Study Aims to Show Plant Site Could be Ready Fast

An upcoming study could show that a Richland Parish industrial site could be ready for use within less than two years if chosen by a company.

One of the things the study is expected to show is that the 1,425-acre Franklin Farms tract could be raised to a 500-year floodplain relatively quickly and inexpensively, The News-Star of Monroe reports (http://tnsne.ws/UXSepa).

Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance President Tana Trichel and Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret have said accelerating the Richland Parish site's "speed to market" is a top priority. Previous estimates of speed to market have been as many as 30 months. Trichel says the new study should show the site could be ready in 18 to 20 months.

The study is supposed to be complete before the end of March.