At the St. Tammany Chamber’s State of the Parish Breakfast yesterday at Beau Chene Country Club about150 business people heard Parish President Mike Cooper give a detailed report on the parish.
Facts shared included a 13 percent increase in sales tax revenue in 2021, building permits up by 200, and a new population number of 263,000 making St Tammany the fourth largest parish in the state.
Cooper talked about Ida, saying 99% of local power was disrupted and approximately 2.6 million yards of debris had to be removed.
He talked a good bit about road and bridge projects and the proposed interstate and highway projects planned to help with traffic.
Cooper also spoke about funding received through the American Rescue Plan of 2021 and where that money will go.
Cooper also addressed his controversial proposed development moratorium. He showcased a video that said if the parish does not get a handle on rampant development, it cannot adequately plan for the future. He does not want to stop quality development, Cooper said, but he does want to stop development at any cost.
