VIDALIA — Concordia Parish’s legislators said economic development, especially in the field of agriculture, is a top priority for their district.

“Economic development is important to us,” Sen. Francis Thompson, D-Delhi, said. “It is not part of our job description, but we do everything.”

Thompson — along with Rep. Andy Anders, D-Vidalia, and Sen. Neil Riser, R-Columbia — spoke in Vidalia at a post-legislative session breakfast hosted by Concordia Economic Development and the Concordia Parish Chamber of Commerce.

Thompson noted that Concordia Parish is a major agricultural area for the state, and both he and Anders chair the agriculture committees for their chambers. Riser also serves on the Senate agriculture committee.

“We feel like we can pretty much do what we want on agriculture,” Thompson said. “I don’t think the state can grow any more or do great things without letting agriculture play a big role.”

One way that can develop is through the Vidalia port project, which was appropriated nearly $2 million during the session, Riser said.

“We know this is truly a welcome project, because we know the Fifth Congressional District is the largest row crop district in the nation,” he said. “This is truly going to be a game changer for years to come. It will mean employment for not only people here, but Catahoula and Tensas parishes.”

Thompson said the state needs ports all along the Mississippi River.

“The port will equip us to better handle the industries of our future,” he said. “That waster is so valuable, and to have a four-lane highway to meet that is key.”

Anders said a key component to keeping the agriculture industry moving forward happened this session when legislators passed an act which allowed the state to assess a fee on grain products, which would in turn be used to promote agriculture and fund research centers.

Before the act was finalized, the state’s farmers — would be paying it but would also be its beneficiaries — were polled, and 85 percent of them supported it, Anders said.

Thompson also spoke about an amendment he made to a bill that will earmark $4 million for economic development projects in the future.

“When the governor leaves next year and his team leaves with him, and the next governor comes in, we will have a six-month to a year gap before they get knowledgeable, and we need somebody doing economic development like you have here, but all over the state so we don’t lose a beat,” he said.

“It was not that much money, but it could bring some good (to the state).”