BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana State Bond Commission approved financing for school and broadband projects affecting Northwest Louisiana and cleared several local election applications for the region during its Aug. 20 meeting.
The commission approved $30 million in revenue bonds for Louisiana Key Academy charter school projects, including Louisiana Key Academy-Caddo. The financing will support the acquisition, construction, equipping and furnishing of charter schools in Caddo Parish, Baton Rouge and the Northshore.
The commission also approved $150 million in revenue notes for a broadband project spanning 22 Louisiana parishes, including Bossier, Bienville, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River and Sabine parishes in Northwest Louisiana. The financing can be used to acquire, equip, maintain or install broadband infrastructure.
In Sabine Parish, the commission approved $550,000 in limited tax bonds for Fire Protection District No. 1, Wards 1 and 2. The funding will support the construction, improvement and operation of fire protection facilities, including the purchase of vehicles and equipment.
The commission also approved election applications from Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto and Natchitoches parishes, along with applications from Jefferson Davis, Ouachita and Richland parishes. Voters will consider the measures Dec. 12.
The proposed local funding measures cover projects and services including sports tourism, health facilities, ambulance services, fire protection, public libraries, elementary and secondary schools, water treatment, streets and drainage.
Other financing approved statewide included $500,000 for wastewater system improvements in Franklin Parish, $10 million for capital improvements in Plaquemine, nearly $5 million for sewer improvements in Broussard and $15 million for a 294-unit multifamily housing development in New Orleans.
The commission also approved $8.15 million in revenue bonds for the Beekman Charter School project for construction and improvement of a permanent junior high school building, classroom facilities and related equipment.
State Treasurer John Fleming, who chairs the Bond Commission, said the approved projects cover a range of infrastructure and public facilities.
“The projects approved represent smart investments in Louisiana’s future,” Fleming said. “The commission’s decisions will help fund improvements to sewerage disposal facilities, playground facilities, broadband access, and school facilities and multifamily housing, among other projects.”
For fiscal 2027, the Bond Commission has approved 33 debt applications totaling $61.23 billion and 11 local government elections, according to the state treasurer’s office.
Bond Commission approval is required before Louisiana public entities can borrow money or issue bonds. The commission reviews applications from parishes, municipalities, special taxing districts and other political subdivisions for compliance with state requirements and the feasibility of repaying proposed debt.