News & Events

Boulevard named for Maxine Sarpy

                                                                                   January 29, 2009

BOULEVARD NAMED IN HONOR OF MAXINE SARPY

BY CADDO/BOSSIER PORT COMMISSION

SHREVEPORT, La. - In its regular board meeting on January 22, the board of commissioners of the Caddo/Bossier Port Commission presented two resolutions: naming an access road at The Port of Shreveport-Bossier "Maxine Sarpy Boulevard," and recognizing Mrs. Sarpy's many contributions and strong support of The Port of Shreveport-Bossier.

Mrs. Sarpy served as a commissioner from 1993 to 2007, as well as Secretary-Treasurer in 1994, Vice President in 1995 and President and Chairman of the Port Expansion Committee in 1996.

She was also a leader in the local campaign to pass a property tax for The Port within Caddo and Bossier parishes in 1993. As a result, the efforts of the "People for Jobs" campaign helped The Port bring $600 million in public and private investment and 1000 new jobs to The Port of Shreveport-Bossier.

In 2007, The Port of Shreveport-Bossier successfully recruited Pratt Industries (USA) to The Port, representing the single largest investment to date. The $150 million project created the need for additional Port access roads for Pratt and other Port customers.

Maxine Sarpy Boulevard runs roughly east-west of the south side of the Pratt Paper Recycling Mill which connects John Holt Blvd. to the new Richard Pratt Drive.

The 2,000-plus acre Port of Shreveport-Bossier is located at the head of navigation on the Red River Waterway in Northwest Louisiana, about four miles south of the City of Shreveport. An inland multi-modal transportation and distribution center, The Port works hand in hand with the port system of Louisiana to successfully link customers throughout the Ark-La-Tex region to domestic and international markets via the Mississippi River, the nation's largest river system, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

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Submitted by: Emi FitzGerad / Gremillion & Pou and Associates, Inc. / 318.424.2676 x319 / efitzgerald@gpmarketinginc.com

Released by: Marilyn Haley, Public Affairs Manager / The Port of Shreveport-Bossier/ 318.524.2272 /

mhaley@portsb.com