In a united front, business and community leaders have come together to advocate for the passage of three critical infrastructure bond proposals slated for the April 27th ballot. At a press conference held on Tuesday, representatives from various organizations voiced their support for the proposed investments aimed at addressing key infrastructure needs in the city.
“The projects outlined in these bond proposals are vital for the future well-being of our city. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that they address the most pressing infrastructure challenges facing our community,” remarked Mayor Tom Arceneaux.
Council President Alan Jackson echoed Mayor Arceneaux’s sentiments, urging citizens to vote in favor of the bond proposals to secure essential funding for critical infrastructure repairs. “I’m asking you to support this bond so we can have the additional funding in order to fix our sewer system, fix our water system, and to fix things the correct way,” emphasized Jackson.
Representatives from the Shreveport Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce, Greater Shreveport Chamber, BRF, and Renew Shreveport also expressed their support for the bond proposals.
“As business representatives for the African American Community in Shreveport, we fully support the bond proposal for its commitment to infrastructure improvements in minority districts. We appreciate the inclusion of minority contractors in these projects, allowing us to play a vital role in shaping our community’s future,” said Meagan Davis, Chairwoman of the Shreveport Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce.
John F. George Jr., M.D., President and CEO of BRF, underscored the role of infrastructure in fostering economic growth and development. “The investments supported by these bond proposals are an important part of ensuring that our infrastructure is ready for that growth,” stated Dr. George.
Dr. Tim Magner, President of the Greater Shreveport Chamber, emphasized the chamber’s commitment to ensuring that infrastructure investments align with the city’s broader economic development goals. “We also applaud the administration’s commitment to hiring program managers and to operational transparency as these are essential to confirming our city’s capacity as good stewards of our tax dollars,” added Dr. Magner.
Scott Ward, Chair of Renew Shreveport, stressed the urgent need to address infrastructure deficiencies and stressed the transformative impact of the proposed bond initiatives. “For too long we have underinvested in our infrastructure, and as a community, we must come together to rebuild our city for our citizens today, and for the businesses and families we hope to attract,” said Ward.
With early voting scheduled from April 13th to April 20th, stakeholders are mobilizing efforts to educate voters about the importance of supporting the bond proposals. Renew Shreveport encourages citizens to visit RenewShreveport.com for more information about the 2024 Bond Issue and urges everyone to vote yes on April 27th.
