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A local developer is advocating for crucial infrastructure improvements to foster economic development within the newly designated Economic Development Districts along Interstate 10 between Lacassine and Roanoke.
In addressing the police jury on Wednesday, real estate developer Salman Chaudhry, emphasized the importance of investing in the I-10 corridor, especially the La. 395 area north of Roanoke, for infrastructure funding and expansion.
“It’s a cycle,” Chaudhry said. “You take infrastructure, you draw in new business which creates more revenue, which creates more infrastructure, and without someone really putting it in motion, it’s going to just be sitting around, really not creating any revenue for anybody.”
Many areas within the district are suitable for development but lack essential infrastructure, such as roads, waterlines, and other utilities, which prevents them from being “shovel ready,” he said. He stressed that attracting new businesses and industries is challenging without the updates.
“It’s a cycle,” he said. “You take infrastructure, you draw in new business which creates more revenue, which creates more infrastructure, and without someone really putting it in motion, it’s going to just be sitting around, really not creating any revenue for anybody.”
Chaudhry also raised concerns about the lack of revenue generated within the new Economic Development Districts. Currently, Peto’s I-10 Travel Center off La. 395 in Roanoke is the only business located there, but it was grandfathered in and does not contribute to the district’s funds.
The Economic Development Districts were established to allow the parish to add up to a two-cent sales tax on goods and services sold within the district to fund infrastructure improvements.
Chaudhry,said the sales tax would be passed on to customers and would be reinvested into the area, generating more income and business, rather than impacting property owners or businesses directly. By excluding businesses like Peto’s, the district is losing out on potential funds crucial for utility and infrastructure updates, he said.
Chaudhry, proposed including Peto’s and other nearby businesses in the Economic Development District, estimating that the 2 percent sales tax from those businesses could potentially generate $70,000 to $100,000 annually, which the police jury could use for infrastructure improvements.
Creating Economic Development Districts without ensuring they generate income is pointless, he said, as developers will simply move their projects “down the road,” if they face significant unexpected infrastructure costs.
Earlier in the meeting Economic Development Director Cesilee Oliver provided an overview of her initiatives to attract new industries and retail businesses to the area by focusing on available properties.
Since assuming office in June, Oliver has been actively working with the Louisiana Economic Development (LED), submitting information on available property and suitable sites to interested companies. Many of the companies are seeking 50 to 100 acres with potential for expansion, and Oliver believes suitable land is available.
She recently submitted a proposal for a company with a $32 million capital expenditure, which is projected to create 116 jobs in the parish with an average annual salary of $60,000.
According to Oliver, many of the projects promise significant positive economic impact and would greatly benefit the community.
A key focus of her work has been to certify more “shovel ready” properties. While LED has identified several sites as ready for industry, many are currently zoned for agriculture rather than industrial use. Two properties in Lacassine and one in Roanoke have received state certification, and efforts are underway to certify a property in Silverwood. Additionally, two properties in Lacassine have been designated as Strategic Sites Inventory (SSI), indicating they are “development-ready.”
Oliver noted that many landowners are interested in rezoning and selling their properties.
She recently met with a site consultant from Texas who stressed that properties not zoned for industry are automatically excluded from consideration, making it difficult to attract businesses to the parish.
To address this, Oliver proposed collaboration with the police jury to rezone properties for industrial use and streamline the rezoning process to help attract more businesses, create jobs for community members, increase taxpayer dollars, and boost property millages. Police Jury President Steve Eastman said landowners should approach the police jury about rezoning the property, and expressed a willingness to work with landowners to rezone their properties.