In 2001, The Louisiana State Senate created the Southside Economic Development District in
Former Senator Charles D. Jones
response to legislative initiative of then Senator Charles D. Jones (D. 34) and then Rep. Willie Hunter Jr. (D.17). The Senate legislation gave governess powers to a board of commissioners that manages and guides the program; the intent of the legislation was to give the people of South Monroe the ability revitalize their community with safe neighborhoods, economic development and quality of life enhancements.
The Louisiana Legislature approved the Senate Bill and it was signed into law.
Unlike similar districts in the Monroe community, the SEDD was given the unique ability to seek voter approval of sales, property and use taxes to generate revenues to fund the district’s plans, without requiring the approval of the Monroe City Government.
The legislation mandates that the SEDD Board shall prepare or cause to be prepared a plan or plans specifying the public improvements, facilities, and services proposed to be furnished, constructed, or acquired shall conduct public hearings, publish notices with respect thereto, and disseminate such information assist, In the exercise of its sound discretion, may deem to be appropriate or advisable and in the public interest.
The first action of the board was the development of a plan that was used to guide the Southside district’s energy, time, and dollars. In June of 2003, the district submitted its first plan to the Monroe City Council and it was approved.
Most of the components of the plan were not implemented because the City officials did not appropriate the necessary funds, and efforts to get a sales tax on the ballot were unsuccessful. However, in 2017 a 2 percent hotel/motel tax on Southside motels was passed by voters. It established a small, but bondable funding source for Southside projects.
In March of 2022, the SEDD board of commissioners approved a new plan and submitted it to the city for its necessary approval.
On May 24, 2022, the Monroe City Council unanimously approved SEDD’s ambitious new economic development plan designed to transform South Monroe with safe neighborhoods, expanded business and housing opportunities, and reduced crime over a 25 year period.
The plan became known as the “Southside Dream.”
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