St. Mary Excel continues push for estuary reserve, runs membership campaign

(Editor's Note: This is the quarterly report from the citizens group St. Mary Excel on its third-quarter activities.)
St. Mary Excel has been working since 2018 across political subdivisions and the tenure of elected officials to implement recommendations of a community hosted Urban Land Institute panel visit.
St. Mary Excel submits reports quarterly to share progress toward panel recommendations.
St. Mary Excel submits this Quarter 3 of 2021 report. St Mary Excel:
—Hosted a local interest group meeting on Aug. 10, and made the meeting available on YouTube See parts 1-4 for the Aug. 10 meeting at https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=st.mary+excel
—Attended the state’s Atchafalaya River Basin Restoration and Enhancement virtual meeting,
—Applauded the award of two Atchafalaya National Heritage area grants. In the first, the town of Berwick received funds for the Brown House. In the second, the city of Morgan City received funding for seven additional subdivision signs.
The neighborhoods included are: Elliot, Walsh, Wyandotte, Golden Farms (Berwick), “Klingsville," “The Generals," “Coal Chute," and “Old Brashear.”
Persons in the named subdivisions should contact Laura Dozar at bdozar@teche.net to help select the neighborhood emblem.
—Continued to explore workforce development expansion in marine science and maritime training.
—Planned for National Estuarine Research Reserve Town Hall attendance and encouraged organizations and individuals to do the same. Resolutions of support have been submitted to the governor’s office by the city of Morgan City, St. Mary Parish Consolidated Government, the town of Berwick, the Port of Morgan City, the St. Mary Parish School Board, and St. Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin.
For more information on sending a resolution of support for your organization or as an individual email SaintMaryEXCEL@gmail.com.
Look for updated information on Town Hall meetings once Hurricane Ida recovery efforts subside.
—Communicated the benefits of the Atchafalaya Zone being named a National Estuarine Research Reserve by appearances at the Morgan City Rotary Club meeting; Community Foundation of Acadiana, St. Mary Parish Affiliate board meeting, KWBJ-22 Voice of the Coast talk show, and in two senior-level high school English classes.
—Applauded the city of Morgan City’s receipt of funding for biking/hiking paths from Recreational Trails ($277,000), Safe Routes to Public Places ($350,000), and Transportation Alternative Program ($425,423) grants.
In all the amount for Bike Morgan City path construction to date is nearly $1.2 million, which includes $102,000 from the H & B Young Foundation.
—Conducted a membership campaign allowing residents to receive direct e-mail copies of quarterly reports.
The campaign was been extended through Oct. 15 due to interruption in mail service. For more information on becoming a member, e-mail saintmaryexcel@gmail.com
—Initiated implementation of a USDA grant for business and entrepreneurial support in the Morgan City and Berwick area.
Free workshops are being provided in accessing historic and cultural tax credits, setting up a limited liability corporation, business budgeting, business accounting, business paperwork submission, and preparing for tax season sessions will be held. For more information see http://saintmaryexcel.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/BUSINESS-LEGAL-FLYE... or email saintmaryexcel@gmail.com
—Participated in the city of Morgan City’s branding initiative to update the City’s website and outreach.