The Division of Economic Development works with governmental entities and businesses to prepare for, promote, and/or provide permanent long-term employment for the citizens of the Ark-La-Tex region served by The Coordinating and Development Corporation.

Grant Applications for Local Communities

As a part of its services, the Division prepares grant applications for governmental entities, generating millions of dollars to fund needed improvements to the communities’ infrastructure and other typically governmental services. In turn, these improvements enhance the ability of local governments to attract new businesses/industries and help existing companies expand. Sources of funding include the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, Louisiana Community Development Block Grant program, COPS grants, Transportation Enhancement grants, and many others.

State Tax Incentives Program

The Coordinating & Development Corporation (CDC) offers its expertise to businesses that desire to take advantage of the tax benefits offered through the Louisiana Enterprise Zone incentive, www.led.state.la.us/businessresources/enterprisezones.asp, and Industrial Tax Exemption Incentive, www.led.state.la.us/businessresources/industrialtaxexemp.asp

Advance Notification

The first step in the process of obtaining Enterprise Zone benefits is the completion and submission of an Advance Notification to the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. CDC will obtain the information required for the Advance Notification, prepare it for signature, and submit it to the proper State Division after it has been signed.

Endorsement Resolution

One of the benefits of the Enterprise Zone Program is the reimbursement of certain local sales taxes on materials and equipment which were purchased as part of the expansion or new business. In order for a business to receive this benefit, it will be necessary for the local government(s) to adopt a resolution indicating its willingness to reimburse these taxes. CDC can draft the resolution in accordance with State requirements and have a representative present for the local governing body’s meeting to provide explanations concerning the Enterprise Zone Program and the resolution to be passed.

Enterprise Zone Maps

CDC has both digitized and paper maps which depict the boundaries of every enterprise zone in Northwest Louisiana. Our GIS system can be utilized to determine whether or not a particular location is in an enterprise zone. If a location is in a zone, the number of the enterprise zone can be determined. Also, as part of the process to obtain enterprise zone benefits, the State requires a map showing the location of the business in relation to the boundaries of the zone. CDC will provide the required map or maps.

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Application for Tax Incentives

Upon completion of construction or once the new equipment is in place, schedules must be submitted to the appropriate State agency and to the local governmental body(ies) in order to receive a rebate of sales tax that has been paid. CDC will obtain the information required for the schedules, prepare them for signature, and submit them to the proper agencies after signature. If applicable, we will also determine the requirements of the local government(s) and assist you in submitting any paperwork that may be required.

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Employee Certification

In order to receive enterprise zone benefits, new employees hired as part of a project must meet certain requirements with respect to where they reside, their dependence upon public assistance, or their employability. CDC will determine which of a business’s new employees meet these requirements, and prepare the required certification reports in accordance with the State’s requirements.

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Geographic Information System (GIS) Mapping Services

Since 1992, The Coordinating & Development Corporation has possessed and utilized Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities. GIS is more than just maps drawn by a computer. It is designed to allow for collection, management, and analysis of large volumes of spatially-referenced data. That is, it not only allows the user to have data connected to points or areas on the map, it also provides for analysis and display of that data in the most geographically meaningful way possible. For example, if someone needs to know the locations of a parish’s low income areas, the GIS can produce a map which shades areas in which more than 50% of the families receive annual incomes of less than $20,000, or it could show areas with various income ranges in different colors. But income is only one example of the kinds of data which can be mapped.

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Redistricting/Reapportionment

The formation of police jury, city council, and school board districts is based upon block data provided by the Bureau of the Census. CDC’s GIS allows this block data to be tied directly to the areas on the map with which they are associated. Based on this spatial representation of the data, districts can be created and changed with relative ease. If need be, several different redistricting scenarios can be mapped so that decision makers can choose the solution that works best for them.

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Thematic Mapping

CDC’s maps are based upon digital maps from the U.S. Bureau of the Census. These maps are made to utilize the wealth of information available from the Census Bureau. Thus, it is possible to show population density; education levels by area; distribution by age, race, income, etc.; and an enormous variety of other characteristics.

On numerous occasions, we have successfully provided information and maps which would not have been otherwise available. We have been able to provide estimates of the number and age breakdown of persons living within a certain radius of a given point. At times, we have been asked to display the demographic characteristics of a "corridor" defined as existing within a certain distance from a particular highway or railroad. Also, we have been asked to make a geographic comparison of the income levels of the municipalities in a certain area. These are just a few examples of the enormous capabilities CDC possesses with respect to thematic mapping.

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Enterprise Zone Maps

The Louisiana Legislature has designated enterprise zones (EZs) throughout the State in which new or expanding businesses can receive tax breaks if they create new jobs. Unfortunately, the State has never produced a set of maps showing the boundaries of these zones. CDC does have Northwest Louisiana EZ maps readily available. Small scale maps have been compiled which show general locations of EZs in each parish, as well as individual large scale maps showing the details of each individual EZ. Also, CDC can provide the EZ "status" of particular locations based on their street address or location description. Companies wishing to know whether or not their employees live within enterprise zones may use this service.

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Base Maps

CDC can supply base maps which depict just about any area, from a small part of a municipality or parish to an entire parish or region. Base maps range from letter-size to 36" X 48" and can be compiled in black and white or in color. We can show streets and highways, railroads, streams and lakes, political boundaries and any special features which the user needs, such as government buildings, recreation facilities, schools, etc.

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Census Maps

For the 2000 Census, much data was compiled for sub-parish areas called block groups and census tracts. CDC has the capability to produce maps showing the boundaries of each of these census-determined areas and their data. Many Federally regulated institutions are required to have copies of these census maps on hand. And, because much of the Census Bureau’s data is tied to these units, it is possible to do thematic mapping utilizing the census boundaries.

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Zoning Maps

In many municipalities, the official zoning map consists of a copied base map on which colored pen shading and pencil lines have been "roughed in" to depict zoning. The hand-written notes and erasures which have accumulated over the years make them difficult or impossible to read or interpret. CDC has assisted communities by creating digitized zoning maps which can be easily altered and redrawn by the computer.  Utilizing our services will mean that the local zoning map will be neat, attractive, and readable every time it is updated.

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Statistics and Information

There are occasions when a person or entity may already have good maps at its disposal, but simply needs statistics concerning an area. CDC can use its GIS and accompanying data to provide information about a location or region including its area, demographic characteristics, how it compares to other areas, and various other analyses. The required information can be presented as tables, charts, graphs, or, if need be, in a narrative format.

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Economic Development Administration (EDA)

The Coordinating & Development Corporation has a very close working relationship with the United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. Through this agency, the CDC has assisted local governments and public entities in acquiring funds for a variety of economic development activities. The primary interest in EDA funds has always been for construction of the infrastructure needed for development and expansion of business and industry. However, EDA also provides funds for planning and developing strategies.

EDA provides information and training opportunities for CDC staff. This is accomplished through traditional annual conferences and through one-on-one consultation with EDA’s regional staff in Austin.

As part of its relationship with EDA, CDC has a number of responsibilities which involve accomplishing tasks clearly defined in a written scope of work. Some of the elements of the scope of work are one-time projects, while others are ongoing.

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Socioeconomic Information System

 
CDC is a State Data Center Affiliate and as such receives the most up-to-date census data. Primarily, this data is received via three formats. Bound reports include tables (on paper) with many of the most frequently used data for each parish; municipality; and, in a few cases, census tracts. These reports are kept and maintained at CDC’s main office in Shreveport.

Data is also transmitted to CDC via CD-ROM. These compact disks contain much more detailed data at much more detailed levels, such as census block groups, and even down to the block level. CDC owns, operates, and maintains the desktop computer equipment, peripherals, and software required to access data on CD-ROM.

Almost all federal agencies and most State agencies are now taking advantage of the Internet. Many government websites contain data and maps. CDC has downloaded data from websites maintained by the Louisiana Department of Labor, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. Census Bureau, and many others.

Disseminating socioeconomic information ~ The media described above greatly facilitate dissemination of socioeconomic information. CDC’s staff answers several calls per week for information. Banks, real estate agents, local units of government, engineers, consultants, and others call, write, or fax requests for all types of information. The CD-ROM disks make information concerning minute details about tiny villages immediately available.

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Information on Economic Development Programs

District staff maintains and disseminates information on various programs which relate to and promote economic development. These programs originate at the federal and at the state level. Some are fairly constant in their intent and organization, while others are continuously undergoing changes. Information concerning USDA and CDBG (HUD) economic development programs is also maintained. The Governor’s Rural Development grant program became popular a few years ago. CDC has directed parishes and communities to make the appropriate contacts to apply for these funds.

As always, however, special emphasis is placed on EDA programs. Most of this emphasis is on the Public Works Program. However, there is also some interest in the Technical Assistance and the Long-Term Economic Displacement Program.

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Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

 
Every five years, CDC updates the region’s CEDS. The CEDS process involves looking at Northwest Louisiana’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Goals and objectives are formulated to deal with weaknesses and threats and to take advantage of strengths and opportunities, and an action plan is developed based on the established objectives. During those years in which the CEDS is not being updated, a CEDS Report is developed that documents progress toward carrying out objectives. www.cdconline.org/ceds

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Hazard Mitigation Planning

To qualify for post-disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds, a local government is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop and adopt a Hazard Mitigation Plan. CDC guides local governments through the planning process by taking a systematic approach. CDC assists with establishing a planning team, assessing risks, preparing damage loss estimates, mapping critical assets, determining the primary hazard-related problems, formulating goals and objectives, developing prioritized actions, and establishing a process for implementing, monitoring and reviewing the plan to ensure that goals and objectives are met.

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Contact Information:

 
Gray Stothart II
Vice-President
The Coordinating & Development Corp.
Division of Economic Development
5210 Hollywood Avenue
P. O. Box 37005
Shreveport, LA 71133-7005
Phone: (318) 632-2022
Fax: (318) 632-2099
E-mail: stothart@shreve.net

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