Harlan Kirgan
Months of work was capped with the adoption of a strategic plan by the Eunice Board of Aldermen at their meeting Tuesday.
The plan identifies priorities and strategies to achieve the vision stated for Eunice.
The vision states: “We are a tri-parish hub of opportunity and economic vitality; a thriving university town of engaged, diverse residents; and a premier destination for robust culture and recreation.”
Bill Rodier, St. Landry Economic Development executive director, introduced the plan and said it began with a listening session in October 2018, at Acadian Medical Center with about 70 people.
A major feedback from the session was how to make LSUE more a part of Eunice.
Rodier said the plan is a working document.
“The killer is with plans .. if you have a strategic plan and you have no accountability as to outcome,” he said.
Mayor Scott Fontenot said the plan was developed from a previous one in 2010.
“This is just a beginning, just a start,” he said.
Rodier said the plan is not comprehensive. “We didn’t look at engineering aspects of your wastewater and your water systems, some of those things. But really to just come up with strategic objectives ...”
Economic development is tied to the underlying work with government, education, culture groups and others, he said.
The plan was formed in bi-weekly meetings held at LSUE.
Rodier stressed that the city and LSUE work together on implementing the plan that has 64 strategic objectives.
Some cities organize implementation of a plan through committees linked to the city council, he said.
During the listening session in October changes and trends in the next five to 10 years included:
Appetite to fund public education is decreasing.
Increasing need for educated workforce.
Increase in aging population.
Aging infrastructure.
Non-violent crime increase.
Lack of affordable housing.
Assets for Eunice are listed as: LSUE, hospital, airport, National Park Service, rail access, good public schools and natural gas pipeline.
Quality of life assets were listed as location; culture of food, music, language hertiage; progressive can-do spirit; progressive leaders with strong religious values; hub for smaller communities; and family connections.
Community strengths include: making the most of limited resources; people care, civic pride; baseball fields; diversity; entertainment opportunities; agriculture; and Tri-Parish.
Weaknesses include: keeping people here; limited local shopping; not enough apartments and housing; low wages; low taxes; and lack of skilled labor.
Priorities listed are economic development; education; infrastructure; leadership development; marketing-communications; and workforce development.
Goals are:
Promote a business-friendly environment;
Embrace LSUE as the state-wide leader in two-year universities and improve K-12 education;
Provide a well-maintained infrastructure; and
Maintain a beautiful and unique community with a strong sense of belonging and a high quality of life.