HCR 66

ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 66
BY REPRESENTATIVE WYBLE
  A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To urge and request Louisiana Economic Development to lead, in coordination with the
       Governor's Office of Rural Development, in conjunction with other state agencies,
       to continue studying and evaluating the economic assets, infrastructure capacity,
       workforce resources, and development opportunities present in rural parishes of the
       state.
       WHEREAS, since January 2024, Louisiana has experienced significant economic
momentum, including the announcement of more than ninety-three billion dollars in capital
investment, representing over twelve thousand eight hundred new direct jobs and eighteen
thousand retained jobs across multiple industry sectors; and
       WHEREAS, key industry sectors including energy, manufacturing, petrochemical
production, liquefied natural gas, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and emerging
technologies have continued to expand, solidifying Louisiana's position as a national leader
in industrial development and global energy markets; and
       WHEREAS, Louisiana's ports, transportation infrastructure, and natural resources,
many of which are located in or directly serve rural communities, have been instrumental
in supporting economic expansion and global trade; and
       WHEREAS, rural communities comprise a substantial geographic and cultural
portion of the state and serve as the backbone of Louisiana's agricultural production, energy
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infrastructure, fisheries, timber industry, manufacturing base, and natural resource economy;
and
        WHEREAS, many of the state's largest industrial investments, infrastructure assets,
and energy facilities are located in rural parishes, generating employment opportunities and
local tax bases that benefit the entire state; and
        WHEREAS, rural Louisiana faces distinct challenges, including population decline
in most regions, workforce access barriers, broadband connectivity gaps, healthcare access
shortages, and limited infrastructure capacity, which require targeted and coordinated policy
responses; and
        WHEREAS, rural communities throughout Louisiana stand to benefit significantly
from numerous federal programs designed to support economic development, infrastructure
investment, workforce training, broadband deployment, and community revitalization,
including programs administered through the United States Department of Agriculture, the
Delta Regional Authority, the Economic Development Administration, the Federal
Communications Commission, and other federal agencies; and
        WHEREAS, identifying, coordinating, and maximizing access to these federal
funding opportunities, in conjunction with state resources and local initiatives, can
strengthen rural infrastructure, expand economic opportunity, improve workforce readiness,
and support long-term sustainable development across Louisiana's rural parishes; and
        WHEREAS, multiple state agencies play a critical role in rural economic vitality,
including but not limited to:
        (1) The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
        (2) The Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy.
        (3) The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
        (4) The Louisiana Department of Health.
        (5) The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
        (6) Louisiana Economic Development.
        (7) Louisiana Works.
        (8) The office of broadband development and connectivity.
        (9) The office of community development.
        (10) The Governor's Office of Rural Development.
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       WHEREAS, while each agency carries specific statutory responsibilities, greater
interagency alignment and coordinated strategic planning would strengthen Louisiana's
ability to attract investment, support workforce development, improve infrastructure
deployment, and accelerate economic opportunity in rural parishes; and
       WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature has vested Louisiana Economic Development
with the authority and responsibility to formulate, implement, and coordinate programs to
promote and diversify the economic development of the state; and
       WHEREAS, Louisiana Economic Development is authorized to assist in the
attraction, retention, expansion, and development of business and industry; to cooperate with
federal, state, regional, and local public agencies; to enter into cooperative endeavors; and
to coordinate activities designed to promote economic growth; and
       WHEREAS, the Governor's Office of Rural Development serves as the state's
primary advocate and resource for rural communities, charged with acting as a clearinghouse
for rural development information; and
       WHEREAS, a more intentional, data-driven, and regionally coordinated rural
economic development strategy would enhance competitiveness, maximize return on state
and federal investments, and ensure that economic growth reaches every parish of the state.
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend the continued economic growth occurring throughout the state and recognizes the
essential role of rural communities in sustaining Louisiana's economic strength and global
competitiveness.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana acknowledges the
statutory authority granted to Louisiana Economic Development pursuant to R.S. 51:2301
et seq., to promote, coordinate, and assist in statewide economic development activities.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby urges and
requests Louisiana Economic Development, consistent with its authority pursuant to R.S.
51:2301 et seq., to lead, in coordination with the Governor's Office of Rural Development,
and in conjunction with other state agencies, to continue studying and evaluating the
economic assets, infrastructure capacity, workforce resources, and development
opportunities present in rural parishes of the state.
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       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby directs
Louisiana Economic Development, consistent with its statutory authority, to develop and
implement a coordinated rural economic development strategy that does all of the following:
       (1) Coordinates with the office of rural development and other relevant state
agencies to align economic development funding streams and strategic initiatives.
       (2) Strengthens alignment between workforce development programs and rural
employer needs.
       (3) Identifies industry sectors and competitive advantages uniquely suited for rural
parishes.
       (4) Provides periodic reporting to the Legislature regarding measurable outcomes,
benchmarks, and progress in advancing rural economic growth.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby urges and
requests Louisiana Economic Development, consistent with its authority pursuant to R.S.
51:2301 et seq., to dedicate a staff person within the department to serve as a Rural
Economic Development Coordinator, whose responsibilities shall include implementing the
directives contained in this Resolution, facilitating interagency coordination related to rural
economic development initiatives, and tracking measurable outcomes in rural parishes.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana urges and requests
that all relevant state agencies cooperate with Louisiana Economic Development and the
Governor's Office of Rural Development in carrying out such coordinated efforts, consistent
with existing statutory authority.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Louisiana Economic Development shall issue
a report to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2027, giving an update on the efforts
outlined in this Resolution.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, the commissioner of administration, and the
heads of each relevant state agencies, to include the Louisiana Department of Agriculture
and Forestry, the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, the Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality, the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana
Department of Transportation and Development, Louisiana Economic Development,
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Louisiana Works, the office of broadband development and connectivity, the office of
community development, and the Governor's Office of Rural Development.
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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