Terrebonne Economic Development Group Winding Down

HOUMA, La. (AP) — The Terrebonne Parish Economic Development Authority is preparing to put itself out of business.

At a Friday board meeting, the authority committed to pass a streamlined budget aimed at ending its operations.

The Houma Courier reports that Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet (klaw-DAY') on Friday addressed the organization's board for the first time since he proposed stripping the organization of $600,000 from parish occupational licensing fees.

Claudet had numerous complaints about the authority. They included its lack of familiarity with state incentive programs and lack of follow-up on leads passed along by the parish administration.

The board committed to amending its budget at a Jan. 8 meeting after a committee has had time to discuss severances for authority employees and other matters pertaining to the organization going dormant.