The Louisiana Office of Rural Development
The Governor’s Office of Rural Development represents a multifaceted, multidisciplinary outreach approach by Governor Jeff Landry to localities across Louisiana. All across this state, once-thriving communities have seen generations of young people leave in search of economic opportunities. The Rural Development team focuses on connecting federal, state, and local funding efforts to maximize the potential for community improvements. By building the systems necessary to sustain growth, this team is helping create new life and opportunity in Louisiana.
Gov. Landry has taken existing efforts to scale by pulling the Office of Rural Development under the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. This has created an integrated network of Regional Directors who serve the state in multiple capacities. Specific focus areas are economic development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, clean water, agriculture and forestry, workforce development, and broadband, as well as working to create opportunities with federal and regional grants and funding.
Team Members
Kyle Ardoin
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
Kyle.Ardoin@LA.GOV
225.506.6407
Karen Day White
Director of Office of Rural Development
Karen.White3@LA.GOV
225.506.6426
JT Hannan
Regional Director, Region 1
New Orleans Regional Planning Commission
Parishes: Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines
JT.Hannan@LA.GOV
225.506.6408
Major Coleman
Regional Director, Region 2
Capital Region Planning Commission
Parishes: Ascension, EBR, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Point Coupee, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana
Major.Coleman@LA.GOV
225.328.3692
Doug Cheramie
Regional Director, Region 3
South Central Planning and Development District
Parishes: Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, Terrebonne
Doug.Cheramie@LA.GOV
225.276.6315
Alison (Ali) Bates
Regional Director, Region 4
Acadiana Planning Commission
Parishes: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, Vermillion
Alison.Bates@LA.GOV
225.481.3170
Roby Dyer
Regional Director, Region 5
Southwest Louisiana Regional Planning Commission
Parishes: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis
Roby.Dyer@LA.GOV
225.506.6392
Azar Kayal
Regional Director, Region 6
Kisatchi Delta Regional Planning and Development District
Parishes: Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides, Vernon, Winn
Azar.Kayal@LA.GOV
225.405.3181
Shane Cheatham
Regional Director, Region 7
The Coordinating & Development Corporation
Parishes: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Webster
Region 8
North Delta Regional Planning & Development District
Parishes: Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, West Carroll
Programs
Louisiana prioritizes rural economic development, offering incentives and resources to empower small businesses, spurring growth, and fostering local prosperity.
Partners
The Louisiana Economic Development (LED) team works in partnership with rural stakeholders, local, regional, and federal organizations to drive progress in rural communities across the state. In every effort, area, and initiative, we work to elevate and support community-led efforts to revitalize rural communities.