“We took over running our parks department on December 1st and are working on projects to enhance those parks,” she explains. The city’s focus on green spaces aims to improve residents’ quality of life, provide more recreational opportunities, and maintain the town’s family-friendly environment. Carencro’s gas lines are also undergoing significant upgrades. The mayor notes,“We received a grant to replace our cast iron gas lines throughout town.” This project is part of a broader initiative to ensure the reliability and safety of the city’s utility services. ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY Carencro’s progress extends beyond economic development to include a range of civic and social initiatives that foster a sense of community and enhance the quality of life. These efforts ensure that the town is a place to live and work and where people feel genuinely connected and valued. “We look at our citizens as stakeholders,” says Beduze. This perspective drives the city’s efforts to retain and expand its population by making Carencro an inviting place for families to settle and grow. A standout initiative has been the introduction of Senior Bingo. “The mayor had a goal to bring the elderly population out since COVID to network and socialize,” he shares. This program has become a hit, drawing crowds of 120 to 140 senior citizens who gather for bingo, cookies, and coffee.The smiles and joy of participants reflect the success of this 79 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08 CARENCRO, LA
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