LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / July 11, 2000

DESTREHAN – A spokesperson for the Louisiana Airport Authority urged business support for a new regional airport at the St. Charles BusinessAssociation’s monthly meeting.

Glenda Jeansonne, economic development director for the authority, said the project itself may not see fruition for another 10 to 15 years, but burgeoning public support is prompting federal agencies to complete a feasibility study for the project.

“It’s not unusual at all to take this long,” Jeansonne said.

The idea, generated as an alternative to further expansion of New Orleans International Airport into St. Charles Parish, is to develop a businesscenter and cargo transport facility.

An additional prompting toward development of this new airport is the diverting of target cargo toward Houston, Atlanta and Miami.

“Cargo business opportunities are flying right over Louisiana,” Jeansonne commented.

“We’re a party state, but we also need to be a business state,” added Emile Garlepied, SCBA president.

In other business, the SCBA also discussed expansion of the Tri-Parish Social to include Ascension Parish, paralleling efforts to expand the River Region Caucus to include Ascension, along with St. Charles, St. John theBaptist and St. James parishes.

Return To News Stories