The Beauregard Parish Police Jury is expected to vote on a resolution next week to seek state help to be included in a Louisiana Chemical Zone and Industry map published by LSU.

During committee meetings this week, Police Juror Mike Harper recommended to the legislative committee that the panel approach local representatives and senators to seek support in including Beauregard on the map that he said attracts manufacturers and industries.

“The parishes highlighted on this map qualify for a lot more federal help by being in that zone,” Harper said. “By not being included in the zone, Beauregard Parish is missing out on a lot of potential interest from big industries.”

According to Harper, the map is published by LSU every two years, with one set to be released in 2018. He said that with the help of state representatives, the Police Jury could contact LSU to request being considered for the state’s “chemical zone.”

He said through the inclusion in the map, the parish could qualify for infrastructure assistance in the case of a manufacturer wishing to come to the area. He said not only could the map draw attention to the parish’s certified work site located just outside of the DeRidder airport, but it could also bring attention to the Longville area’s potential for growth.

“That area is really starting to grow, and I believe it has a great amount of potential for an industry looking to expand in our area,” he said.

Police Juror Carlos Archield agreed with Harper’s suggestion, and placed the item on the agenda for Tuesday night to be voted on by the entire panel.

“We have three state representatives who cover this parish in different areas, and we need to make something happen through them. It’s frustrating to feel like with all that representation we have no voice,” Archield said.