On Saturday, <strong>August</strong> 5 in Alexandria, 14 Louisiana municipalities – Jean Lafitte, Cheneyville, Plaquemine, Broussard, Woodworth, Franklin, West Monroe, Cankton, Carencro, Baker, Lake Charles, Many, Patterson, and Gonzales won top honors at the Louisiana Municipal Association’s Community Achievement Awards for exceptional improvements and accomplishments for the 2022 calendar year. The prestigious awards, categorized under Community Development, Economic Development, Basic Services, and Technology & Connectivity, recognize the perseverance, dedication, and tireless efforts of elected municipal officials and their teams across various municipalities. “The Community Achievement Awards are very important because they give the municipalities the opportunity to showcase the projects going on in their cities, as well as other municipalities seeing what’s going on in neighboring communities,” said Past President Jennifer Vidrine. The pinnacle of the evening was the awarding of the Town of Jean Lafitte with the LMA’s 22nd Annual ‘Best of Show’ Award for “The Rosethorne Tidal Levee Project” – the second win in a row for the town. A monumental endeavor, this $34 million dollar project spans across approximately 580 acres, encompassing 150 homes, 5 businesses, and 4 government buildings. Started in 2022, this twophase project, set to conclude in 2024, marks a collaborative effort between numerous mayoral tenures and parish, state, and federal officials. Designed to safeguard against 10-year tidal or rainfall flooding, the project not only embodies the community’s resilience but also its commitment to ensuring long-term environmental protection and sustainability for its residents. “I want to congratulate all our Community Achievement Award winners,” said LMA Executive Director John Gallagher. “There were some creative and fascinating entries. I want to also give a special congratulations to Jean Lafitte on their second Best of Show win in as many The following is the list of honorable mentions and winners for each 86 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION Community Achievement Awards category and division: Community Development Category • 3,000 and under population: Honorable Mentions: Town of Brusly (St. James Park) and Town of Port Barre (Splash Pad in Veterans’ Memorial Park). Winner: Town of Cheneyville (Park Revitalization). • 3,001 to 10,000 population: Honorable Mentions: Town of Ball (Children’s Playground) and Town of Richwood (Health and Resource Fair). Winner: City of Plaquemine (Development of Fort Area Park). • 10,001 to 25,000 population: Honorable Mentions: City of Natchitoches (Texas and Pacific Depot Rehabilitation Project) and City of Pineville (KEYS to the Renovation of KEES PARK). Winner: City of Broussard (Envision Broussard – Phase 1). Economic Development Category • 3,000 and under population: Honorable Mention: Village of Gilbert (Community Playground Project). Winner: Town of Woodworth (Glow Up!). • 3,001 to 10,000 population: Winner: City of Franklin (Franklin Loop Paddle Trail). • 10,001 to 25,000 population: Winner: City of West Monroe (Highland Park Property Re-use Project). Basic Services Category City of Carencro • 3,000 and under population: Honorable Mentions: Town of New Llano (New Llano Fire Department – Main Station) and Town of Sarepta (Updating Town Hall). Winner: Village of Cankton (Village of Cankton Water System Improvements). • 3,001 to 10,000 population: Honorable Mentions: Town of Franklinton (Varnado, 18th, and Alford Street Project) and Town of Iowa (Wastewater Treatment Pond Oxidation Repairs). Winner: City of Carencro (2015 Force Main and Sewer Infrastructure Upgrades – Phase II). • 10,001 to 25,000 population: Honorable Mention: City of Youngsville (Downtown Streetscape). Winner: City of Baker (LYNX Microtransit project). • 25,001 and over population: Winner: City of Lake Charles (Drainage Improvement Program). Technology & Connectivity Category • 3,000 and under population: Honorable Mention Town of Simmesport (Splash Pad). Winner: Town of Many (Automatic Reading Water Meters). • 3,001 to 10,000 population: Winner: City of Patterson’s (Town Hall Meetings Project). • 10,001 to 25,000 population: Winner: City of Gonzales (Gonzales Climate Action and Resilience Plan). Entries submitted were judged by a committee of judges from Louisiana Economic Development, Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association, Capital Region Planning Commission, and the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal. LMA extends its warmest congratulations to all winners and honorable mentions for their commendable endeavors. The Community Achievement Awards Judging Committee also extends its gratitude to LMA for promoting and recognizing these exceptional municipal achievements. Page 30 LMR | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER <strong>2023</strong>
86 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION BEST OF SHOW Town of Jean Lafitte City of Natchitoches City of Baker Town of Simmesport City of Gonzales Town of Many City of Patterson City of Youngsville Town of Port Barre LMR | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER <strong>2023</strong> Page 31
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