New report shows Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion’s extensive economic benefits

Written By Alicia Vial

Project estimated to create $1.9 billion in new sales for Plaquemines Parish and more than 3,000 jobs across five parishes

NEW ORLEANS — A new report released today by Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc. details the significant economic impacts of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion on Plaquemines Parish and the surrounding five parishes. The report, “The Economic Impact of Constructing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project,” showcases how Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Orleans, Jefferson and St. Tammany businesses, residents and governments will benefit economically during the combined five-year period when the diversion is being built.

The analysis indicates that the construction of the project, totaling $1.6 billion over five years, will have significant economic benefits within Plaquemines Parish and regionally.

“The construction of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion will have significant economic benefits that will reverberate not only throughout Plaquemines Parish but across the entire region,” said Dr. Loren Scott, president of Dr. Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc. “These are the kind of strong numbers parishes like to see in their future.”

In Plaquemines Parish specifically, new business sales are expected to increase by $1.9 billion and $65.4 million in revenues for local governments. Constructing this project will support an annual average of 540 jobs a year with a peak of 641 created in year three, which is more than the total number of people working in the Parish’s healthcare and social services sector. Over the five-year period, parish residents will experience a $308.2 million increase in household earnings. The diversion project will generate nearly a year’s worth of sales tax collections every year for five years. 

The benefits will extend to a broader region, including Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Orleans, Jefferson and St. Tammany Parishes. Regional new business sales will increase by more than $2.8 billion with a total impact of $103.6 million for local governments in the region, or an average of $20.7 million a year. Effectively, the number of jobs created by this project across these five parishes is approximately 30% of Plaquemines Parish employment. On average, 3,095 jobs will be supported during the five-year period with a peak of 3,647 jobs in year three. Across the five parishes, household earnings will increase by $1 billion on an average of $203.3 million a year.

“The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion is not only a foundational landscape-changing environmental project that will help protect our region against a changing future, but it also creates far-reaching economic opportunities for businesses and vital jobs for residents,” said Simone Maloz, campaign director of Restore the Mississippi River Delta. “This project enables Louisiana to transform one of its greatest challenges into an economic advantage.”

The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion will be located in Plaquemines Parish. Once built, this diversion will be operated strategically to deliver sediment, freshwater and nutrients from the Mississippi River into the Mid-Barataria Basin area to build and nourish tens of thousands of acres of wetlands over a 50-year period.

The report also found that the construction sector will benefit the most from this project, and should expect an increase of 1,883 jobs, $117.9 million in earnings for households and $345.8 million in sales in year three. Additionally, in terms of job benefits in year three, the retail sector will increase by 346 jobs and the healthcare and social services sector will increase by 218 jobs. Overall, there are 10 other sectors in the region’s economy that will pick up between 50 and 218 jobs, making the year three job creation benefits quite widespread.

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About Restore the Mississippi River Delta
Restore the Mississippi River Delta is working to protect people, wildlife and jobs by reconnecting the river with its wetlands. As our region faces the crisis of land loss, we offer science-based solutions through a comprehensive approach to restoration. Composed of conservation, policy, science and outreach experts from Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation and Pontchartrain Conservancy, we are located in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Washington, D.C.; and around the United States. Learn more at MississippiRiverDelta.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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