Congressman Troy Carter says two major efforts could strengthen Louisiana communities, from high school sports in New Orleans to crawfish farms across the state.
Carter joined Talk 107.3 to discuss the groundbreaking of a new $16 million stadium in the Ninth Ward. The stadium will serve Carver High School and other schools across New Orleans. Carter said he helped secure $3 million in federal funding for the project.
The stadium will give student-athletes a modern place to play, practice and build pride. Carter said the facility will support mental, physical and emotional health while showing young people that they matter. The field should be completed next summer, according to Carter.
He credited local leaders, the city of New Orleans, state lawmakers, Raising Cane’s and LCMC Health for helping push the project forward. Carter said modern facilities matter because many older stadiums need upgrades, including restrooms, concession stands and seating areas.
Carter also discussed the CRAW Act, a bipartisan bill he introduced with Louisiana Congressmen Clay Higgins and Cleo Fields. CRAW stands for Crawfish Reclassification for Agricultural Workforce Act.
The bill would classify crawfish processing jobs as agricultural labor. That change would allow crawfish farms and processors to use the H-2A visa program, which supports temporary agricultural workers. Carter said the current H-2B program has limits that create challenges for crawfish businesses.
Carter said the bill would help protect Louisiana’s seafood industry and keep crawfish prices from rising because of labor shortages.
He said the effort has bipartisan support because crawfish plays a major role in Louisiana’s culture and economy. Carter also joked that he keeps Louisiana on the map in Washington by hosting crawfish boils, cooking gumbo and sending king cakes to members of Congress.
For Carter, both issues come back to the same goal: investing in Louisiana’s people, culture and future.