VietnamTraveling Wall to make stop in Walker
Community news report
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Fall Garden Dayplanned in Walker
Southeastern Livingston Center and Livingston Master
Gardeners are hosting aFall Garden Day from 9a.m. to 2p.m. Sept. 21 at 9262 Florida Blvd. Walker
The event will include nursery vendors, kids activities and plant sale.
Make adoorhanger
Combine your love of Southeastern Louisiana University and crafting at the Paint your Pride: Lion Up DoorHanger craft from 5:30p.m. to 8p.m Thursday at Southeastern’s Alumni Center,500 W. University Ave., Hammond.
To register,visit southeastern.nbsstore.net/lion-up-doorhanger
Mammographycoach visits
Woman’sHospital brings breast imaging to Livingston Parish with its mobilemammography coach. The coach makes mammograms more accessiblethan ever offering 3D mammogram technology across the state.Physician’sordersare required and appointments are encouraged.
The coach stops at Mandy’s Primary Healthcare, 35701 La. 16, Denham Springs, Sept 16 and at LPG Riverside Maurepas,18740 La. 22, Maurepas on Sept. 27.
To schedule an appointment in Denham Springs call (225) 791-2400 and in Maurepas, call (225) 698-3435 to schedule
For more information including the full mammography coach schedule,visit Womans. org.
Pets lookingfor homes
The Denham Springs Animal Shelter is looking for people to foster cats and dogs. The no-kill shelter,at600 Bowman St., Denham Springs, also encourages residentsto consider adopting apet; the fee is $60. More than 200 cats and dogs need homes or foster parents. For information on fostering or adopting, call (225) 664-4472. Concertfor mentor program
Walker is partnering with the Walker High School Student Mentor Program to host adinner and benefit concert featuring Jim and James Linden Hogg. James Linden is alocal musician, author and storyteller.The event will also include apresentation andtestimonies of the Student Mentor Program. Doors open at 5p.m Sept.15and the concert start at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are limited and may be purchased at the Walker Parks and Recreation office, 13620 AydellLane Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishestolivingston@ theadvocate.comby4 p.m Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
The Vietnam Traveling Wall is coming to Walker later this month.
ThecityofWalker and itsParksand Recreation Department are bringing theAmerican Veterans Traveling Tribute Wall at Sidney Hutchinson Park Sept.11-15.
Thememorial isan80% replica of the original Vietnam VeteransMemorial Wall standing at 360 feet longand 8feet tall. It bears the name of the58,307 men and women who made theultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation’s freedom duringthe Vietnam War.
This solemntribute serves as areminder of
theimmense costofpreserving the liberties we hold dear Accompanying the Vietnam VeteransMemorialWallisthe Cost of Freedom Tribute,a series of smaller panels that honor the service and sacrifices of those serving in Americans in World WarI,World WarII, the9/11 attacks, the WarinAfghanistan and Iraq.
The event schedule includes:
n Sept. 11: Thewallwill be escorted from East Baton Rouge Parishinto LivingstonParish and Sidney Hutchinson Park.
n Sept. 12: Dedication and Wreath Ceremony, 10 a.m. n Sept. 13: Quilt of Valor Ceremony,10a.m.
n Sept. 14: Living History Timeline, 9a.m. to 4p.m. n Sept.15: Ride of Honorand nondenominationalchurchservice, 9:30 a.m. (ride)10a.m (service)
Abenefit concert with Jim and James Linden Hogg is 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Set. 14 for Walker High School student mentor programs. These events will provide an opportunity for the community to come together,reflect on the sacrifices of our heroes, and reaffirm our commitment to the enduring values of freedom, honor and patriotism
For volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, email parksandrecinfo@walker-la.gov
Leadership Livingston classincludes25
Community news report
LeadershipLivingston recentlyannouncedits 2025 class.
Theclass waspresentedtoover240 attendeesatthe annual State of Livingston Parish Address. Before the luncheon event,the class was introduced to each other through ameet-and-greet eventand program orientation
“Weare thrilled to startthe 13thcohort of the Leadership Livingston Program,” a news release said. “As with every class, we are excited to see theachievements of this group and the positive influence they will have onour communities as ambassadors andleaders for improvement.”
Members of theclass are takenthrough a10-month program where they are introduced to varioustopics.The program is hands-on where class members travel to various locations throughout the parish.
In addition, the programhas acommunityproject componentwhere members are tasked with researching an issue or problem and helping to solve it.Past classes have been involved in projects from smaller projects to very large ones like the Albany Playground, French Settlement Playground, First Responders Monument and Challengers Ballfield. All projects help to bringawareness to theentityorarea they serve.
Twenty-five classmembers were announced and include:Sandy Acardo, LivingstonParish Clerk of Court’sOffice; Chris Anderson, Livingston Parishgovernment; Sarah Barnett, Pelican State Credit Union;Colleen Bible, OLOL Physicians Group; Duane Black,DSCity Court; BrandonCohea, FP Juvenile Detention Center; Amanda Cook, Brandy Robertson State Farm; Lauren Crow,DSLD Homes LLC; Laura Dunlap, Livingston Parish SADD;
Walker readyto repeat last season’s success
As Walker gets ready to play itsseason-opening football game, it’stempting to take aquicklook back at what the Wildcatsaccomplished last season. While the current focus is on Week 1opponent Ponchatoula, Walker is hoping to ride awave of momentum it created last season when it had what was probably their most successful season ever The Wildcats posted a10-3 overall mark that included the program’sfirst trip to the state
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
tie at thetop Could Walker do it again? After talking withother coaches around the district, thegeneral feeling is that Walker should be able to contend for district honors. The playoffs are difficult to predict,but being one of thetop teams in thedistrict would put Walker in line to at least host a first round game. Abonus for the Wildcats is the
Lisa Frey,city of Walker; Jim Gilbert, Livingston Parish President’sOffice; David Gray,LivingstonParish Library; Jason Harris; and SheriffJason Ard. Also, StephanieHarris, REV Business; Grace Kennedy,Forte and Tablada, Inc.; Steven Lea, Martin-Brower Company; Jessica Legath, Entergy; Taylor Lewis, town of Springfield; DonMcPherson, Bank of Zachary; Jessica Perault, state Department of Children and Family Services; Shane Rogers, Rogers ServiceGroup; Kayla Rogers, RN,Ochsner Health;HaileyRussell, The KinchenGroup; MarleyStilley, NorthOaks Health System; Dianna Tassin, Mears Sand &Gravel, LLC.
Leadership Livingston, aprogram of the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce, is acommunity leadership program designedtoengage participants in community dynamics andinspireaction to make Livingston Parish better
game against St. Amant High.
Walker quarterback Troy Sylvegrabs the loose ball during a2023
FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
PROVIDED PHOTO
The 2025 Leadership Livingston class includes, front rowfrom left, DonMcPherson, StephanieHarris, GraceKennedy, SandyAcardo, Brandon Cohea, Kayla Rogers, HaileyRussell, Jessica Perault, AmandaCook and Lisa Frey; middlerow,Lauren Crow, Laura Dunlap, Shane Rogers, Duane Black and Chris Anderson; and back row, Taylor Lewis, SarahBarnett, Dianna Tassin, Jessica Legath, MarleyStilley, Colleen Bible, Steven Lea, Jim Gilbertand David Gray
Librarytopartner with Mighty Moms for‘SOUPER September’
Community news report
The Livingston Parish Library is partnering with Mighty Moms,a Livingston Parish-based nonprofit organization, in its monthlong “SOUPER September” food drive during Childhood Hunger Awareness Month.
Throughout September, peoplecan donate unopened cans of chicken noodle soup at any of the five Livingston Parish Library branches during hours of operation. At the end of the month, all donations will be delivered to Mighty Moms
The donations will go toward MightyMoms’ Full Tummy Program, which provides weekend meals and snackstodisadvantaged children who rely on school-provided meals
The program feeds hundreds of Livingston Parish children per week, with an annual grocery bill exceeding $91,000.
“The partnership with the Livingston Parish Library has always beena great fit for us, because Mighty Moms and the Library ultimately have the same goal: To benefit the people of Livingston Parish,” said MightyMoms
co-founder Dawn Birdsong. Foundedin2010, Mighty Moms’ mission is to end childhood hunger inLivingston Parish, where 1in 4children are considered food insecure. This is the second year the Library has partnered with MightyMoms for its SOUPER September” food drive.
“Weare honoredtopartner with Mighty Moms and help them in their fight against childhood hunger,” said Livingston Parish Library Director Michelle Parrish. “Mighty Moms has been an incredible resource for many in Livingston Parish,and we’re proud to be included in their mission tohelp Livingston Parishchildren graduate with afull mind and afull tummy.” For more information on MightyMoms,visit mightymomsgo.org.
Locations are: n Albany-Springfield Branch: 26941 La. 43
n Denham Springs-Walker Branch:8101 La. 19
n Main Branch: 20390 Iowa St. n South Branch: 23477 La. 444 n Watson Branch: 36581 Outback Road
Keep LouisianaBeautiful launches PutThe Brakes On Litter campaign
Community news report
Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Lt.Gov.Billy Nungesser have introduced the Put the Brakes on Litter campaign in partnership with the Louisiana Automobile Dealer Association.
The campaign willdistribute litter kits and educational signage to participating car dealerships in Louisiana with the goal of educating motorists on the importance of roadside litter prevention.
“This campaign is aresult of KLB’s 2023 Louisiana Litter Study,which found that there are 143.8 million pieces of litter on our roadways,” said KLB Executive Director Susan Russell “Motorists are themain source of roadside litter,so
SALZER
Continued from page1G
this campaign is an important opportunity for teaching and empowering motorists to prevent litter from happening in the first place.”
KLB said actions motorists can take to help reduce roadside include:
n Use acar litter bag
n Use aportable ashtray
n Keep your truck bed clean
n Secure your load
n Report littering at (855)
LA-Litter
KLB has sent campaign materials to 36 participatingdealershipsacross Louisiana. Participating dealershipsreceive litter kits for vehiclebuyers. Each litter kit contains:
n Adisposable litterbag for the motorist to use for their trash
experience of head coach Chad Mahaffey, who directed University Hightomultiple state championshipsbefore taking over at Walker.Last season brought Mahaffeya measure of satisfaction.
“I was happy for those accomplishments, obviously for our players, butalso because the whole school got to experience some of those things,” Mahaffey said. “Certainly, we’re extremely proud of that group andit wasareally fun year.”
In particular,last year’sgroup was strong in the fourth quarter.The Wildcats only district loss came in Week 9, whenSt. Amantheldonfor a31-28 windespite 21 fourth-quarterpoints from Walker Walker rebounded with a35-21 win over Denham Springs to claima share of the district title. After that, there was afirstround Division Inonselect playoff byebefore ahome win over Westgate put Walker intothe semifinals
n An informational rack card explaining the contents of the kit and listing litter prevention tips n Apocket ashtray for cigarette disposal. If the motorist does not smoke, it is recommended that they give the pocket ashtray to someone who does n Acar cupholder coaster with the litter hotlinenumber.Motorists areencouraged to call(855) LA-Litter to report alitterer’splate information and vehiclemake. Louisiana car dealerships can join the “Put the Brakes on Litter” campaign online at tinyurl.com/46urtx8h. KLB will accept new dealerships while supplies last. LADA membership is not required to participate.
According to asurvey,
Duplicating last season’ssuccess will mean blending in new faces with returning contributors. Tops among the returnees is quarterback Troy Sylve, athird-year starterwho threw for morethan 1,600 yards last season.
The defense will have experience up front andinthe backfield. Linemen Donte Flowers and Noah Jasso return along with defensive backs Zyon Russ and Ja’Kyrin Johnson.
Still, as good as last year was, Mahaffey is guarding his team against any feelings of entitlement.
“The only thing we’re trying to stress with these guys is that it’snot automatic thenextyear,” he said. “We’re adifferent team, ouropponents are different teams andwe’vegot to guard against thinking that itwill just happen again.” Wise words from acoach who has been there before.
Charles Salzer coversLivingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer,email livingston@ theadvocate.com.
THE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA ADVOCATE 10291Hwy.190,Walker, LA 70785orP.O.Box 309, Walker,LA70785.(225) 388-0215
PUBLISHEDEVERY WEDNESDAY Onlineatwww.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/livingston_tangipahoa/
EDITOR Darlene T. Denstorff ddenstorff@theadvocate.com
OFFICE:(225) 388-0215 CELL:(225) 603-1998
COMMUNITY NEWS REPORTER Leila Pitchford livingston@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0731
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92% of Louisiana residents believe litter is aproblem. The complete litter study and fact sheetsare available at KeepLouisianaBeautiful. org. Other keyfindingsfrom the Litter Study that motivated thiscampaign include:
n Cigarette butts are the most litteredmicro-sized item on our roadways (24.5%).
n Motorists, garbage trucks, and unsecured loads contribute to over 79% of roadway litter n Interstates are the most littered type of roadway,
with an average of 10,178 pieces of litter per mile.
“Louisiana is full of natural beauty andone of the easiest ways to see it is by driving our roads and highways. As auto dealers, we are proud to offer this free, simple solution to Louisiana driverstohelp preserve our state’sbeauty. If we all take steps to address this problem where it starts, we can prevent further trash from appearing on our roadways,” said LADA President and CEO Coulter McMahen.
Nungesser said, “Each year,local governments and other agencies spendmore than $91 million cleaning up litter and illegal dumping. It’stime we turn the tide on littering, and Iamexcited to launch this new partnership with Louisiana’sauto dealers. Not only will thishelp prevent more waste from accumulating in ourcommunities, but it will also reduce the burden on taxpayers who are footing the bill to clean it up. The solution is simple, but it takes all of us to do our part.”
5.10% FIXED CD 4.80%
*APY means Annual PercentageYield. APYassumesprincipaland interest remainondeposit for7 or 11 monthsatcurrent respective rate. The APYisaccurateasof08/22/2024. The minimum balance required to openanaccountand earn theadvertisedAPY is $500. A penalty maybeimposed forearlywithdrawal. Fees can reduce earnings on theaccount. Cannotbecombined withany other CD bump or offer. At maturity,the CD willautomatically renewfor same term at the prevailing rateunless redeemed within 10 days of maturity.Rates and offerare subjecttochangewithoutnotice. Contact aFirst Guaranty Bank representative formoredetails.
PROVIDED PHOTO
From left, are Dawn Birdsong,Mighty Moms co-founder;Michelle Parrish, Livingston Parish Librarydirector;and Beth McCormick, Mighty Momsco-founder,infront of Mighty Moms’ Go Fresh vanduring its public debut at the Livingston Parish Library’sDenham Springs-Walker Branch on July 10. In September,Mighty Moms and the Livingston Parish Librarywill partner for aSOUPER September food driveinrecognition of Childhood Hunger Awareness Month.
AirProductssupportscancerresearch, recyclingatfishingrodeo
Community news report
Air Products Lake Maurepas Community Fundrecentlydonatedof$10,000 tothe Louisiana Friends Against Childhood Cancer and $5,500tothe Louisiana Recycling Coalition as partofthe 38th AnnualBlind River Bar Gar Fish Rodeo.
“Blind River Bar was proud tohost this important fundraiser to fight childhoodcancer,”saidDustin Clouatre,owner of Blind River Bar.“This event raises funds through sponsorships, donations and jambalaya sells. The real winner is LFACC withover $15,000 raised. Thanks to Air Productsfor their generous donationand to everyone
that participated. It was arecord year for fundraising and the amount of fishermen.”
Danna LeBlanc, commercial executive director of the LouisianaClean Energy Complex, said the gar fish rodeo is afun tradition for fishermen and boaters on Blind River and Lake Maurepas that raises money for Louisiana FriendsAgainst Childhood Cancer,which ultimately benefits cancer treatment and research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Weare passionateabout keeping communities whereweoperate healthy andwere proud to support this locally led effort to fight childhood cancer,” LeBlanc said “In addition, our Air ProductsLakeMaurepas
National Hunting andFishingDay setfor Sept. 28, Wildlifeand Fisheries announces
Community news report
Louisiana’sNational Huntingand Fishing Day will be Sept. 28 at four locations the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced.
Waddill Wildlife Refuge, 4142 North Flannery Road, Baton Rouge, will host activities from 8a.m. to 1p.m.
Woodworth Shooting Range in Woodworth, the TomMerrill Recreation Area at Bodcau Wildlife Management Area in Haughton,and BlackBayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe alsowill host events, sponsoredby the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation. Visit https://www.wlf louisiana.gov/page/nhfd for information.
NHFD has become atra-
dition since its establishment in the early 1970s. Every fourth Saturday in September is dedicated to Louisiana’spopular outdoor pastimes. LDWF introduced its first NHFD event in 1982 at the Monroe DistrictOffice.Otherlocations followed through the years. Each location’sevent varies but all include exhibits on LDWF’sresearch and conservation efforts, shootingand fishingdemonstrations, and exhibits from local chapters of Ducks Unlimited, the Safari Club and the Coastal Conservation Association, as well as local businesses. Attendees can trytheir skillsatthe shooting ranges, fishingponds, andboating activities, and learn about wildlife with live animal demonstrations.
Tickfaw resident serving aboard USSRonald Reagan
PROVIDED PHOTO BY SEAMAN KYREE ROGERS Seaman Cayden Cyprian,from Tickfaw, handles astopper on amooring line on the fantail of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier,USS Ronald Reagan, as it pulls into Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., July 23.
Community news report
Southeastern Louisiana University English instructor,writer-in-residence and Louisiana Poet Laureate Alison Pelegrin has received$50,000asa 2024 Poet Laureate Fellow The award is one of 22 distributed across the country by the Academy of American Poets, a news release said. Through her Lifelines Prison Poetry Project, Pelegrin will facilitate poetryworkshops in 10 prisonsand jails and five community centers. She will createa project website featuring four Lifelines podcasts, each of which will introduce
be printed on posters to be distributed statewide. As aculminating event, Pelegrinwillpresent the project at the New Orleans Poetry Festival. Aresident of Covington, Pelegrin is the author of several collections, including Our Lady of Bewilderment (LSU Press, 2022), which won the Phillip H. McMath Post Publication Book Award in Poetry.She is the recipient offellowships and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Louisiana Division of the Arts, the Foundation for Louisiana, andthe Louisiana Board of Regents. Pelegrin has taught
Community Fund also made adonation to cover thecostofhaving OspreyInitiative, in partnership with Louisiana Recycling Coalition, on hand to collect recyclable material at the event, which will lead to ahealthier, safer and moreenjoyable boating experience on Blind River and Lake Maurepas.”
“Thanks for all the help from our core groupthatmakes these events so successful,” said David Stevens,president of Louisiana Friends Against Childhood Cancer Forty-four boats entered the event, which ultimatelyraised more than $15,000 for Louisiana FriendsAgainst Childhood Cancer.After taking the collected products off-site to be recycled, the group will also
analyze the types of materials to make recommendations for future recycling efforts in the area.
“Proud of the Osprey team forpulling off our first water-based recycling event. Three miles fromthe closestroadand ourteam adapted to avery (unusual) situation. It was apleasure working with the Blind River Bar and abig thanks to Air Products and Louisiana Recycling Coalition for their support of this project,” said Don Bates, president of the Osprey Initiative.
Air Products is developingthe Louisiana Clean Energy Complex, which will create a blue hydrogen production plant, according to anews release.
Nurse-midwifejoins Magnolia Obstetrics &Gynecology
Communitynewsreport
Nurse-midwife Paige Falgout has joined the team of providers at Magnolia Obstetrics &Gynecology,a department of North Oaks Medical Center,and is accepting new patients.
Falgout’slong-standing connection with Tangipahoa Parish and North Oaks, which began in her youth as ajunior volunteer and participant in the health system’s medical shadowing program, makes herreturna full-circlemoment, anews release said.
“Returningtomyhometown to join the Magnolia Obstetrics &Gynecologyteam is adream come true,”said Falgout. “Supporting women through such atransformative phaseoftheir livesand helping them achieve their desired birth experiences is incredibly rewarding.”
Falgout has an expansive
background caring for women in both hospitals and birthing centers, the release said. Hermedical career began in 2011 as aregistered nurse at North Oaks Medical Center in the TelemetryUnit, whereshe worked for three years before spending seven years in the Labor and Delivery Unit. After advancing her training to become anurse-midwife, she worked in the field for two years in Baton Rouge, providing comprehensive care for women during the antepartum, intrapartum andpostpartum stages of childbirth.
midwifery services and enhances the personalized care options available to our patients. Paige’sdedication and passion fornurse-midwifery align perfectly with our mission to improvelives.”
earned amaster’sdegree in nursing-midwifery from Frontier Nursing University in Versailles, Kentucky.She is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.
“Weare thrilled to welcome Paige home,” said Saleta Costanza, MSPH, vice president of the primary care and population health service lines for North Oaks Health System. “Her expertise strengthens our nurse-
Falgout added, “My goal is to always address each patient’sprimary concerns at the start of their visit. This approach puts my patients at ease and demonstrates my genuine care for their wellbeing. Shared decision-making is crucial; Iaim to present evidence-based recommendations,discussoptions thoroughly and empower my patients to make decisions that best suit their family and health needs.”
Falgoutgraduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with abachelor’s degree in nursing. She then
Falgout belongs to the American College of NurseMidwives and the National Association of Nurse PractitionersinWomen’s Health organization
Certifiednurse-midwives are nationally certified, statelicensed advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in providing practical, direct obstetric assistance andguidance.Theyare credentialed to collaborate with physicians in Louisiana to providegynecologicalcare, as well as obstetric care for pregnancy,childbirth and the postpartum period. To schedule an appointment with Falgout, call (985) 230-2778.
Board-certified in bothInternal Medicine and Infectious Diseases by the American BoardofInternal Medicine, Dr.Menon brings extensive expertise in managing awiderange of infectious conditions, including multidrug-resistant infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis, urinary tract infections, wound infections, bone and joint infections, and HIV/AIDS.
Visit northoaks.org/menon to learn moreabout Dr.Menon.
“I sincerely strive to provide compassionateand non-stigmatizing caretopeople living with HIV. The long-term relationshipsI cultivate with patients areone of the best aspects of being an infectious diseaseprovider,” Dr.Menon shares. Call (985) 230-2778 to schedulean
Falgout
SLU instructor receivedPoet Laureate Fellowship Pelegrin
LouisianaMainStreetannounces 2024 communities
Community news report
Lt. Gov.Billy Nungesserand Louisiana Main Street announce the 24 Louisiana communities designated as Accredited Main Street America programs for 2024.
These MainStreet organizations have met performance standards set by the National Main StreetCenter and recognized for their exemplary commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach,according to a news release.
Towns in the regions include:
n Denham Springs, Livingston Parish
n Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish
n Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish
n St. Francisville, West Feliciana Parish.
The rest of the communities areAbbeville, Vermilion Parish; Crowley,Acadia Parish; Franklin, St. Mary Parish; Homer,ClaiborneParish; Houma, Terrebonne Parish; Leesville, Vernon Parish; Monroe, Ouachita Parish;Morgan City,St. Mary Parish; Natchitoches, NatchitochesParish; New Iberia, Iberia Parish; Old Algiers, New Orleans, OrleansParish; Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans, Orleans Parish; New Roads, Pointe Coupee Parish; Opelousas, St. Landry Parish; Ruston, Lincoln Parish; Springhill, Webster Parish;St. Martinville, St. Martin Parish; Thibodaux,Lafourche Parish; West Monroe,Ouachita Parish;and Winnsboro,Franklin Parish.
“Thehistoric downtownsand neighborhoods in our state give each area asense of uniqueness, place, and character that sets one apart from theother.These commercial districts arethe heartand soul of thecommunitiesinwhich theyare located,” Nungesser said.
“Therevitalization of theseareasprovides small businesses with great locations to set up shop, help increase tax revenue fortheir localgovernments, and draw morevisitorsto thedowntown area. It’sanhonor to be able to recognize these 24 Louisiana communities who haveworked diligently to revitalize their social cohesion and economic sustainability,” he said.
TheLouisianaMain Street program has documented impact, reachingahistoric investment milestone of $1 billion in public and private investment in 2022, accordingtothe release. Of that investment, $520 million was private investmentswith theremaining$527million in public investments. Other keystatistics during that time include:
n Creation of 15,502 net new jobs
n 3,713 net new businesses
n More than $461 million in new construction or rehabilitation of buildings n More than 2million volunteer hours.
In 2023, the Main Street America programs generated $5.68 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,630 net newbusinesses, facilitated thecreation of 35,162 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,556 historic buildings, andleveraged 1,664,763 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that aMain Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $18.03 of newinvestment back into their downtown and commercial corridor communities.
Louisiana Main Street annually evaluates each state organization’sperformance, working in partnershipwith the National Main Street Center,toidentify local programs that meet rigorous nationalcommunity evaluation standards.
These standardsprovide the Main Street America network with astrong foundational frameworktoreview progress, recognize strengths, understand trends, and identify strategies that move Main Street programs forward. To quality for Accredited status —Main Street America’stop designation tier —communities must demonstrate a proven track recordofachieving outcomesin alignment with the Main Street Approach andexceptionalperformance in sixareas: broad-based community commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity; diversified funding and sustainable program operations; strategy-driven programming; preservation-based economic development; and demonstrated impact and results
FILE PHOTO
In 2021, Main Street Denham Springsmembers, from left, Donna Jennings, director,Pat Genre, Marsha Watt, Helen Turner and JennyBauer met to planastrategy forattracting newmembers to assist the group
Hammond Downtown Development District wonthe 2022 Great