BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A newly approved economic development district running along Plank Road from Evangeline to Airline will bring $20 million in investments to the area over the next 10 years, according to Metro Councilman Darryl Hurst.
Starting in January, a two-cent sales tax within the district will go into effect to fund the upgrades.
Longtime business owner has seen corridor change
Marjoe Holmes has owned a used car dealership on Plank Road for more than two decades.
“I’ve seen Plank Road swing a lot. The economic changes, businesses grow, businesses leave,” Holmes said.
Hurst said the district is designed to get businesses to invest in and stay in the area.
“We’re trying to turn Plank Road into Perkins Rowe,” Hurst said.
Funds to go toward safety, aesthetic upgrades
Hurst said the money will go toward safety improvements and other upgrades.
“To facade, lighting, landscape and other improvements,” Hurst said.
Hurst said the tax is a small sacrifice.
“People living here are spending more on gas to drive somewhere else for necessities then they will by spending the two pennies around the corner and those two pennies go to invest in the neighborhood to increase property values, attract new businesses and make the area investable,” Hurst said.
Holmes said he hopes the investment leads to change for the community.
“I’m hoping that our community will see a brighter place and create brighter outcomes,” Holmes said.
Next steps for the district
Now that it’s been approved by the metro council, Hurst said the next step is creating a board for the Delmont Economic Development District to direct the tax dollars. He is asking neighbors with ideas for the corridor to reach out to his office.
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