Ouachita Parish was notified at the end of January that they have been designated one of 40 Renewal Communities nationwide. These renewal communities share in approximately $17 Billion worth of incentives to businesses located inside the perimeters of the Renewal Communities and who employ individuals living within the boundaries. HUD, as part of the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 authorized the establishment of 40 renewal communities across the country. The State of Louisiana received 4 of the 40, with Ouachita Parish receiving one of 12 Urban Renewal Communities nationwide