MONROE –This morning, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) spoke to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. His Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has made significant investments that will make it more likely that people will move to Monroe to raise a family or start a small business.
“I had the privilege today to speak with government and business leaders,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We talked about the partnership we have to make sure as much of the bipartisan infrastructure bill and other federal funds as possible come to this region to help our people. Businesses are taking those dollars and creating jobs. I’m glad we have that partnership.”
Thanks to the IIJA, Monroe is one step closer to its goal of building a passenger rail line connecting it to Ruston, Shreveport and eventually Dallas, thanks to a $500,000 investment last December. The passenger rail will make it easier for Monroe business owners to visit customers in Texas and for its residents to visit cities and towns in northern Louisiana. In addition, $2.2 million was provided by the Delta Regional Authority to widen and upgrade one mile of Fontana Road, which is near Monroe Regional Airport. Finally, a separate appropriation provided $520,000 to improve drinking water supplies in West Sterlington.
While at the Monroe Chamber, Cassidy also spoke about his efforts to stop illegal immigration, promote domestic energy production, and prevent a 21% cut in Social Security benefits over nine years, while eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which reduce benefits for state and local government retirees. Cassidy was welcomed at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast by Mr. Roy Heatherly, President and CEO of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
“Senator Cassidy is a true champion of Louisiana, especially Northeast Louisiana,” said Mr. Heatherly.“The Senator’s help has been a key factor in the success of many of our projects and in the advancement of others. He always takes the time to visit us, keep us updated and listen to our concerns. Thank you, Senator Cassidy.”
Cassidy then visited Mid South Extrusion (MSE), where he learned how the company produces plastic films that are used to package everything from fresh and frozen produce to paper towels and tissue products for sale in grocery stores.
“Mid South Extrusion is based in northern Louisiana and employs 220 people who make products that are shipped across the country and that we all come into contact with,” said Dr. Cassidy. “They are also active in workforce development and helping workers get better paying jobs. My goal is to support their business and help them train their workforce. I want workers to get better paying jobs.”
MSE is also an industry leader in supplying packaging films and bags to the comfort industry. Many of the mattresses, furniture, carpets and foam products sold in the United States are manufactured in part by MSE. The company employs 220 people in Ouachita Parish and has plans to expand. Cassidy was greeted at the company headquarters by Mark Kent Anderson Jr., executive vice president of sales and marketing.
“Today Mid South Extrusion had a productive visit from Senator Cassidy and his team,” said Mr Anderson. “We discussed important issues such as plastics, sustainability and workforce development. The visit represents a significant step forward and underscores the unwavering commitment of both policymakers and industry leaders to working together. This collaboration is not just about dialogue, but about concrete actions to pave the way to a sustainable future. It is a testament to how unity and a shared vision can create impactful change to improve our world. We thank Senator Cassidy and his team again for their visit and look forward to continuing this valuable conversation to improve our community and industry.”
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