Lawmakers will spend megafund

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: May 14, 2009 - Page: 9A

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Lawmakers agreed Wednesday night to spend $230.5 million from an economic development megafund.

The money includes:

• $125 million for Federal City in New Orleans. 
• Up to $55.5 million for the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility.
• $50 million for a Union Parish chicken processing plant.

The chicken plant commanded most of the attention at the meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo!” state Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, said after the committee accepted the agreement.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said poultry, timber and retirement are the primary economic engines in northeast Louisiana.

The timber industry is struggling, he said.

Much focus has been given this session to the chicken plant.

Jindal brokered a deal with a California company after Pilgrim’s Pride announced it was closing the facility.

Earlier this week, Jindal signed legislation that qualifies the plant for the economic development megafund.

The $50 million includes money toward the purchase and upgrade of the plant.  Foster Poultry Farms of California is expected to match the state’s investment and take over the facility.

Some members of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget complained about not getting more time to review the agreement.

The agreement between the state and Foster Poultry Farms hinges on Foster buying the Pilgrim’s Pride plant by Sept. 1.