May 6 Regular Agenda Meeting Notes

Bossier Parish Police Jury Approves Opportunity Zone 2.0 Designations

The Bossier Parish Police Jury took a major step forward this week, approving an agenda item that recommends four census tracts in the parish for inclusion in the upcoming Federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 program.

The unanimous vote allows the parish to submit four unique locations, one Haughton off Hwy 157 and US Hwy 80, the East Bank District, the Cyber Innovation Center region, and Shreveport Downtown Airport, to the State of Louisiana, which will review other nominations from across the state before forwarding final selections to the federal government.

Opportunity Zones are a federal program designed to encourage private investment in areas that need a boost. Instead of direct funding, the program offers tax incentives to investors who choose to build or redevelop projects in designated communities, helping bring new life to places that may have struggled to attract development in the past.

What This Means for Bossier Parish

For local residents and businesses, the goal is simple: bring more investment, more opportunity, and more growth to targeted areas of the parish.

Police Jury President Tom Salzer said the effort is about making sure Bossier Parish is ready to take advantage of every opportunity to grow.

“This is about being proactive and making sure Bossier Parish is in position to compete,” Salzer said. “By putting these areas forward, we’re opening the door for new investment, new development, and long-term growth that benefits our entire parish.”

Growing the Local Economy

When new development comes in, it can lead to:

• Higher property values
• Increased property tax revenue
• More sales tax revenue from new businesses

Over time, that means more resources for parish services, without raising taxes on residents. If approved at the state and federal levels, the new Opportunity Zone designations would remain in place for up to a decade, providing a long-term window for investment and development in Bossier Parish.

Bossier Parish Advances Sewer Infrastructure with Completion of Key Projects

The Bossier Parish Police Jury has approved two Certificates of Substantial Completion for major sewer infrastructure projects, marking significant progress in improving wastewater systems across the parish.

The completed projects include the Wastewater Collection System at the Winfield Road Lift Station and Sewer Improvements and Repairs to the CSR and Headworks Structures at the Parish’s Sewer Treatment Plant.

These projects represent continued investment in critical infrastructure aimed at enhancing system reliability, supporting future growth, and ensuring efficient wastewater management for residents and businesses.

Officials noted that maintaining and upgrading sewer systems is essential to protecting public health and the environment while strengthening the parish’s overall infrastructure network.

The Police Jury remains committed to ongoing improvements that support long-term service delivery and quality of life throughout Bossier Parish.

Bossier Parish Declares May 2026 as National Tennis Month

In other business, the Jury unanimously adopted a proclamation naming May as National Tennis Month, recognizing the benefits of tennis for health and community well-being. The initiative aligns with the United States Tennis Association’s nationwide effort to promote the sport and expand access for players of all ages and abilities.

The Police Jury encourages residents to participate in local tennis programs and activities throughout the month.