$1.46 million in State Funding headed to Avoyelles Parish

By: Amy Ducote

Avoyelles Parish is set to receive more than $1.46 million in additional state funding for road improvements, an animal shelter, parish equipment and other local projects, though several details about how and where the money will be used have not yet been determined.

The funding includes $600,000 for additional parishwide road improvements, $350,000 for an animal shelter, $300,000 for West Bryant Road, $115,000 for parish equipment, $50,000 for LED signage at the Effie Walking Track and $50,000 for the Fifth Ward Fire Department.

The allocations total $1,465,000 in additional funding for parish projects.

The funding provides a significant boost for several areas of parish government, particularly roads and infrastructure, but the Police Jury is still working through some of the details that will determine exactly how portions of the money are spent.

$600,000 for Parishwide Road Improvements

The largest single allocation is $600,000 for additional parishwide road improvements. Police Jury officials said the specific roads that will receive work through that funding have not yet been selected.

That allocation is separate from other parishwide road funding already being pursued by the Police Jury and gives parish officials another source of money to address road needs throughout Avoyelles Parish.

$300,000 for West Bryant Road

A separate $300,000 allocation has been designated for West Bryant Road. However, officials said the exact section of the road that will receive improvements is still to be determined.

$350,000 for an Animal Shelter

Another major allocation is $350,000 for an animal shelter. At this time, the location of the proposed shelter has not been decided, and officials have not yet finalized the exact scope of what the funding will cover.

That means questions such as where the shelter will be located, whether the money will be used for new construction or other improvements, and what the overall project will include remain unanswered for now.

Police Jury officials said those decisions have not yet been made.

$115,000 for Parish Equipment

One allocation does have a more specific purpose. Officials confirmed that the $115,000 designated for parish equipment is expected to be used to purchase a skid steer.

Skid steers are commonly used by public works departments for a variety of jobs, including moving materials, clearing debris and assisting with road and drainage work.

Additional Funding

The funding package also includes $50,000 for LED signage at the Effie Walking Track and $50,000 for the Fifth Ward Fire Department.

Together, the allocations direct money toward several different parish needs, including transportation, public safety, recreation, equipment and animal services.

While the funding has been designated, the unanswered details mean some projects are still in the early planning stages.

The Police Jury will still have to determine which roads will benefit from the additional $600,000, what portion of West Bryant Road will be improved and where the animal shelter project will ultimately be located.

Those decisions will determine how much of the new funding translates into specific projects residents can see in their communities.

For now, parish officials have confirmed the funding categories but acknowledged that many of the project details remain to be worked out.

As those decisions are made, additional information is expected regarding the scope of the animal shelter project, the road selections and the timeline for the various improvements.

The newspaper will continue to follow the funding and report on the projects as plans are finalized and work moves forward.