Gov. Jindal Announces Capital Outlay Funding For Southwest Louisiana | Business

Governor Bobby Jindal announced the capital construction proposal for the next fiscal year (FY 2013), which includes millions in funding for projects in Southwest Louisiana. The proposal was submitted today to the Legislature in the form of House Bill 2.

Some of the key projects include $9 million for construction of the Port of Lake Charles Access Road, $3.5 million for the construction of an event center at the West Calcasieu Community Center, and $3 million for a new hangar at Chennault Airport.

Governor Jindal said, “As we continue to seek new business investment, this funding will help make Southwest Louisiana more attractive to companies looking to expand or invest in our state.”

Transportation Investments for Southwest Louisiana

• $4.5 million for construction of the Port of Lake Charles Access Road in Calcasieu Parish, with $4.5 million in Priority 5 funding, for a total investment of $9 million;
• $990,000 for construction of the 1-10 North Frontage road in the city of Scott in Lafayette Parish;
• $750,000 for improvements to Ellis and Linda Drive in Westlake in Calcasieu parish;
• $500,000 for a rail loading facility at the Agri-Industrial Park at Lacassine in Jefferson Davis Parish;
• $300,000 for the command and control center at the City Docks at the Port of Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish;
• $195,000 for LEEVAC improvements at the Port of Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish;
• $150,000 to construct a three-lane highway at LA 182 in the city of Broussard in Lafayette Parish, with $2.1 million in Priority five funding for a total investment of $2.25 million;
• $40,000 for repairs to the Third Street West Bridge in Jefferson Davis parish.

Higher Education Investments for Southwest Louisiana:

• $2.88 million for new emergency generator and chillers for the LSU Healthcare Sciences Division in Lafayette Parish;
• $2 million for McNeese State University in Calcasieu Parish to upgrade to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• $340,000 for the renovation of the Shearman Fine Arts Building at McNeese State University in Calcasieu Parish, with $3.06 million in Priority 5 funding, for a total investment of $3.4 million;
• $800,000 for renovations to Alpha Hall at McNeese State University in Calcasieu Parish.

Additional Investments for Southwest Louisiana:

• $3.5 million for the construction of an event center at the West Calcasieu Community Center;
• $3 million for a new hangar at Chennault Airport in Calcasieu Parish;
• $1 million to correct fire marshal and health department violates at Phelps Correctional Center in Beauregard Parish;
• $900,000 for the Office of Wildlife’s Lake Charles office, with $8.1 million in Priority 5 funding, for a total investment of $9 million;
• $500,000 for construction of a multipurpose building at Chennault Airport in Calcasieu Parish;
• $210,000 for an emergency backup generation at Phelps Correctional Center in Beauregard Parish.
• $200,000 for the construction of a community center in Youngsville in Lafayette Parish, with $2.3 million in Priority 5 funding for a total investment of $2.5 million;

The Division of Administration’s Office of Facility Planning and Control annually prepares the capital outlay bill, submitting it to the Legislature on the eighth day of the legislative session.