St. Mary Excel reports on 3Q activities

(Editor's note: The St. Mary Excel citizens group submitted this account of its third-quarter activities.)

St. Mary Excel implements recommendations from the Urban Land Institute panel report, Morgan City and Berwick Louisiana: Building the Foundation for a New Economy Along the Atchafalaya River. See link on this story at StMaryNow.com.
During Q3 of 2025, St Mary Excel :
•Completed the Atchafalaya River Coastal Hub Strategic Plan with the Water Institute. 
This economic, infrastructure, and ecosystem plan included input from stakeholders: St. Mary Parish government, St. Mary Levee District, city of Morgan City, town of Berwick, city of Patterson, Governor’s Office, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Port of Morgan City, CTAC, USACE, USCG, Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau, industry and business leaders, and university partners (LSU, Nicholls, SoLAcc, Tulane, and UL Lafayette).
•Hosted a Community Update meeting Aug. 27. Presentations included: the Water Institute on the Atchafalaya River Coastal Hub (ARCH) Strategic Plan; Hospital Service District No. 2 on millage uses and physician needs assessment; St. Mary Chamber on its vision of being Rooted, Ready, and Resilient; St. Mary Levee District on the ARCH process; Louisiana University Marine Consortium on the ANERR update; Berwick mayor on the Civic Center recreation park; and the Shrimp and Petroleum board president on upcoming festivals.
St. Mary Parish Economic Development Director Evan Boudreaux facilitated the meeting. KBZE 105.9, KWBJ-22, and Greg Guarisco broadcast the meeting. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4C_3bx39pE
•Presented the ARCH plan to the St. Mary Parish Council on Sept. 24. Copies were provided to the parish president and council members. St. Mary Parish RESTORE dollars funded the plan following a public hearing.
•Provided copies of the ARCH strategic plan to the St. Mary Chamber and St. Mary Parish Economic Development director for their Washington D.C. fly-in meetings with the legislative delegation and staff.
•Noted the city of Morgan City’s receipt of a $16.7 million RAISE grant. 
CAO Charlie Solar announced the grant will fund infrastructure for: accessing South Louisiana Community College–Young Memorial campus; restoring trails from levee replacements; and improving area connections.
The infrastructure upgrade plan was developed in 2017 with support from the H & B Young Foundation, following a St. Mary Chamber of Commerce Quality of Life survey showing public support
The master plan included input from the City of Morgan City, Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau, Consolidated Gravity District #2, St. Mary Levee District, and St. Mary Excel. The plan was shared through public meetings and community updates.
•Facilitated conversation about a swimming pool project. Discussions between the city of Morgan City, town of Berwick, Hospital Service District No. 2, the St. Mary Parish School Board and Ochsner St. Mary explored how each entity may have needs or resources for this recreation and wellness project.