Iberia Parish President Larry Richard held his 4th annual State of the Parish address this evening.
Topics of discussion ranged from drainage and infrastructure to finances and strategic planning.
Richard listed several new projects that the parish is starting, including the new 675 Roundabout.
This is a $2.6 million project that Richard said will be one of the biggest roundabouts in the state of Louisiana. The roundabout is being created in conjuction with the Acadiana Regional access road and will support Acadiana Regional Airport and the Port of Iberia. The project is being funded through NPO and the Acadiana Planning Commission. Richard stated that the project is "a big deal" for the parish.
Other new projects Richard listed included the new Airport access road and a new emergency preparedness facility.
Richard said that in terms of finances, the parish is starting to do well. He said the goal is to take care of debt while maintaining what the parish already has.
"Iberia Parish is really starting to come up," said Richard. He added that in general, the parish feels better than it did 3 1/2 years ago.
Richard explained that many infrastructure projects have gotten done and there are now several more in the works.
He thanked the delegations in Baton Rouge and Congress for helping with the parish's funds.
When asked about the large turnout at the State of the Parish address, Richard said it's indicative of how the community feels. He added that it is very important to him to be transparent with his constituents.
He said it is important that he let people know "what I'm doing in this government and let the people see where their dollars are going."
"Things are going much better and we want to keep it going in that direction...looking forward to the next four years."
