Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Local pastor and NAACP Ouachita Parish chapter President, Rev. Ambrose Douzart, said that he wants to "see some evidence" of economic progress in the community done by the Southside Economic Development District (SEDD). Douzart says he is not vindictive in his comments and concerns but that he "has not seen any evidence" of what the organization is supposed to be doing. "They [SEDD] have been around for a while now, but where are the results of what they set out to do?" said Douzart. Douzart noted that over recent years, the organization has acquired a building to operate and has even had several changes in leadership. Each time, the results (or lack thereof) in his estimation have been the same, with no signs of change or development to Monroe's south end. Douzart also shared that other economic development groups have had success accessing funding and support to pursue their economic initiatives and wonders why the same are not being done at SEDD. Douzart also wonders if SEDD's mission is to bring economic development to the south side of Monroe. To date, there have not been any announcements regarding what the organization's plans are for getting businesses and jobs on the southside. He doesn't mean fast-food jobs, but jobs from major companies like grocery chains (Walmart being one). "The problem is not having the land to develop projects; it is not knowing what plans are in development that can be implemented in the near future," said Douzart. He intends to continue speaking out until there are answers because the community deserves what was promised when the organization was initially founded. He is not alone. Many others share his concerns and wait to hear from an organization that promised to provide more opportunities.