The economic and residential growth that continues to crowd the Interstate 49 area south of Opelousas will continue with the recent completion of a multi-million-dollar water treatment plant capable of handling a maximum capacity of 150,000 gallons daily, Bill Rodier, chairman of the St. Landry Economic and Development District said on Friday.
State elected officials and members of several St. Landry Parish economic development districts gathered at the operational plant site for a dedication ceremony marking the first phase of the water distribution and sewerage project located off I-49.
“This water treatment facility is going to serve as the backbone for all the development that is heading toward this part of the parish,” said Buddy Helton, chairman of the Central St. Landry Economic District. “Many years ago, people with economic development in this parish set goals and now we are really experiencing one of those goals happening.”
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Rodier said the southern portion of the parish, especially between Sunset and Opelousas, is currently experiencing enormous commercial and residential growth.
“What you are seeing here with this treatment plant is the culmination of several areas of government that have been working together in order to make this happen,” Rodier said. “You have our local state legislative delegation working with the city of Opelousas and parish economic development in order to make all of this happen.”
In the past five years, commercial development around the Harry Guilbeau Road exit off I-49 has featured two foreign automotive dealerships, a medical facility and the projected start of a major residential housing project.
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Rodier explained that costs for the water treatment project were covered by a matching formula that involved the Central St. Landry Economic District as well as funding obtained at the state level by state lawmakers Dustin Miller and Gerald Boudreaux, who represent the parish.
The Central St. Landry Economic District is funded by an additional 1-cent sales tax collected at businesses that are located within the district boundaries along I-49.
“There is a whole new wave of growth that is coming to St. Landry. It’s happening now, but it is going to continue increasing,” Rodier added. “This treatment facility not only takes some of the pressure off the Opelousas water treatment process, but it also adds capacity for the residences and businesses that are here now and that will continue to locate in this area.”
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City Engineer William Jarrell III said the plant, located on about an acre of property a half mile off the I-49 service road, has the capacity to grow once the south Opelousas development requires more capacity.
The operation of the treatment plant, which began functioning earlier this week, has been turned over to the City of Opelousas, Rodier said.
Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor said the treatment plant marks a new beginning for the growth of the city.
“What you are seeing here (Friday) is going to be an integral part of what we are trying to get accomplished,” Alsandor said. “There are businesses that are already here and now more of them will come now that they know that the city has the ability to meet their needs.”