smooth commutes and bolstering its attractiveness for hybrid work arrangements. ECONOMIC PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT The economic landscape of Carencro is set for further transformation, and several ambitious projects are on the horizon. These initiatives aim to bolster the town’s infrastructure and attract new businesses, enhancing the community’s overall economic vitality. “Amazon was probably the last major project we worked on with the cityof Carencro,”says Deal.Bringing Amazon to Carencro required strategic maneuvering at the state level, ensuring the company’s needs were met while promising substantial job creation. “At the time, they were talking about 500 employees, and now they’re well over 1200,” she proudly states. The project created jobs and necessitated ongoing infrastructure improvements, such as streetlights and enhanced road safety measures for the increased traffic around the facility. Deal’s role is pivotal in this context. “Each of the municipalities has a dedicated liaison, and I’m the liaison for Carencro,” she explains. Her job involves addressing any issues that arise and facilitating the city’s efforts to attract new businesses.This proactive approach ensures that Carencro remains competitive and appealing to potential investors. One of the exciting initiatives in progress involves collaborating with Retail Strategies, a company based in Birmingham,Alabama.“We recently took a trip with all of our municipalities, including Carencro, to Retail Strategies,” Deal shares.This company specializes in teaching smaller municipalities the “secret sauce” for effectively recruiting retail businesses. By leveraging this knowledge, Carencro aims to expand its retail offerings, providing residents with more shopping and dining options while boosting the local economy. INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONNECTIVITY ENHANCEMENTS Carencro’s robust infrastructure projects encompass modernizing and maintaining essential services while preparing for future growth.These initiatives ensure that the community can thrive both economically and socially. Mayor Clavier outlines the city’s efforts to upgrade its water and sewer systems, which date back to the early 1900s. “We’re in the middle of replacing thousands of feet of old cast iron water lines,” she says, highlighting the urgency of updating these aging pipes. Additionally, the city is preparing to bid out a new sewer treatment facility, a significant investment in Carencro’s infrastructure that will support future development and improve current services. The parks department is also seeing revitalization. 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08
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