The Port of South Louisiana and the South Louisiana Community College held a joint ribbon cutting at a brand new training center in Baldwin. The new training center, constructed via a $1.3 million Economic Development Administration grant matched by local and state funds, was developed via a partnership between the two organizations and the South Central Planning and Development Commission. The Port oversaw all design and construction activities for the center that will ultimately be used by SLCC for job and vocational training. SCPDC administered the grant for the port commission and ensured the contractor complied with federal wage rates.

On February 8, 2023 at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center Cospolich Inc. was awarded the 2022 Lantern Award for the South Central Region of Louisiana. Louisiana Economic Development and Louisiana Association of Planning and Development Districts presented these awards to celebrate the spirit of excellence in business. Lantern Award winners receive copper lanterns donated by Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights of New Orleans and created by the company’s skilled craftsmen. Kevin Belanger, CEO and Patrick Gordon, CPO with South Central Planning and Development Commission were present with Parish President Matt Jewell and Corey Faucheux, St. Charles Economic Development Director for the Ceremony.

Planners Josh Manning, Cassie Parker, Thomas Rhodes, and Jonathan Eastwood attended LA Department of Transportation & Development's 2023 Louisiana Transportation Conference in Baton Rouge, LA. They, along with hundreds of other transportation planning professionals throughout the state were provided an opportunity to network and gain knowledge on various transportation trends, tools, federal and state funding sources, planning for resilience and sustainability, innovative technologies and design, ITS operations and data management, infrastructure projects on our roads and bridges, passenger rail and many other transportation topics.

Lesley Long and Lea Ann Rucker, Region Planners at the SCPDC, had an incredible time attending the 2023 National Planning Conference in Philadelphia! The conference focused on digitalization, population diversity, inclusion, upskilling, transportation, and affordable housing. The conference attracted planners from across the country who were eager to learn about the latest trends and innovations in the field.

Over the course of the conference, they learned about the critical importance of technology and digitalization in planning and development. The planners also had engaging discussions about the importance of inclusivity and diversity in planning, and how to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing.

In addition to the great talks and discussions, the conference also included some wonderful opportunities for networking and socializing. They took a tour of the city and got to see some of Philadelphia's most iconic landmarks, including Benjamin Franklin's grave, the Rocky statue, and the Liberty Bell.

All in all, the conference was a great success. They made valuable connections and learned a lot.

As of the March 21^st meeting of the SCPDC Loan Board, all $5,000,000 in CARES Act loan funds have been allocated in the South Central Region: Terrebonne (18), Lafourche (11), St Mary (3), St Charles (1). Additionally, borrowers both within and outside the South Central Region have benefitted from SCPDC’s other loan programs to start or expand their small businesses.  Since the beginning of 2023, the SCPDC Loan Board has approved just over $1.5 million in loans to 9 small businesses across all loan funds in Assumption, Lafourche, St Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes. Types of businesses include professional services, essential retail, construction, self service housekeeping, food service, recreation, and residential services.

As anticipated, in a joint effort between the SCPDC Grant & Loan and Legal & Special Projects departments, we will be contracting with Louisiana’s Office of Community Development, as we have for past disasters, to provide relief to small businesses across the Hurricane Ida AND Hurricanes Laura and Delta disaster declared areas. We anticipate offering applications beginning 5/1/2023. The state, in coordination with the federal government, typically takes 2 years or more to begin providing these program services, but it appears they are on track to get this done much sooner than that for Ida. For more detailed info from the state for this program, please visit https://www.restore.la.gov/small-business-loan-program

For more information or to apply for our regular (non-recovery) small business loan programs, please visit our website at https://www.scpdc.org/departments/planning/economic-development-2/loans/ or contact us by phone at 985.655.1051. Information regarding the upcoming recovery loans for small businesses will also be available via this webpage when it becomes available.

Completes First Phase of Gulf of Mexico Umanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence

The Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission has completed construction on the first phase of the Gulf of Mexico Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence using a mix of Economic Development Administration and local funding.

The first phase of the project is the construction of a landing pad for unmanned aerial vehicles. This pad is part of a much larger program the airport commission expects will drastically change the dynamic of airport operations in the future by expanding services to unmanned and automated air travel. The Center is expected to bring innovation to the region by creating opportunities in clean energy technology. It is envisioned to be a public-private partnership between the airport, academic centers including Nicholls State University and Fletcher Community College, and other governmental and private industry partners for the purpose of UAS training, testing, and future operations.

The airport received $1.35 million dollar EDA grant to assist with construction of the facility. SCPDC administered the grant for the airport as well as ensured labor compliance. The Commission is currently working with the airport for the next round of EDA funding to continue to complete the project.

The Economic Development Administration has published its latest Notice of Funding Opportunity for the 2023 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance. From the NOFO:

EDA intends to review applications expeditiously upon receipt of the complete application. There are no application submission deadlines. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new PWEAA NOFO, cancellation of this PWEAA NOFO, or all available funds have been expended.

This NOFO sets out EDA’s application submission and review procedures for two of EDA’s core economic development programs authorized under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 3121 et seq.) (PWEDA): (1) Public Works and Economic Development Facilities (Public Works) and (2) Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA).

EDA supports bottom-up strategies that build on regional assets to spur economic growth and resiliency. EDA encourages its grantees throughout the country to develop initiatives that present new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.

Through this NOFO EDA intends to advance general economic development in accordance with EDA’s investment priorities, but also to pursue projects that, where practicable, incorporate specific priorities related to equity, workforce development, and climate change resiliency so that investments can benefit everyone for decades to come.

Please access this opportunity at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=346815.

The FY 2023 PWEAA NOFO supersedes EDA’s FY2020 PWEAA NOFO.

SCPDC staff is available to assist partner organization identify and apply for quality EDA projects. These projects require a local match of 20%. For more information, please contact Joshua Manning at josh@scpdc.org.

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Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among our youth. Our South Central Regional Safety Coalition's state and local law enforcement teamed up in an effort to increase seat belt use and reduce distracted driving by conducting a Young Drivers Observational Event at Nicholls State University.

This collaborative effort between Nicholls State University PD, Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, Thibodaux Police Department, LSP-C and SCPDC provides an opportunity for law enforcement to interact and educate young adults on the importance of buckling up and avoiding distractions while behind the wheel.

Pre and post observations are conducted prior and after the educational event and checkpoint to gather data on drivers not wearing seatbelts and/or distracted driving. The team effort yielded positive results, data showing an 11.4% decrease in drivers not restrained and 32.3% decrease in distracted drivers.