U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy visited West Monroe to engage with local business and community leaders during a Coffee and Conversation event hosted by the West Monroe Chamber of Commerce. West Monroe Mayor Staci Mitchell joined the discussion, which focused on economic improvement in Northeast Louisiana and the impact of federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
“Leaders in West Monroe want their community to thrive,” said Dr. Cassidy. “They want better jobs with good pay, and quality health care. We discussed partnering to make our community, state, and country better for us all.”
The IIJA has provided financial support for infrastructure projects in Northeast Louisiana. In May, more than $355,000 was allocated to Monroe Regional Airport for runway rehabilitation. The previous October saw a $2.5 million grant for new passenger boarding bridges at the airport and a $509,000 grant to improve sewer infrastructure in downtown West Monroe.
Senator Cassidy also secured $1.35 billion for broadband internet expansion in Louisiana under IIJA funding. This initiative aims to extend broadband access to 35,000 businesses and 100,000 homes statewide, including many rural locations.
Additional regional projects have received support through appropriations bills championed by Cassidy. These include $4.5 million for Monroe’s Benoit Community Center and $794,000 for the West Monroe Police Department as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Senate appropriations process.
Cassidy expressed his support for President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill during the event—a measure designed to maintain low taxes on businesses across the region—and received appreciation from Mayor Mitchell.
“We thank U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy for being in the City of West Monroe today,” said Mayor Mitchell. “We appreciate Senator Cassidy’s efforts to bring millions of dollars in infrastructure projects to West Monroe, and for his help to keep health care at the forefront of discussions at the federal level as he worked with us to fight for Glenwood Regional Medical Center.”
Following his stop in West Monroe, Cassidy visited Life Choices of North Central Louisiana in Ruston—a pregnancy resource center that offers assistance to pregnant mothers facing unexpected pregnancies.
“We stand for life,” said Dr. Cassidy. “That means the life of the unborn child, and the life of the mother caring for her baby. Life Choices provides that for young mothers in need of their support.”
Life Choices is described as a pro-life Christian ministry offering services such as pregnancy testing, STD testing, ultrasounds, abortion pill reversal services, parenting classes, and material support like diapers and clothing through its Hope Shoppe program.
During his visit there, Cassidy was guided by Executive Director Kathleen Richard.
“The heartbeat of Life Choices and hope that the pregnancy help community offers is far different from the clamor and noise of the politics that often plays out around this tender topic in the media,” said Mrs. Richard. “The humanity of each person who walks through our doors is deserving of respect and hope for the situation she finds herself in. I am thankful for friends like Senator Cassidy in DC, who understands the important work of pregnancy centers like Life Choices and work tirelessly to pass life-affirming policies.”
