At its March 17 meeting, the Natchitoches Parish Council discussed securing funding for infrastructure and public service projects, centering around broadband expansion, rural transit funding, and federal grant opportunities.
Parish officials recently met with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for a debrief on an unsuccessful application for a Local Project Discretionary Grant (MPGG). The feedback from this meeting will be used to strengthen future applications for transportation-related grants. While the program’s reopening timeline remains unclear, officials are optimistic about improving their chances in upcoming funding cycles.
Additionally, the parish is preparing to submit applications for congressionally directed spending (CDS) and community project funding (CPF) requests through Louisiana’s U.S. senators and representatives. While no official application deadlines have been announced, officials are closely monitoring opportunities, as representatives in other states have already begun accepting proposals.
Several priority projects have been identified for federal funding, including a vehicle enforcement initiative and a community center project, both of which align with federal priorities. The courthouse restoration project is also being considered for potential funding.
With federal legislators typically allowing up to three CDS submissions, parish officials are strategically selecting projects that maximize funding potential across multiple subcommittees. Moving forward, they will continue tracking federal funding announcements and coordinating with legislative partners to prepare applications.
Swift Communications provided an update on the fiber optic installation project aimed at expanding high-speed internet access in underserved areas of the parish. The project, covering 225,000 feet of fiber along major highways, involves close coordination with local water systems to prevent utility disruptions. Contractors from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia are contributing to the project, which will be completed in phases. Officials emphasized that efficient communication is key to minimizing service interruptions during installation.
The rural public transit program, which provides transportation for residents needing medical visits, grocery shopping, and essential services, is facing a funding shortfall. The program recently exhausted its $10,500 in parish-allocated funds, leading to a pause in services until additional support is secured.
To address this issue, officials are working to integrate Medicaid funding into the program. If successful, Medicaid reimbursements would cover 100% of trip costs, reducing the need for local matching funds. Training for Medicaid-covered trips is expected to be completed by the end of the month, with hopes of launching in April.
Despite the funding shortfall, the program has achieved significant cost efficiency improvements by relocating vehicle parking closer to service areas and acquiring fuel-efficient vehicles. Over the past five months, it has completed:
99 days of service
250 trips covering nearly 3,000 miles
An average of 13.5 trips per passenger
60% of trips for medical purposes and 40% for groceries/errands
To extend operations while awaiting Medicaid funding, officials proposed an additional $5,250 in parish funding, which they would match to help sustain services in the short term.
In addition to funding discussions, the Parish Council approved several board appointments:
Lauren Sharpton – Natchitoches Parish Tourism Commission Board
Dee Dee Dungan – Natchitoches Parish Housing Authority Board
Steven Clanton – North Louisiana Human Services Department due to the resignation of Mark Guidry
Ricky LaCour – Natchitoches Parish Tourism Commission Board
Michael Richardson – Natchitoches Fire District 4 Board
The council also introduced ordinances related to planning and zoning fee waivers during parish-declared emergencies and discussed budget concerns for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which has seen funding reductions impacting staffing and services.
One of the meeting’s key decisions involved the Public Works Director nomination of Joey Creamer, which failed to pass ( Council members Allen, Cheatwood and Braxton voted against it). Officials will need to revisit the selection process.
