Parish gains $1M from state

The parish’s legislators were able to secure more than $1 million for projects and infrastructure improvements paid from the state’s general operation budget.

Some of the money will be used to help repair structures that were damaged in Hurricane Rita, while the rest of the money will help fund towns, Police Jury, and School Board projects.

Rep. Simone Champagne visited the Erath Aldermen’s Meeting last week and informed the aldermen and Mayor George Dupuis that Erath will be getting $80,000 for infrastructure improvements and 10 percent of the $80,000 will be given to the police department.

The town has the money ear-marked to repair the roof on Erath City Hall which, when it was damaged in Hurricane Rita, FEMA denied the claim .

The Henry Volunteer Fire Department will get $75,000 to help pay for a new fire station that was wiped out in Hurricane Rita.

Delcambre will get $40,000 to be used for renovations, improvements, streets, sewer and water.

The largest parish project to get funded is for drainage improvements and roads. The state awarded the parish $300,000. Coulee Baton Drainage District will receive 28 percent of the money for drainage improvements and 15 percent will go to the Coulee DesJonc Drainage District for drainage improvements.

The Vermilion Council on Aging will get 12 percent of the $300,000 and the remaining 40 percent will go towards road improvement to the Barres Ranch Road and Roosevelt Road.

Here is a list of some of the projects included as amendments in House Bill 1 or Act 19, the state’s general budget.

$10,000: Kaplan for electrical system

$145,000: Kaplan police/ fire department construction and emergency preparedness equipment and vehicles

$14,000: Abbeville for walking trail for elderly at Gertie Huntsberry Park

$30,000: Abbeville for police and fire protection

$5,000: Meaux/ Nunez Volunteer Fire Department

Vermilion Police Jury

$100,000: To be distributed equally to Maurice, LeBlanc, Indian Bayou and Leleaux volunteer fire departments

$300,000: To be distributed: 28 percent to Coulee Baton Drainage District for drainage improvements, 15 percent to the Coulee Des Jonc Drainage District for drainage improvements, 12 percent for the Vermilion Parish Council o Aging, 5 percent for the Cajun Area Agency on Aging and the remaining 40 percent for road improvements to Barres, Ranch and Roosevelt roads

$75,000: To replace Henry fire station destroyed by Hurricane Rita

$40,000: To Delcambre, split 80 percent for renovations, improvements, streets, or sewer and water, and 20 percent for the police department

$30,000: Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office for emergency preparedness equipment and other law enforcement supplies

$90,000: Vermilion Parish School Board: 75 percent for emergency protection equipment for school buses and 25 percent for education enhancements

$35,000: To Gueydan as follows: 90 percent for road improvements and 10 percent for the police department

$80,000: To Erath distributed with 90 percent for infrastructure improvements and 10 percent for the police department.