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IMPERIAL CALCASIEU REGiONAL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Welcome to IMCAL
Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning & Development Commission (IMCAL) serves the parishes of Calcasieu, Beauregard, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Allen in Southwest Louisiana
About Us: A Look Inside The Regional Planning Commission
IMCAL is an acronym for the Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning and Development Commission is derived from the colonial title describing the five-parish Southwest Louisiana region.
IMCAL was formed in 1972 by local government and business leaders from throughout the five parish area who recognized the need for a multi-jurisdictional agency that could serve a wide variety of needs.
IMCAL is the only organization in Southwest Louisiana that has representation and receives funding from the entire five-parish area. Our board of directors is made up of elected and appointed officials from throughout the five parishes and eighteen municipalities of Southwest Louisiana.
Although we receive funding from federal, state, and local sources, we are neither a federal, state, nor local government entity. We are a quasi-governmental agency, which is governed by our Board of Directors.
IMCAL is a professional organization whose primary goal is the continued growth and development of Southwest Louisiana. We provide "hands on" technical assistance to local governments, businesses, and individuals. Many times we are their only source of assistance.
Since 1972
The need for a regional approach to the challenges in Southwest Louisiana, and a center of excellence to address these problems, is perhaps more prevalent today than when the Commission was formed. IMCAL has come a long way since 1972. Although areas of emphasis have changed somewhat over the years, one fact still remains -- coordination, objectivity, impartiality, and a comprehensive, approach to a regional development are the cornerstone of IMCAL's existence.
Each member parish provides three representatives plus one extra member for each 10,000 of its population, or a fraction thereof. At least two-thirds (2/3) of each parish’s membership to the Commission consist of elected officials of member units of government.
The Board of Directors meets quarterly on IMCAL business. The Board of Directors is also assisted by an Executive Committee, which consist of seven to thirteen Board of Director members. The Executive Committee meets monthly on IMCAL’s minor business allowing the full Board to meet on more major business issues outlined in its Bylaws. All meetings are public and public notice is submitted to the local journal for advertisement.
2013 IMCAL Executive Committee Members
Chairperson - Mayor Carol Ponthieux
Vice Chair - Mayor Eddie B. Alfred Jr
Secretary - John Cardone
Treasurer - Treasurer
IMCAL also serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Lake Charles metropolitan area. The MPO consist of a decision making body (Transportation Policy Committee), a technical advisory body (Technical Advisory Committee), and transportation staff members.
2013 Transportation Policy Committee Members
Mayor Randy Roach (City of Lake Charles)-Chairman
Mayor Chris Duncan (City of Sulphur)-
Vice Chairman
Mayor Dan Cupit (City of Westlake)
Wes Crain (Calcaseiu Parish Policy Jury)
Steve Jiles (DOTD District #7 Executive Administrator)
Staff:
Grant Bush, Executive Director, gbush@imcal.org
Donna Duhon, Accountant, donna@imcal.org
Dwight Minton, Planner III & GIS Administrator, dwight@imcal.org
Jerry Jones, Jr., Economic Development Planner, jerry@imcal.org
Jill Lavender, Transportation Planner II, jill@imcal.org
Alicia Ball, Transportation Planner I, alicia@imcal.org
Phone: (337) 433-1771
Fax: (337) 433-6077