USDA Rural Development Awards Grant to South Central Planning and Development Commission to Strengthen Bagasse Supply Chain

(Alexandria, La., October 2, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Louisiana State Director Troy Romero today announced the agency is awarding a $74,975 grant to South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCP&DC) to provide technical assistance to strengthen the sugarcane bagasse economy.

"This investment empowers the South Central Planning and Development Commission to support local businesses while optimizing our regional sugarcane bagasse supply chain," said Romero. "By backing projects like this, USDA is delivering on its mission to fuel economic growth and build more resilient rural communities."

This funding, awarded through the Rural Business Development Grants program will help SCP&DC provide technical assistance to companies to upgrade and explore opportunities to strengthen the sugarcane bagasse supply chain. Support will be provided to local farming sector, transportation, and biofuel manufacturing companies to stimulate and accelerate rural economic development in Lafourche Parish.

"SCP&DC's mission is to help our communities identify opportunities, strengthen local economies, and position South Central Louisiana for sustainable growth and future investment," said SCP&DC's CEO Kevin Belanger. "This USDA Rural Development grant represents an important opportunity to advance the priorities identified in our Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy while creating new economic opportunities for rural communities across the region. For our rural communities, the project represents more than an examination of a new technology or manufacturing opportunity. It is an effort to identify practical pathways for rural economic diversification, strengthen the connection between agriculture and advanced manufacturing, and create conditions that can attract private-sector investment."

USDA's Rural Business Development Grants program supports targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities that promote the development and expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas.

Learn more about funding opportunities and investments like this online at www.rd.usda.gov , subscribe for updates , and follow us on X at RD Louisiana .

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