DISASTER RECOVERY PLANNING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

• August 20, 2009

Acadiana Regional Development District has been awarded a 3-year Technical Assistance Grant from Economic Development Administration Division (EDA) of the United States Department of Commerce to provide services to the communities in the 8 parishes of Acadiana, namely:  Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion. Some of the specific tasks and issues to be addressed include:

1.  Working with local communities and parishes on economic recovery efforts, with an emphasis on analyzing the short and long term impact of the recent hurricanes on local businesses;
2. Notifying the federal government (Austin Regional Office of EDA) of plant closures or significant downsizing, and/or disaster designations;
3. Assistance in creating new jobs, retaining existing jobs and creating economic opportunities for local residents, especially those at or below the poverty level;
4. Coordinate economic development planning and implementation with other economic development organizations within the region;
5. Provide technical assistance to local member agencies regarding industrial parks, economic development programs, business development, land use programs;
6. Provide technical assistance to potential public or private applicants for EDA grant and loan funds which increases economic development opportunities; and,
7. Provide technical assistance to member governments on workforce development and regional competitiveness and air quality compliance.

Please contact Grayling Hadnott, Economic Development Director, for technical assistance at ghadnott @ ardd.org or telephone 337-886-7782.