Louisiana Economic Development staff solicited feedback Wednesday from Jeff Davis Parish and local officials to help set the stage for economic growth opportunities in the parish.

The informal meeting is the next step in the parish’s quest to become a certified Louisiana Development Ready Community.

“This is one of the biggest steps in the right direction I have seen for this parish in over a decade,” Jennings Mayor Henry Guinn said.

The parish is poised to join 51 other Louisiana communities, including Leesville and DeRidder and two other parishes – St. Bernard and West Feliciana parishes – in being deemed as development ready by the state, according to Stacey Neal, director of Community Competitiveness with Louisiana Economic Development Office.

“The designation kind of gets you out in front and puts you at the top of the list of communities that have a plan in place for business and industry to come here,” Neal said.

During Wednesday’s town hall meeting, local residents, business owners and elected officials provided feedback on how to make the parish more attractive to business investments and secure more jobs by identifying strengths and weaknesses.

“Everyone wants a voice, so we are giving them the opportunity,” Neal said.

A major component of the plan, which will serve as a guide for long range planning, is quality of life. The plan also focuses on education, infrastructure, economic development, marketing and communications.

“This plan will help the parish and the communities better plan, prepare and become more competitive in attracting new businesses and jobs to the area,” Neal said.

LED staff will use input from community assessment surveys and information gathered at the meeting to help the parish set goals, timetables and identify funding sources to help make the goals a reality, she said.

The state hopes to have the designation in place by June.