Once ignored Red River now an economic mainstay

Once criticized as a “boondoggle” and an impossible dream, the navigable Red River is pumping new money and increasing economic development in the seven parishes it serves, a new economic impact study states.
The Red River Waterway Commission (RRWC) recently received the report from Loren Scott & Associates on the river’s economic impact. Scott told the RRWC that the
navigation project has brought in several new industries and the jobs that come with them and over $7.1 billion in revenue.
When adjusted for inflation, the economic impact is almost $9.9 billion. Closer to home, “Big Red” has provided more and better recreation opportunities and increased industrial and economic development, Avoyelles’ commissioner Larry Sayes said.
“It’s exciting to see industry and recreation growing here because of the river,” Sayes said. “There are barge loads of cargo moving up and down the river 24/7.” Sayes said recreation on Red River has dramatically increased since all five locks-and-dams were completed. Before then, few people thought of the river as a place for recreation.
“The Avoyelles Port is the brightest spot for industrial growth in Avoyelles Parish,” Sayes said. “It’s actually on the Atchafalaya, but it is the ‘Gateway to the Red River’ and the Waterway Commission considers it part of our system and mission.” Sayes said the Avoyelles Port can accept larger barges than the Red River ports because it is a deeper port.
“We hope to be able to have large vessels at that port offload onto smaller barges for transporting up the Red River,” Sayes said.
The seven parishes in the Waterway District are Avoyelles, Rapides, Grant, Natchitoches, Red River, Bossier and Caddo. The district cuts a diagonal swath through the state from Shreveport to Simmesport. Over that seven-parish area, the Red River generated about $1 billion in 2013 alone, Scott told the RRWC.
“The Commission members are extremely pleased with the findings,” RRWC Executive Director Ken Guidry said. “We have worked diligently with the parishes and communities along the Red River to help build an even better economy. One of our goals has been to help create jobs and opportunities, while maintaining the quality of life aspects of the river.”
In Avoyelles Parish, the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Navigation Project -- it’s official name -- claims the Avoyelles Parish Port at Simmesport, Lindy C. Boggs Lock & Dam #1, John H. Overton Lock & Dam #2 and the Brouillette and Ben Routh recreation areas. The RRWC also lists the Old River Lock & Dam as one of its recreation areas. It is considered an Avoyelles site, even though it is located just outside the RRWC’s southernmost parish.
“The RRWC's impact on economic development along the Red River is the best kept secret in Louisiana,” Scott said. Scott’s study shows new spending related to the river at $9.9 billion and new business sales at $14.7 billion. The RRWC estimates all river-related taxes to local governments in the seven parishes totaled $272.3 million in 2013. The report indicates that making the Red River navigable has attracted new industries to the area and allowed existing industries to expand.
Many business use the river to ship inbound and outbound cargo. Those who don’t use the waterway still benefit because the cheaper mode of transportation keeps other transport costs down as well. The RRWC owns and manages approximately 30,000 acres along the river. Most of that land was acquired for U.S. Corps of Engineers construction projects. The commission also manages property leases to optimize the public’s use of the waterway lands.
Another major function of the RRWC is the development, operation and maintenance of recreation facilities. The recreation facilities attracted over 1.7 million visitors a year, according to a recent survey. RRWC also participates in economic development for the waterway district parishes by providing assistance to the ports to develop initial facilities, as well as providing and maintaining navigable channels between the ports and the river channel.