Mayor Helps Move Simsboro Forward

The town of Simsboro got a boost to it's bank account to help residents fix their homes.

The USSA Rural Development gave the Lincoln parish village over $134 thousand to help low income families give their homes a face lift.

The federal grant will go to help restore at least 10 residences in the rural community of Simsboro.

That’s just the beginning for Simsboro, officials say there's more good economic news on the horizon.

Mayor Willie Hendricks and the town council are working to improve the quality of life and that includes adding jobs and revenue.

Just eight years ago, Willie Hendricks was a new Simsboro resident from Seattle, Washington.

Now he's helping the town apply big city ideas to the rural town of only a thousand.

When Willie Hendricks rolled into the village of Simsboro in 2002 from Seattle, he says he was shocked.

"I asked citizens where do you go for medical care and everyone said we go to Ruston, we go to Monroe, we go to Shreveport and I said that's unacceptable,” said Mayor Hendricks.

Now in his third year as mayor, he says he's on a mission to see that all one thousand residents enjoy the quality of life.

He says a hospital has already agreed to bring a clinic to Simsboro.

"As soon as I get the building, the hospital's agreed it will take about 3 months to get it up and running,” said Mayor Hendricks.

That’s just one of Hendrick's ideas that fills up a white board for all to see at town hall.

"No hidden agendas everything that's occurring in Simsboro is on the board,” said Mayor Hendricks

"Going green to save the environment is part of the clear revenue picture for Simsboro. Here at the wastewater treatment plant, in three months they plan to reuse, recycle and resell wastewater for everything except drinking; pouring money back into the community.

"(The wastewater can be used for) local fire protection, irrigation, road construction,” said Simsboro Water and Sewer Superintendent Shelby Kelley.

"Not only do we get a revenue source, we are doing our part with our environment with the Sparta,” said Mayor Hendricks.

Mayor Hendricks says adding jobs is at the top of his list...

He says he's talking to manufacturer that will bring  30 jobs plus more.

“(It) will also mirror and compliment an existing business in Simsboro and will allow them to grow,” said Mayor Hendricks.

It’s that hard working attitude alderman Al Madden says is what the Lincoln parish town needed.

"He doesn't know when to quit and he won't accept no, he's going to keep plugging away,” said Simsboro Mayor pro tempore Al Madden.

The mayor says all he needs for the medical clinic is funding for a building; and about those 30 new jobs, while he couldn’t name a business Mayor Hendricks says they'll will make some type of panels.