The Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury and town of Iowa are looking to join forces to attract businesses and improve infrastructure along the Interstate 10 corridor in Southwest Louisiana.

Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury President Steve Eastman said the two entities are in negotiations to create the Cal-Davis Business and Industrial Park to promote economic development along the I-10 corridor.

“It is a joint venture between the town of Iowa and Jeff Davis Parish to try to attract industry to this area along I-10 basically from our Lacassine Industrial Park to west of Iowa,” Eastman said. “By a joint cooperative endeavor between the two entities we are hoping to be able to garner some state or federal funds to get some infrastructure laid out. Until we get water and sewer in those areas, we are never going to be able to develop.”

Iowa Mayor Neal Watkins said the Cal-Davis Business and Industrial Park would be a regional concept.

“Part of the conversations we have had with Jeff Davis Parish, it is not so much about the town of Iowa or Jeff Davis Parish, it is about our region,” Watkins said. “The main thing is, no matter what we do in this region, it is going to benefit both of us.”

Watkins and Eastman said the main focus is the long-term development along the I-10 corridor to include traffic control and infrastructure for water, sewer and other services. Good infrastructure is needed to attract economic growth, Eastman said.

In addition, having two voices will be better than a single voice in giving the area a say about the future, he said.

“I feel if we work together as a unit, we can get more industry in the area,” Eastman said. “And if we go together as a united front to state and federal legislators, we will have more clout.”

Police Juror Chad Talbot, who represents the Lacassine area, supports the efforts.

“Both sides know there are tremendous opportunities, so why not get together to promote the area?” Talbot said. “It’s a real good thing for us.”

Ronnie Petree, chairman of the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Board, said the Police Jury should explore all the options.

“It may help develop the area quicker,” he said.

“This is beyond a positive move for us,” Watkins added. “We are very encouraged at the amount of attention that has been directed to our area by businesses and folks looking at the region to develop businesses.”

As recently as this week, Watkins said the town had an inquiry from someone looking to develop 1,000 to 2,000 acres in the area.

Iowa is currently working on a 20-year regional plan focusing on what the area could look like in the future and what infrastructure is needed to promote growth across the region.

The town recently purchased a 30-acre site off I-10 for an Emergency Operations Center to house the Iowa Police Department, as well as other services.

“A lot of entities will be able to operate out of the facility if we have a storm or other catastrophe,” Watkins said.

Watkins said the town is also working on ways to make the town a destination for new businesses and residents.

“We want people to be able to drive by I-10 and spot it and say, ‘This is Iowa.,” he said.