Baton Rouge, LA – Relief is on the horizon for Louisiana businesses, industries, and farmers as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved Governor Jeff Landry’s request for a Disaster Declaration covering all 64 parishes in the state. The declaration comes in response to the significant economic impact of last year’s extreme drought conditions, which affected over 365,000 acres of land and caused widespread damage to the agriculture industry.
The drought not only inflicted hardships on farmers but also triggered saltwater intrusion from the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway, leading to low levels in the Mississippi River. This chain of events severely impacted crawfish farmers, processors, restaurants, grocery stores, and boilers, disrupting the entire crawfish supply chain and causing economic losses for the crawfish aquaculture industry.
In a statement, Governor Jeff Landry expressed gratitude for the federal disaster declaration, emphasizing the importance of providing economic relief to Louisiana’s crawfish businesses and farmers. He commended the support of the Louisiana delegation, particularly Representatives Carter, Higgins, and Scalise, in securing this critical assistance.
Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02), echoed the governor’s sentiments, highlighting the cultural significance of the crawfish industry in Louisiana. He emphasized the vital role of federal resources in helping crawfish farmers and related businesses recover from financial setbacks caused by climate events.
The approval of the disaster declaration signals a significant step forward in supporting Louisiana’s agricultural community, which plays a crucial role in the state’s economy and cultural heritage. The relief efforts aim to alleviate the financial burdens faced by crawfish farmers and businesses, ensuring the preservation of this cherished tradition for generations to come.
As Louisiana continues its recovery efforts, the collaboration between state and federal authorities underscores the commitment to providing assistance to those affected by natural disasters and economic challenges.
For more information on relief efforts and resources available to Louisiana businesses and farmers, visit the official website of the U.S. Small Business Administration.