Economic Development Initiative

Today’s rural landowners and rural communities are being pressed by declining profitability from traditional agricultural operations, expanding urban development, growing demands for recreational opportunities and fading rural economies. These circumstances test the traditional quality of life, the sustainability of rural communities and the natural resource base.

Fully developed and carefully managed natural resource-based enterprises can provide landowners with alternative methods for generating additional sources of revenue and fostering natural resource conservation. Landowners who capitalize on traditional as well as non-traditional enterprises, which provide products, services and recreational opportunities, can return profitability to their overall operations. They also can enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of their communities.

The primary mission of this initiative is to promote and facilitate economic diversification, environmental-resource sustainability and economic revitalization through alternative land use in the delta region of Northeast Louisiana.