vidalia — The Concordia Economic and Industrial Development District voted at its Thursday board meeting to continue trips to Washington, D.C.

“Anytime we have an opportunity to travel to Washington to meet with our congressional delegation we need to take it if we can,” board member and Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said. “It’s imperative we go to let them know what projects we’re working on locally.”

Copeland said ongoing work in the area like the Ferriday water project, the port in Vidalia and drainage in Concordia Parish could benefit if brought before the right people in Washington.

At least two members of the Development District will travel to Washington in late July.

Copeland said the municipality that each traveling board member represents will fund their trip.

In other news, Development District Director Heather Malone recently attended a meeting with Monterey residents to learn how the district could best serve those residents.

Malone said most residents had an interest in zoning development since the unincorporated area currently has no zoning restrictions.

Concordia Parish Police Jury President Melvin Ferrington, who is currently in the process of being made a board member, said while zoning is not always easy to establish, it is necessary.

“It’s something they should have access to,” Ferrington said. “It’s always worth the effort to get it done.”

Malone said the issue was raised recently when a Monterey resident built a home in very close proximity to a school.

The group’s next meeting will be July 9.