It’s understandable why our population grows

St. Charles is an unusual parish. With some 85 percent wetlands, it still has many suburban areas that regularly attract increased census figures.

Latest figures show the parish with some 50,000 people, up from the 40,000 figures reported in the past. That is not a major increase but it is enough to maintain existing business and attract a few new ones.

Parish officials have expressed their pleasure at that modest growth since it allows us to prepare well for the increase in population. Too much would not allow the area to grow in the best way.

St. Charles is an area with acres of beautiful wetlands, oak and cypress trees and waterways with a laid back style that is great to experience.

Add to that the presence of the Mississippi River which passes right through us as the nation’s number one waterway. This has attracted the petrochemical and other industries to locate here providing one of the best economies in the nation.

And they are continually expanding to provide more jobs. Valero is about to sink $1.5 billion into a new renewable diesel plant at its Norco refinery. It is expected to provide jobs to 1,200 during construction and 50 permanent jobs.

While much of southeast Louisiana has been losing population in recent years because of hurricanes, St. Charles has held its own and grown a little. With our natural beauty and the opportunities available, it is easy to understand why.