BATON ROUGE – Last night in Farmerville, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) spoke at the annual awards banquet for the Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, where he met chamber officials, business owners and the Mayor of Farmerville, among others. He discussed how he’s supporting efforts by local businesses and community leaders to help families in Union Parish prosper.
“Union Parish is a great place to live,” said Dr. Cassidy. “My goal is to partner with the community so that Union Parish goes from great to even greater.”
Last August, Cassidy joined Governor Jeff Landry to announce the launch of the GUMBO 2.0 broadband program, putting into action a $1.35 billion investment from his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). It expands broadband access to 100,000 homes and 35,000 businesses in Louisiana, with many being in rural communities like those in Union Parish.
Money from the IIJA has also come to Union Parish to improve the intersection at LA 2 and LA 15, support the Union Parish Airport, and fund environmental remediation in Marion. Additionally, Cassidy secured an FY 2023 appropriation for a Boys and Girls Club facility in Farmerville, and participated in their ribbon cutting ceremony in August of 2023.
In attendance at the banquet was Mr. Jon McKinnie, President of the Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, who released a statement thanking Cassidy for his work on behalf of their community.
“Everyone in our community is grateful to Senator Cassidy for supporting Union Parish, including its residents and businesses,” said Mr. McKinnie. “We look forward to working with him to make this a better place to live and work.”
arlier in the day, Cassidy toured the Diesel Driving Academy’s location in Baton Rouge, where they train students to become commercial truck drivers, helping them obtain commercial driver’s licenses.
“Getting a commercial driver’s license is an entryway into better-paying jobs and a better life,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This is workforce development that benefits us all.”
As part of Cassidy’s IIJA, the Delta Regional Authority was given $150 million to support projects in rural and semi-rural parts of America that benefit local economies, including for workforce development. Announcements for such projects in Louisiana were made in October and June of 2023. Cassidy has also supported legislation that would make it easier for veterans to use their VA benefits to access trucking apprenticeship programs.
Cassidy was welcomed to Diesel Driving Academy headquarters by Mr. Barry Busada, their Senior Vice President.
“It’s an honor to have Senator Cassidy visit our truck driver training campus in Baton Rouge here today,” said Mr. Busada. “It gives him an opportunity to see firsthand how people are able to train for rewarding, high-paying, new careers in the transportation logistics industry. We appreciate his time and all the support he gives everyone here in Louisiana.”
