USDA Rural Development Housing Administrator Tammye Trevino and Rural Development Louisiana State Director Clarence Hawkins kick-started the new year by holding a White House Business Council Stakeholder’s meeting in Luling, Louisiana, located in St. Charles Parish near New Orleans.  The focus of the stakeholder’s meeting was rural housing.  The focus fit perfectly in line with Administrator Trevino’s primary reason for visiting Louisiana.

Administrator Trevino, along with Bryan Hooper, Deputy Administrator of USDA’s Multi-Family Housing Division each served as presenters on the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH) 2012 mid-year meeting in New Orleans.  CARH is a national nonprofit trade organization focusing on issues affecting rural housing.  The theme for this year’s meeting was “Transforming Rural Housing: Innovative Tools and Dynamic Initiatives for Tomorrow.” Read more »

Recently, about 150 people came out to show their support for the new Hampton Inn & Suites of Marksville at their grand opening in Avoyelles Parish in Louisiana. USDA Rural Development State Director Clarence W. Hawkins joined Thomas G. Christopoulos (owner) along with representatives from Cenla Chambers of Commerce; Daniel Decuir, Marksville Mayor Pro Tem; and other dignitaries to introduce the new 77 room hotel to the city. The hotel will provide an estimated 15 new jobs for area residents.

“Rural Development will continue to invest in the development of our rural communities throughout the State of Louisiana,” said State Director Hawkins. This new hotel will impact the Town of Marksville by creating jobs, furnishing accommodations for the overflow of visitors and it is the first brand name hotel to come to Marksville, Louisiana. Read more »

Louisiana Municipal Association Executive Director Tom Ed McHugh (Left) and Rural Development State Director, Clarence W. Hawkins at a recent outreach meeting in Louisiana.

As part of USDA’s commitment to outreach, Louisiana Rural Development State Director Clarence Hawkins and staff went “on the road” with the Louisiana Municipal Association in June and July to continue reaching out to municipal officials across the state. These meetings were hosted by LMA’s district vice presidents in Louisiana. Read more »

The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Farm Service Agency in Louisiana hosted a Jobs and Economic Growth Roundtable in Alexandria, bringing together more than 30 community leaders, business owners, and residents from across the state to discuss what is needed to create jobs and economic development in rural Louisiana.

“This is in response to a request from President Obama” said Clarence Hawkins, Rural Development State Director and moderator of the roundtable. “The Obama Administration is currently exploring every avenue available to foster job creation and USDA Rural Development has been tasked nationally to take the lead in this effort. Your input in identifying obstacles and opportunities will be provided to the United States Department of Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, and to the White House.”

The discussion centered on infrastructure, spanning the need for better transportation to possible solutions in developing more production ready sites. The group identified Louisiana’s strengths which included health care, energy services, and law enforcement. Obstacles discussed included lack of a skilled workforce, lack of capital for small businesses, and the need to further develop and strengthen the state’s infrastructure. Much discussion centered around the impact on Louisiana’s forest industry with recent paper mill closings in the state.

USDA officials discussed the resources that are invested in Louisiana including funds for housing, businesses, community infrastructure and facilities, broadband, farming, biomass, and conservation. These all create jobs. All agreed in the importance of state and federal agencies collaborating to educate each and every rural community in the state.

In summary, Hawkins stated, “This group identified a serious need for additional funds to renovate and develop infrastructure, as that serves as the foundation for us to attract the industries that will provide the jobs we need in Louisiana.”

USDA Rural Development Louisiana State Director Clarence W. Hawkins welcomes attendees to the Roundtable on Jobs and Economic Growth held Tuesday, January 26, 2010, in Alexandria, Louisiana

Some of the attendees at the Roundtable on Jobs and Economic Growth held Tuesday, January 26, 2010, in Alexandria, Louisiana, sponsored by USDA Rural Development and USDA Farm Service Agency

Submitted by Karen Nardini on behalf of Clarence W. Hawkins, State Director, USDA Rural Development, Louisiana

To learn more, go to the Rural Development and FSA Job Roundtables Schedule, and the News Release, “USDA to Host Roundtables on Jobs, Economic Growth”