In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and its devastating impact on South Louisiana, Terrebonne Parish was awarded over $117 million in federal relief funds to aid in long-term recovery, as per this article from HoumaToday. This substantial allocation—totaling $117,627,676—came with stipulations: each project had to be formally proposed by the parish and individually approved before any funds could be distributed or spent. Furthermore, all funds must be utilized before the deadline of August 2027.

As of now, 14 out of 28 submitted projects have received the green light. According to Terrebonne Parish Planning and Zoning Director Christopher Polaski, the approval process has moved slower than anticipated, largely due to the high volume of submissions from across Louisiana. He noted that this wasn’t just about Hurricane Ida; previous storms like Laura and Delta have also contributed to the mounting need for recovery initiatives, overwhelming the system that administers these funds.

Among the most ambitious of the approved projects is the development of a small business incubator in downtown Houma. The parish purchased the Whitney Bank building with the intent to convert it into a supportive hub for local entrepreneurs. While the bank continues to rent out the bottom floor, the remainder of the structure will be transformed into incubator space using $1.5 million in recovery funds.

Another major initiative focuses on the restoration of housing and human services offices. The original facility was lost to Ida, and plans are underway to establish a new office under the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program. While the total cost of the project stands at approximately $5 million, about $2 million will come directly from the federal recovery allocation.

To support the region’s vital seafood industry, $3 million has been approved for the second phase of Terrebonne’s seafood aid program. The first phase provided financial assistance for equipment replacement. This next step will fund a comprehensive study to determine the best use of remaining funds, possibly supporting projects like public docks or a cold storage facility equipped with backup power.

Infrastructure repairs and studies make up a significant portion of the approved Hurricane Ida relief projects. A $1.5 million sewage system study will assess both the current infrastructure and the treatment facilities, with the goal of making joint improvements across the system. Parish President Jason Bergeron emphasized that the two components—collection and treatment—must be updated together for any upgrades to be effective.

Another $1.5 million will go toward the replacement of the main 24-inch water line, a critical piece of infrastructure for Terrebonne Parish. Similarly, $3 million has been designated for upgrades along Main Street, aimed at both beautification and traffic calming. This project will align with a road exchange agreement between the parish and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD).

Another environmentally-focused project involves a 4,000-acre stormwater management basin made possible through a land donation by Shell. The basin is designed to hold approximately 1.7 billion gallons of water and will also serve as a space for recreation and wildlife conservation. This project has received $9 million in funding.

On the education and workforce front, Terrebonne Parish is investing in the future with a new aviation program at the Houma-Terrebonne Airport. The parish has already purchased two hangars and is currently recruiting instructors for a program focused on Aviation Maintenance Technician training. This initiative has been granted $5 million.

These approved projects reflect a wide-ranging and multifaceted approach to Terrebonne Parish’s post- Hurricane Ida recovery—spanning infrastructure repair, economic development, environmental stewardship, and cultural revitalization. As the parish continues to submit proposals, more efforts are expected to be funded in the coming months.

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