Feds come through with funds to finish EOC work

The original plans for Morgan City’s new Emergency Operations Center included a warehouse for emergency materials and supplies. But there wasn’t enough money in 2015, so the warehouse had to wait.
In 2023, the federal government awarded a grant for construction of the warehouse. But the grant wasn’t funded.
Then, on March 22, the same budget deal that warded off a partial federal government shutdown directed $2.3 million to the Port of Morgan for the long-deferred warehouse.
“We’re guaranteed,” port Executive Director Raymond “Mac” Wade said. “We’re in. We’ve got it.”
U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette and the man who represents most of St. Mary in the House, announced the $2.3 million in funding late last week. The same press release announced $2 million in funding for a biomedical research facility at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Wade also credited Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, for his work on behalf of the warehouse project on the U.S. Senate side.
Now the Emergency Operations Center has the money to build the 10,000-square-foot warehouse, eight years after the center opened. The center houses U.S. Coast Guard personnel and the St. Mary Levee District office as well as the port administration.
“We had to take our time for the right opportunity,” Wade said.
The Higgins press release noted that the congressman voted against House Resolution 1102, which authorized the funding.
“I opposed House Resolution 1102 because of the total level of overall spending and the removal of many Conservative policy riders through the Senate,” Higgins said in his press release.
“However, I dedicated months of effort to get our community funding language included in the 12 appropriations bills that were passed through the House.
“My office worked very closely with our local government entities and district stakeholders for the better part of 2023 to secure Louisiana 3rd District funding in the legislation. These projects are critical for South Louisiana’s economic prosperity and financial growth.
“My office has long prioritized funding for our communities, and we will continue to work through the Congressional appropriations process to deliver wins for Louisiana.”
GOMESA
money
On Monday, Higgins’ office also announced that $1.3 million for St. Mary Parish is included in $156.3 million being distributed from Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act funds.
The federal government collects GOMESA funds from offshore energy producers and distributes it to coastal counties and parishes. Higgins said the money headed for St. Mary will be used for coastal restoration work.
“This announcement is a major investment for South Louisiana’s prosperity,” Higgins said. “GOMESA provides critical funding for coastal restoration and mitigation efforts along Louisiana’s coast.