By SUE ELLEN ROSS

Staff Reporter

EDGARD – The St. John Parish Council on Tuesday approved the hiring of Wayne Reed to develop a marketing plan for the new St. John Parish Civic Center.

The project is currently under construction on Highway 51 near the St. John Central Library.

A one-time fee of $35,000, plus not more than $5,000 for a promotional CD were okayed by the Council.

“We want to make it truly functional,” said Parish Councilman Sean Roussel said of the Civic Center, “and we are very satisfied with Mr. Reed’s credentials.”

Among those credentials are involvement with the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association and the River Region Tourism Commission. Reed’s company is Group D-360 Inc.

Julia Remodet, director of the St. John Economic Development Department, told the Council that there is money in the department to pay Reed. “I have worked diligently with him the last few months,” she said, “and funding for marketing is in my budget.”

Parish President Nickie Monica is also in favor of Reed’s involvement with the Civic Center. “We do support this,” he said. “I have met with Mr. Reed several times and am impressed.”

The $5.5 million Civic Center is due for completion by July 2005 and will include a 40,000-square foot building. The multi-purpose facility and surrounding grounds will accommodate recreational facilities and community events.