SWLA RESILIENT
by George Swift
It’s no secret that the effects of Hurricanes Laura and Delta linger. You can see the impact as you ride throughout our region. There are literally thousands of homes and businesses still awaiting repairs. Settlements with insurance companies, lack of contractors, and back orders for building materials, windows, air conditioners, appliances, and furniture are keeping our area in recovery mode. While Louisiana and in particular, our five-parish region, await a federal disaster appropriation, rebuilding continues at less than a desired pace. However, the industrial outlook continues to provide hope for our region’s recovery.
Now, almost eleven months after Hurricane Laura devastated our area, the usual federal funding response has not taken place. Census figures are to be released in September, but an accurate picture of how many residents have left the area may not be known. A good barometer of population loss will be school enrollment. With over 8500 persons unemployed and over 11,500 positions open in our five parishes, there are jobs available for everyone. Wages have gone up as well as prices on goods and services. The state discontinued the $300 weekly unemployment enhancement at the end of July 2021 which should encourage folks to return to the workforce. Training programs are available, some with scholarships at SOWELA , McNeese, and
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ABC School. The new M.J. Foster Promise Program passed by the legislature will, starting next year, provide scholarships for adults over 21 wishing to retrain at our technical community colleges. Many residents are hindered by the lack of affordable housing. Long term recovery plans from the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury will be revealed soon and implementation of that plan is absolutely necessary for our region to make a full recovery. The Chamber SWLA continues to push our Louisiana Congressional Delegation to find a way to pass the $3 billion Disaster Relief Appropriation as requested by Governor Edwards and supported by our local officials. These funds are essential for housing and strengthening our infrastructure for the future.
Thrive
Recently, some major projects are taking shape which give credibility to the belief that despite massive hurricane damage, our region is on the rebound. In Beauregard Parish, one of the first major industrial announcements in over forty years was made. Canfor Corporation will build a $160 million state-of-the-art lumber mill at the Louisiana Economic Development Certified Site at the Beauregard Regional Airport in DeRidder. This facility will create 130 jobs and 385 indirect jobs. This is the first project for the airport which should lead to more industrial expansion on the 1,100 acre mega-site. Another Canadian company, Interfor, has announced plans to re-open the shuttered Georgia Pacific Lumber Mill in DeQuincy which will bring jobs to that area.
2021 - Annual Issue
