and October; Director to continue recruiting volunteers and sponsors for Fall Festival
