FY23 Community Projects
Project Name: CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital Alternative Water Project
Intended Recipient: CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
Intended Recipient Address: 3330 Masonic Drive, Alexandria, LA 71301
Requested Amount: $775,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to establish a stable, alternative potable water supply for CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. Multiple times in the past few years, natural disasters have hit Alexandria, Louisiana which have caused the hospital to lose access to necessary water supply. This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because having access to a stable water supply is essential to maintain medical operations during natural disasters. Additionally, located in the state’s central evacuation area during hurricane season, it is important the hospital is fully functional and able to serve supplementary patients routed to the area. This project will ensure that the hospital will be able to continue providing life-saving medical care to patients without interruption.
Project Name: City of Alexandria, Water Main and Reservoir Improvement Project
Intended Recipient: City of Alexandria, LA
Intended Recipient Address: 915 Third Street, Alexandria, LA 71301
Requested Amount: $4,000,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to make critical enhancements to the City’s utility system’s water infrastructure. The purpose of this project would be to develop a new drinking water reservoir site, as well as the rehabilitation of the existing Adam’s Pump Station and water main connections. As the largest city in Central Louisiana, Alexandria is an economic, primary health care hub for the region, and typically, the first choice for hurricane relocation refugees. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this project will make the system more resilient against storms and provide greater access to safe drinking water supply necessary to meet the demands for the entire City of Alexandria and its residents, including traditionally under-served populations.
Project Name: City of Monroe, Calypso Street Pump Station Project
Intended Recipient: City of Monroe, LA
Intended Recipient Address: 400 Lea Joyner Expressway, Monroe, LA 71201
Requested Amount: $4,000,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to replace the outside of the levee wall and to refurbish and upgrade the Calypso Pump Station. The Calypso Pump Station discharges storm water from the 150-acre drainage basin that encompasses all of downtown Monroe, an area that includes a major medical center, the municipal and parish government centers, a federal courthouse, and numerous businesses. If the three pumps were to fail, most of downtown Monroe would flood and require evacuation. The pump station was originally constructed in the 1800’s and reconstructed at its present location in 1948. Although the pump station has been maintained with some minor upgrades to controls, a major upgrade is required to raise the floor elevation and make improvements to meet federal guidelines. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because replacement and repairs to this station will assure the reliable and resilient operations in times of rising water levels.
Project Name: City of Ruston, Multimodal Freight Interchange Project
Intended Recipient: City of Ruston, LA
Intended Recipient Address: Post Office Box 2069, Ruston, LA 71273
Requested Amount: $4,000,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to complete the design of a new Interstate 20 interchange at the current Roughedge Road overpass. This project will add an additional turn lane, construct curb and gutters with subsurface drainage, relocate all overhead utilities underground, remove a timber bridge structure, add energy efficient lighting, and add American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant pedestrian facilities. The Roughedge Road overpass is at mile marker 89, near the eastern city limits of Ruston. While there is an existing overpass, the two roads do not interchange or connect. The lack of this connection severely limits the economic opportunity on the eastern limits of Ruston and Lincoln Parish, while putting unnecessary pressure on existing City infrastructure. This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would open up access to land and economic activity while mitigating congestion and traffic within the city.
Project Name: City of West Monroe, Trenton Street Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project
Intended Recipient: City of West Monroe, LA
Intended Recipient Address: 2305 N. 7th Street, West Monroe, LA 71291
Requested Amount: $5,000,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to provide construction of 10'-wide shared-use pedestrian and bicycle paths, drainage improvements, the burial of electrical and telecommunications lines, and relocation of other utilities along the Trenton Street corridor, from Otis Street to Jackson Street. The work will continue along the intersecting streets as required for sidewalk connections. The project will also include right-of-way purchases as required. Unfortunately, there have been multiple accidents along this route and regularly downed utilities lines which have caused safety concerns for the community. This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will improve safety for pedestrians along the corridor and stabilize utilities that are at risk due to natural disasters.
Project Name: Cybersecurity Initiative at Grambling State University
Intended Recipient: Grambling State University
Intended Recipient Address: 403 Main Street, Grambling, LA 71245
Requested Amount: $2,500,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to establish a Cybersecurity Initiative that has a dual approach to increase diversity within the field of Cybersecurity. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project will help prepare students for a job in one of the fastest growing occupations in the country. The first aspect of the project involves introducing high school students and teachers to GSU’s cybersecurity program. During the academic year cybersecurity faculty will visit high schools to talk with students and teachers and to demonstrate what skills will be learned with a cybersecurity degree. During the summer months, Grambling proposes bringing high school students and teachers on campus for a Cybersecurity camp that will dive deeper into the cybersecurity field. The second aspect of the project will involve undergraduate students. This approach will introduce students to research within the field of cybersecurity and enroll them in a certificate program. During the academic year, the students will work on research with their faculty mentors and during the summer they will apply for internships to gain other experiences. Students will be given a student mentor to help them adjust to college life and navigate the program.
Project Name: Grant Parish Forensic Rapid DNA Technology for Investigations
Intended Recipient: Grant Parish Sherriff’s Office
Intended Recipient Address: Post Office Box 187, Colfax, LA 71417
Requested Amount: $462,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to purchase a Rapid DNA instrument and supplemental tools and support to help bolster law enforcement efficiency and improve community outcomes across Central Louisiana. The state crime lab has a months-long waiting period for most cases and typically will not even accept a property crime case for processing. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because a rapid DNA instrument will assist the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office in creating investigative leads in cases that are important to the local communities even if they are not important to the state lab. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office will allow surrounding law enforcement agencies in Central Louisiana to have access to the machine.
Project Name: Jackson Parish Hospital Emergency Department Renovations
Intended Recipient: Jackson Parish Hospital
Intended Recipient Address: 165 Beech Springs Road, Jonesboro, LA 71251
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to expand and renovate the Jackson Parish Hospital Emergency Department. The current Emergency Department was built in 1962 and is not suited to meet the needs of the hospital today. The renovations will include expanded patient beds, including trauma and mental health space, modern designs to ensure a seamless hospital flow, and a new entrance that is able to accommodate modern ambulances, among other improvements. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will have a substantial positive impact on the entire Parish by providing more efficient and effective care for patients, improving health outcomes, and saving lives. Jackson Parish is designated a Health Professional Shortage Area by HRSA as well as a Medically Underserved Area. As the only hospital in the Parish, Jackson Parish Hospital is a vital lifeline for citizens living there. This project will ensure the hospital has the capacity and capabilities to alleviate many of these issues, improve the health outcomes of residents, and serve as a direct investment in the care of the Fifth District's rural communities.
Project Name: LaSalle General Hospital Wellness and Therapy Expansion Project
Intended Recipient: LaSalle General Hospital
Intended Recipient Address: 187 Ninth Street, Jena, LA 71342
Requested Amount: $1,066,705
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to renovate and expand LaSalle General Hospital’s therapies and Home Health building. The current building is beyond capacity and in dire need of additional space. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide more access to care in a medically and economically underserved region of Louisiana. This project will provide an expansion to the current home health area, additional patient treatment rooms, an extended physical therapy area, and a new area to address the increasing needs in occupational and speech therapies. The expansion will allow sufficient space for patient privacy and social distancing while providing greater accessibility to wellness patrons and regular patients.
Project Name: United Programs for Health Science and Teacher Education at Louisiana Delta Community College
Intended Recipient: Louisiana Delta Community College
Intended Recipient Address: 7500 Millhaven Road, Monroe, LA 71203
Requested Amount: $1,556,100
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to create a streamlined educational program that will address workforce shortages in healthcare and education, two career paths that were most impacted by the pandemic. Unfortunately, individuals are leaving both professions at record rates and fewer students are enrolling in training programs to meet the imperative needs of rural communities. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project will bring institutions of higher education and secondary schools together to recruit and fill the workforce gaps. The program will target two groups of students: high school junior and seniors and mid-career participants looking to upskill. The programs will have clear progression map from beginning, with a high school dual enrollment component, to end, with a defined path to graduate work and a terminal degree. The program will provide a mechanism for students to enroll in multiple educational institutions therefore enabling an efficient learning system while also completing internships or apprenticeships along the way.
Project Name: Center for the Advancement of Regional Educators at LSUA
Intended Recipient: Louisiana State University-Alexandria
Intended Recipient Address: 8100 Highway 71 South, Alexandria, LA 71302
Requested Amount: $990,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to establish the Center for the Advancement of Regional Educators (CARE) initiative at LSU-Alexandria (LSUA). This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the Center will seek to greatly increase the number of certified teachers in Central Louisiana. The CARE program’s overall goal is to cut the current need in the Fifth District (approximately 600 teachers) in half by 2028. Key strategies of the program will include: a comprehensive approach toward recruiting prospective teachers: high school students, reentry students, military retirees, adults seeking a career change, and long-time school staff and substitute teachers; development of an enduring interest in the teaching profession, beginning at the elementary and middle school levels, with intentional cultivation of that interest through the high school level; multi-year commitments from graduates to teach in Fifth District Parish schools in exchange for scholarships and similar financial assistance at the university level; and retention in the profession through active outreach to and support of graduates working in their first three years in the schools. With full funding, the program has the potential to expand to school districts in 11 Parishes in Central Louisiana.
Project Name: Ouachita Parish Forensic Rapid DNA Technology for Investigations
Intended Recipient: Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office
Intended Recipient Address: 400 St. John Street, Monroe, LA 71201
Requested Amount: $706,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to purchase a Rapid DNA testing instrument, supplemental tools, and support to help bolster law enforcement efficiency and improve crime resolution outcomes across the North Louisiana Delta Region. This instrument will allow the office’s deputies, and law enforcement agencies from the local region, to process DNA samples themselves with minimal training. These samples can be processed quickly and generate investigative leads in 90 minutes as opposed to the many months it can take at the state crime lab. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this project can save time and resources to catch criminals and improve public safety to the citizens the Sheriff’s Office protects. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office will allow surrounding law enforcement agencies in the North Louisiana Delta Regional to have access to the machine.
Project Name: St. Francis Medical Center Generator Replacement
Intended Recipient: St. Francis Hospital
Intended Recipient Address: 309 Jackson Street, Monroe, LA 71201
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding for two generators for the St. Francis Medical Center. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will ensure St. Francis’ ability to provide ongoing life-saving care during a natural disaster or emergency situations. St. Francis is currently constructing a new Central Energy Plant to update the hospital’s everyday operations. The generators would be purchased to provide power to the air handling units that keep the facility cool and humidity down. The most vulnerable time for the hospital is during hurricane season since it is essential to keep humidity and water out of procedure areas. Also, with high temperatures in the summer months, heat and humidity are serious risks to patient safety. Any prolonged power outage without air conditioning would bring the hospital's operations and ability to care for the region to a halt.
Project Name: Construction on Opposite Alexandria Front Revetment John Bennett Johnston Waterway
Intended Recipient: United States Army of Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District
Intended Recipient Address: 4155 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183
Requested Amount: $3,500,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to provide structural security to the John Bennett Johnston navigation channel. Refinements to the channel alignment are necessary to improve the safety and reliability of the navigation channel as well as to reduce maintenance dredging costs. These refinements consist of reinforcing or capping out existing revetments and adding additional contraction structures (dikes) to improve navigation conditions. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will shore up the bank and help improve navigation on the river. It is also a complementary project to the Alexandria Front Dikes which were funded through Community Project Funding in FY22.
Project Name: University of Louisiana Monroe Mesonet Network
Intended Recipient: University of Louisiana- Monroe
Intended Recipient Address: 700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA 71209
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Project Description: This community project request seeks funding to purchase equipment to support the installation of 100 mesonet sites across Louisiana. A mesonet is a network of environmental and weather monitoring devices that provides critical information for research, education, and decision making across a variety of sectors, including early warning systems for severe and hazardous weather, forecasting for aviation, and agriculture production. Currently, an incomplete network of environmental monitoring sites is operational across Louisiana. The current situation results in an inadequate collection of environmental data since the atmosphere can vary greatly over very short distances and short lengths of time. This also leaves many areas in the state without any monitoring at all. This project will complement the current sites, while also closing the monitoring gap across Louisiana. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would provide enhanced regional monitoring that would expand ability to predict severe weather events before disaster strikes and provide early warning for citizens, especially during hurricane season.