VIDALIA — Four officials from Concordia Parish recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where they met with congressional officials to talk about moving forward with projects in the area and various funding opportunities for the parish.

Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland, Concordia Parish Economic and Industrial Development District Executive Director Heather Malone, Vidalia Alderman Triand McCoy and Engineer Bryant Hammett met with Congressman Rodney Alexander, Sen. Mary Landrieu and officials from Sen. David Vitter’s office.

“It was a very productive meeting,” Copeland said. “They are continuing their support through working with us.”

Malone said the group went to Washington to get funds and information on the port and drainage issues in the parish.

“We talked about the funding availability for the second stage of the port,” she said. “For the drainage, we looked into getting a study authorized by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.”

Malone said the congressional officials took on the funding issues for the port very quickly.

“All of the offices talked to us about potential funding sources we can apply for or that they can help us with,” she said.

Malone said Landrieu was very instrumental in helping the City of Vidalia acquire a $1.5 million grant from the Department of Transportation.

“We knew we had the money coming down,” she said. “But there were issues with the money, and (Landrieu) helped us make sure we are going to get it.”

Malone said the group also received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Association. Malone said with the funds, Vidalia is looking to start construction on the second stage of the port project in the spring of 2011.

“This will be the road that leads to the port,” she said. “We are very excited about starting that.”

Copeland said the completion of the port will help the city in the future.

“It can bring a lot more industry to the area,” he said. “We have a valuable tool in the Mississippi River and we need to use it.”

Malone said Concordia Parish’s use of current and past government funding for projects shows the area’s congressional officials the parish is responsible.

“Our delegation will realize that if they can secure money for it, we can get it done,” she said. “We have had a good track record, and we have to continue that in the future.”