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Nearly six months after a major shake-up to its economic development plan was announced, Terrebonne Parish is moving forward – if incrementally – toward achieving its goals.
Parish officials say the changes, which include de-funding of the legislatively-created entity that was to have spearheaded economic development, are for the better. But they also note that the nuts-and-bolts aspects of development plans have in large part occurred with minimal development of the troubled Terrebonne Economic Development Authority.
While that entity will continue to exist – it was created by the Louisiana Legislature and no bills de-authorizing it have been floated at this point – its task for now is one of determining how to meet what functions it is charged with performing, while staying out of the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government’s way.
TEDA chairman Louis “Bubba” Watkins has stated in public meetings that he hopes “the parish would continue to use us for the expertise and experience that we have gained as board members.”
That may well occur. But while TEDA focuses on laying off its small staff and disassembling the bulk of its operation, the parish is moving forward with its in-house program.
The present as well as the future are bright, according to Parish President Michel Claudet.
“We are booming in Terrebonne,” he said. “The only thing limiting our growth is the need for a more skilled workforce. The offshore oil boom should continue for the foreseeable future.”
The need for affordable housing remains, Claudet acknowledged.
At the Government Tower on Main Street a new member of the in-house staff is settling into her job. Hired just a little over two weeks ago, Katherine Gilbert has just begun seeing to her duties.
“We have started staffing up our internal department,” said Parish Manager Al Levron, who is Gilbert’s uncle. He acknowledges the blood tie but notes that he was not involved with her hiring. He will also not be involved with supervising her. That task falls to Planning Director Pat Gordon.
Levron describes Gilbert as an experienced planner. She most recently worked for the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission as a development specialist. Prior to that she worked for TEDA but resigned.
Gilbert, who lives in Houma, is not the head of the in-house development department. That position has yet to be filled.
Her title is marketing coordinator, and one of her first tasks was to fill a request for information on the state of the parish’s economy.
Two publicly-owned entities still contribute the biggest number of jobs to Terrebonne according to the latest available figures, which are from 2012, with a private oilfield-related firm – Gulf Island – sandwiched in between.
The School Board employed 2,460 people and Gulf Island Fabrication 2,200. Terrebonne General Medical Center employed 1,362 people.
Sales tax collections remain on the rise, with more than $29.5 million from general merchandise in 2013, up from $25.3 million in 2011.
In 2011 sales taxes from lumber, building and related contracting concerns totaled $18.8 million, rising to $23.5 million in 2013. Overall, sales tax collections rose from $100,914,023.82 in 2011 to $125,494,303.00 in 2013.
“In regard to industries driving the parish economy, the top sectors employing people in Terrebonne Parish are manufacturing, retail, and health care and social assistance,” a recent state economic report states. “(These are) followed closely by mining activities and accommodation and food services.”
