BusinessReport.com

Jim Bello knows Pointe Coupee is poised for growth.

Bello has served as parish administrator since 2005 after previously serving as parish president for nine of the 13 years he was a member of the police jury. During that time, he has seen little change in Pointe Coupee’s population, though the parish did record an increase of 0.2% from 2007 to ’08.

But as the John James Audubon Bridge—which will connect Pointe Coupee with West Feliciana Parish—nears completion in late 2010, Bello has a timetable to address the multiple challenges in government, infrastructure and land use that go hand in hand with economic development.

1. How will the bridge impact Pointe Coupee?

It’s going to be a big economic driver. DOTD [Department of Transportation and Development] has forecast up to 14,000 vehicles as two-way traffic over the bridge each day compared to the ferry, which can only run 17 at a time twice an hour. That’s a bit more traffic. That’s our next big challenge, accommodating the eight miles of roadway that the bridge will bring on this side of the river.

2. Pointe Coupee is one of the parishes in the Capital Region that recorded population growth from 2007-08. To what do you attribute that growth?

Pointe Coupee has basically had the same population for the past 50 to 60 years. We’re hovering around 23,000 residents. I think it will grow. Once the bridge comes in, that will change a 30- to 40-minute ride down [U.S. Highway] 190 to a 17-minute ride up Highway 61 right into Baton Rouge. I think all these factors are just falling into place.

3. Pointe Coupee has a large population over 65 when compared to the rest of the state. What can the parish do to attract younger people with families?

The safe environment is a good thing for families. Going back to the bridge, West Feliciana has decided they don’t want the big-box stores on their side. We’re not against that. We don’t have a lot of zoning and restrictions, so people are pretty much free, at this time, to develop and grow like they want. That’s a concern, but that’s the way it is right now.

4. Pointe Coupee Central High is one of the schools that has been taken over by the state. How much bearing does education have when recruiting people into the parish?

Industry has come in to talk with us time and time again wanting to know how our education system is. Getting the school system competitive, where people feel like they can come here and have their children educated properly, is probably the only thing we’re really lacking.

5. How do you recruit people into the parish with a smaller amount of industry and jobs?

One large employer is Big Cajun [power plants]. As an example, they pay higher salaries and provide the resources of a tax base. That’s what’s going to have to happen to sustain Pointe Coupee Parish. I don’t think the people of the parish can, by themselves forever and ever, sustain it. You have to have industry.

6. Pointe Coupee’s comprehensive plan was adopted in August. What conclusions did the parish reach in terms of growth?

People said they’d like to see some moderate growth. With that, they’d expect more residents coming in and new developments happening over time. They weren’t against it, but they still wanted Pointe Coupee Parish to have that same rural flavor, still be a farming community. The agriculture business is the bread and butter of Pointe Coupee Parish. Agriculture sometimes gets overlooked in favor of industry and higher-paying jobs, but it has to stay in place as well. There’s a give and take on both sides.

7. So how do you balance economic development bringing new residents into the parish with those deeply entrenched in the agricultural community?

We needed to do the master plan, which opened up people to forward thinking. There was a lot of fear, and I think we calmed those fears. They understand they can have a say-so in how we grow over time. Agricultural property has a certain value today. Historically, these families have held on to these properties to sustain themselves. As the availability for development comes, the younger generation will be enticed to sell their property and get rid of some of that acreage.

8. What about zoning?

New Roads and Livonia have zoning. In the rural areas, there’s nothing at all. In the master-planning process, zoning was taken almost as a bad word. People are fearful of it. The important thing was to get the plan in place. Implementation of zoning can proceed as we perceive what needs to take place. We’re going to keep our eyes and ears open and maybe be proactive in anticipating what may come.

9. If the parish population grows as expected from the bridge opening, do you anticipate a push to change the parish government from a police jury to a parish council?

The jury system, like the school board districts, are territorial somewhat. The closest and the best representation the people have is the local level of government because people have more access. I think people like that.

The fear is that if they go to a council with a parish-elected president, politics could be played and certain districts will be left out of their fair share. I think the right person would work with everybody, and being elected across the parish would streamline business daily as it needs to be done. I think that this system works and gives good representation, but it has been outdated. It stifles growth.

10. Where do you see Pointe Coupee in 15 to 20 years?

Some controlled development. Because we’re so rural, we have no restrictions on individuals in terms of development. That is going to have to change. It’s not so much as telling people what to do as it is to manage the growth so that it’s aesthetically pleasing, that it doesn’t disrupt the lives of people living in the parish and so we get the appropriate type of businesses here.

AT A GLANCE: Pointe Coupee Parish

Population [2008] 22,401

Population growth [2007-08] 0.2%

Median household income [2007] $38,131

Persons below poverty [2007] 21.4%

Private nonfarm employment [2006] 4,016

Largest employer Louisiana Generating [360]

SOURCES: U.S. Census Bureau; Baton Rouge Area Chamber