ED24AUS0G0099
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
This EDA investment will leverage recovery and resilience and workforce development in Chennault and Southwest Louisiana Resiliency District.
SOWELA Technical Community College and the City of Lake Charles are addressing the local and regional need for more jobs, economic advancement, and pilots by planning and establishing a flight training school to provide aspiring pilots with comprehensive training programs leading to a private pilot's license and commercial flight training.
The economic impact will equip students with the expertise required to pursue careers as professional pilots and fulfill the current demands for pilots whether it be commercial airlines or contract flying such as fish finders, pipeline surveyors, oil industry, or crop dusting.
Additionally, the flight school will be the impetus for additional private investment in the area.
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southwest Louisiana Regional Planning Commission.
EDA funds the Southwest Louisiana Regional Planning Commission to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
SOWELA Technical Community College and the City of Lake Charles are addressing the local and regional need for more jobs, economic advancement, and pilots by planning and establishing a flight training school to provide aspiring pilots with comprehensive training programs leading to a private pilot's license and commercial flight training.
The economic impact will equip students with the expertise required to pursue careers as professional pilots and fulfill the current demands for pilots whether it be commercial airlines or contract flying such as fish finders, pipeline surveyors, oil industry, or crop dusting.
Additionally, the flight school will be the impetus for additional private investment in the area.
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southwest Louisiana Regional Planning Commission.
EDA funds the Southwest Louisiana Regional Planning Commission to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
Funding Goals
SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, AWARDS MADE UNDER THIS NOFO WILL HELP COMMUNITIES AND REGIONS DEVISE AND IMPLEMENT LONG-TERM ECONOMIC RECOVERY STRATEGIES THROUGH A VARIETY OF NON-CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, AS APPROPRIATE, TO ADDRESS ECONOMIC CHALLENGES IN AREAS WHERE A PRESIDENTIAL DECLARATION OF A MAJOR DISASTER WAS ISSUED UNDER THE ROBERT T. STAFFORD DISASTER RELIEF AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT (42 U.S.C. SECTION 5121 ET SEQ.) (STAFFORD ACT) "AS A RESULT OF HURRICANES IAN AND FIONA, AND OF WILDFIRES, FLOODING, AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS OCCURRING IN CALENDAR YEARS 2021 AND 2022...."
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Lake Charles,
Louisiana
70615-6829
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Sowela Technical Community College was awarded
Flight Training School Boosting Economic Growth in Southwest Louisiana
Project Grant ED24AUS0G0099
worth $3,500,000
from Economic Development Administration in April 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Lake Charles Louisiana United States.
The grant
has a duration of 5 years and
was awarded through assistance program 11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance.
$3,133,200 (47.0%) of this Project Grant was funded by non-federal sources.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity FY 2023 Disaster Supplemental.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 8/29/25
Period of Performance
4/1/24
Start Date
4/1/29
End Date
Funding Split
$3.5M
Federal Obligation
$3.1M
Non-Federal Obligation
$6.6M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
ED24AUS0G0099
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
None
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
1331K5 DEPT OF COMMERCE EDA
Funding Office
1331K5 DEPT OF COMMERCE EDA
Awardee UEI
GPMMXSPLFAJ3
Awardee CAGE
369N0
Performance District
LA-03
Senators
Bill Cassidy
John Kennedy
John Kennedy
Modified: 8/29/25