Read the full stored bill text
HLS 26RS-2108 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 66
BY REPRESENTATIVE WYBLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOP/DEPT: Requests Louisiana Economic Development to develop
and implement a coordinated rural economic development strategy
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
2 To urge and request Louisiana Economic Development, in conjunction with other state
3 agencies, to continue studying and evaluating the economic assets, infrastructure
4 capacity, workforce resources, and development opportunities present in rural
5 parishes of the state.
6 WHEREAS, since January 2024, Louisiana has experienced significant economic
7 momentum, including the announcement of more than ninety-three billion dollars in capital
8 investment, representing over twelve thousand eight hundred new direct jobs and eighteen
9 thousand retained jobs across multiple industry sectors; and
10 WHEREAS, key industry sectors including energy, manufacturing, petrochemical
11 production, liquefied natural gas, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and emerging
12 technologies have continued to expand, solidifying Louisiana's position as a national leader
13 in industrial development and global energy markets; and
14 WHEREAS, Louisiana's ports, transportation infrastructure, and natural resources,
15 many of which are located in or directly serve rural communities, have been instrumental
16 in supporting economic expansion and global trade; and
17 WHEREAS, rural communities comprise a substantial geographic and cultural
18 portion of the state and serve as the backbone of Louisiana's agricultural production, energy
19 infrastructure, fisheries, timber industry, manufacturing base, and natural resource economy;
20 and
Page 1 of 5
HLS 26RS-2108 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 66
1 WHEREAS, many of the state's largest industrial investments, infrastructure assets,
2 and energy facilities are located in rural parishes, generating employment opportunities and
3 local tax bases that benefit the entire state; and
4 WHEREAS, rural Louisiana faces distinct challenges, including population decline
5 in most regions, workforce access barriers, broadband connectivity gaps, healthcare access
6 shortages, and limited infrastructure capacity, which require targeted and coordinated policy
7 responses; and
8 WHEREAS, rural communities throughout Louisiana stand to benefit significantly
9 from numerous federal programs designed to support economic development, infrastructure
10 investment, workforce training, broadband deployment, and community revitalization,
11 including programs administered through the United States Department of Agriculture, the
12 Delta Regional Authority, the Economic Development Administration, the Federal
13 Communications Commission, and other federal agencies; and
14 WHEREAS, identifying, coordinating, and maximizing access to these federal
15 funding opportunities, in conjunction with state resources and local initiatives, can
16 strengthen rural infrastructure, expand economic opportunity, improve workforce readiness,
17 and support long-term sustainable development across Louisiana's rural parishes; and
18 WHEREAS, multiple state agencies play a critical role in rural economic vitality,
19 including but not limited to:
20 (1) The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
21 (2) The Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy.
22 (3) The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
23 (4) The Louisiana Department of Health.
24 (5) The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
25 (6) Louisiana Economic Development.
26 (7) Louisiana Works.
27 (8) The office of broadband development and connectivity.
28 (9) The office of community development.
29 (10) The office of rural development.
Page 2 of 5
HLS 26RS-2108 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 66
1 WHEREAS, while each agency carries specific statutory responsibilities, greater
2 interagency alignment and coordinated strategic planning would strengthen Louisiana's
3 ability to attract investment, support workforce development, improve infrastructure
4 deployment, and accelerate economic opportunity in rural parishes; and
5 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature has vested Louisiana Economic Development
6 with the authority and responsibility to formulate, implement, and coordinate programs to
7 promote and diversify the economic development of the state; and
8 WHEREAS, Louisiana Economic Development is authorized to assist in the
9 attraction, retention, expansion, and development of business and industry; to cooperate with
10 federal, state, regional, and local public agencies; to enter into cooperative endeavors; and
11 to coordinate activities designed to promote economic growth; and
12 WHEREAS, a more intentional, data-driven, and regionally coordinated rural
13 economic development strategy would enhance competitiveness, maximize return on state
14 and federal investments, and ensure that economic growth reaches every parish of the state.
15 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
16 commend the continued economic growth occurring throughout the state and recognizes the
17 essential role of rural communities in sustaining Louisiana's economic strength and global
18 competitiveness.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana acknowledges the
20 statutory authority granted to Louisiana Economic Development pursuant to R.S. 51:2301
21 et seq., to promote, coordinate, and assist in statewide economic development activities.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby urges and
23 requests Louisiana Economic Development, consistent with its authority pursuant to R.S.
24 51:2301 et seq., and in conjunction with other state agencies, to continue studying and
25 evaluating the economic assets, infrastructure capacity, workforce resources, and
26 development opportunities present in rural parishes of the state.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby directs
28 Louisiana Economic Development, consistent with its statutory authority, to develop and
29 implement a coordinated rural economic development strategy that does all of the following:
Page 3 of 5
HLS 26RS-2108 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 66
1 (1) Coordinates with the office of rural development and other relevant state
2 agencies to align economic development funding streams and strategic initiatives.
3 (2) Strengthens alignment between workforce development programs and rural
4 employer needs.
5 (3) Identifies industry sectors and competitive advantages uniquely suited for rural
6 parishes.
7 (4) Provides periodic reporting to the Legislature regarding measurable outcomes,
8 benchmarks, and progress in advancing rural economic growth.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby urges and
10 requests Louisiana Economic Development, consistent with its authority pursuant to R.S.
11 51:2301 et seq., to dedicate a staff person within the department to serve as a Rural
12 Economic Development Coordinator, whose responsibilities shall include implementing the
13 directives contained in this Resolution, facilitating interagency coordination related to rural
14 economic development initiatives, and tracking measurable outcomes in rural parishes.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana urges and requests
16 that all relevant state agencies cooperate with Louisiana Economic Development in carrying
17 out such coordinated efforts, consistent with existing statutory authority.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Louisiana Economic Development shall issue
19 a report to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2027, giving an update on the efforts
20 outlined in this Resolution.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
22 secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, the commissioner of administration, and the
23 heads of each relevant state agencies, to include the Louisiana Department of Agriculture
24 and Forestry, the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, the Louisiana
25 Department of Environmental Quality, the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana
26 Department of Transportation and Development, Louisiana Economic Development,
27 Louisiana Works, the office of broadband development and connectivity, the office of
28 community development, and the office of rural development.
Page 4 of 5
HLS 26RS-2108 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 66
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 66 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Wyble
Urges and requests Louisiana Economic Development, in conjunction with other state
agencies, to continue studying and evaluating the economic assets, infrastructure capacity,
workforce resources, and development opportunities present in rural parishes of the state.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the
original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Add a report from Louisiana Economic Development to the Legislature to be
issued by January 1, 2027.
Page 5 of 5