Support Is Needed From Parish Leaders

Support Is Needed From Parish Leaders

BOBBY ARDOIN

Editor/Consulting Writer

Economic, civic and elected officials need to develop a more cooperative and optimistic attitude if St. Landry Parish is expected to continue positive growth, members of the Opelousas Noon Rotary Club were told on Tuesday.

Bill Rodier, executive director of St. Landry’s Economic And Development District challenged parish leaders to abandon petty quarrels and “put aside their bickering and negative things,” which he said ultimately affects parishwide progress.

“Groups like we have here in this room have the ability to change attitudes. However, our parish leaders need to show a more positive attitude and put aside their differences,” Rodier told the Rotarians.

During his presentation Rodier discussed several topics that included the I-49 corridor south of Public School District

Opelousas, potential development inside the business district and the parishwide public school district which he said is currently positioned at a crossroads.

A strong public school system is an essential ingredient for economic success, Rodier said.

At this point the St. Landry District is at a pivotal point, Rodier pointed out.

Rodier complimented the current District leadership, but Rodier added that school officials need the help of the business and civic communities to change the public perception of the parish educational process.

“What kind of impact are you providing to the (school) District?” Rodier asked Rotarians.

Rodier recalled a discussion that he had last year with students involved in the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates).

Only several of the 200 JAG students who attended the event, Rodier said, indicated that they planned to remain in the parish following graduation.

“That told me that our graduates don’t see a future in St. Landry,” added Rodier.

The parish school system is also facing the difficult decision of how to operate efficiently and more economically, said Rodier.

Rodier reminded the Rotarians that St. Landry is a geographically large parish of 940 square miles that currently has 34 public school campuses.

How the District continues to operate within those expansive boundaries is an issue that is obviously difficult to resolve, Rodier said.

I-49 Improvement

The economic impact of businesses that have developed along the interstate area incorporated by the city will soon receive enhancement, as new LED lighting will be installed at all interchanges between U.S. 190 and the Guilbeau Road exit, Rodier said.

Residential and commercial development throughout St. Landry is expanding, noted Rodier.

Rodier said residential developments are continuing to develop south of Sunset and along La. 93 between Sunset and Arnaudville.

Areas between Port Barre and Krotz Springs have the potential for business development, while Eunice has shown expansion both commercially and in the retail sector, Rodier said.

Rodier said the Love’s Truck Stop that opened in 2023 off I-49 is experiencing phenomenal commercial success.

“I’ve been told that fuel sales from Love’s in Opelousas has exceeded all of the Love’s truck stops in all of the United States,” Rodier said.

Opelousas Business

Downtown Opelousas needs to preserve the existing historic buildings rather than razing them and investing in new construction, said Rodier.

“Those buildings have a history that you cannot recreate. Tearing them down and putting new businesses up destroys the character of the downtown,” added Rodier.