The Opelousas City Council voted to accept a $4,300,000 Connect Louisiana grant to fund construction of a multipurpose community center at South Park and authorized the mayor to sign grant documents.

Pervis Morrison, who presented the application work to the council, said state Connect LA funds (described at the meeting as a separate pot from broadband funding) awarded $4.3 million for a South Park multipurpose community center project. Morrison said the award requires no local match and that the funds are distinct from both broadband appropriations and local LCDBG funds previously earmarked for related projects.

Council members and attendees discussed how the Connect LA award complements previously identified funding sources. Council and staff said earlier plans had identified approximately $3.5 million in combined funds for the community center and adjacent library (including a proposed $1.0 million downtown‑development contribution and other state funds). Morrison and council members said the new $4.3 million award would fully fund the multipurpose center, allowing some previously earmarked local funding to be redirected to the library.

Vote and outcome: The council adopted the resolution authorizing the mayor to accept and sign whatever documents necessary to receive Connect LA funding; the roll call was 5 in favor and 1 opposed (Dalita Broussard voted no), recorded on the meeting minutes.

Why it matters: The grant would provide capital funding for a major community facility and reduce the need for a local cash match, staff said. Several speakers asked that the city ensure other neighborhoods also receive investment in time, and staff said the award funds an already‑planned South Park project that had prior design work.

Ending: The council recorded the resolution as Resolution No. 11 of 2025 and directed staff to proceed with required administrative steps for grant acceptance.