Water, gas lines aim to boost Raceland economy

Citing the potential for economic growth along La. Highway 182 in Raceland, the Lafourche Parish Council has voted to invest in attracting businesses to the centrally-located roadway.

They approved $100,000 to extend water and natural gas lines 1,700 feet between the Raceland Raw Sugar plant and the intersection of La. Highway 182 and U.S. 90 in Raceland. Additionally, the lines will run under the highway to accommodate businesses on the south side of La. Highway 182.

The measure passed with eight affirmative votes and one recusal as District 7 councilman L. Phillip Gouaux stated he does business with the sugar plant and therefore should not vote on the measure.

Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph said the plans will make La. Highway 182 a better place for new businesses. Randolph said the hope is that property taxes paid by the new businesses, along with the sales taxes paid by employees will more than pay the parish back for its investment.

“It’s an investment early on for infrastructure to ensure that we don’t lose out when it comes to comparing one area to another,” Randolph said.

Genesis Energy has already built a $75 million plant along La. 182. Virdia and South Coast Gas have announced plans to build plants along the thoroughfare. South Coast Gas is paying for half of the natural gas line construction, according to parish officials. The parish is paying for construction of the water line in full.

Councilman Lindell Toups of District 6 said he knows of another business that’s committed to the area – although he refused to mention it by name – and he expressed hopes that in the next two years there will be four or five new businesses operating along La. Highway 182.

“It’s going to help central Lafourche and the tax base,” Toups said.

District 9 Councilman Daniel Lorraine expressed displeasure toward the parish spending money in an effort to attract business. But he voted in favor of it after learning the $100,000 would come from Road Sales Tax District A – the area in which the project will take place, and money that could not be used for any projects in his district.

“There’s a lot of people that participate in the parish, but I see a lot of things that we pay completely for that some people and some companies should participate, but they don’t,” Lorraine said. “I could name you on one hand the ones that participate throughout this parish and helped us but there are some locations they want the parish always to pay for.

“So if there’s any businesses out there that need something, just come to the council, and we’ll dish it out,” he added sarcastically.

“I think there will be some discussion first,” responded Randolph.

Work on the lines could begin next month, and is expected to take about 30 days once it starts.