Shale exploration brings big boost in parish tax revenues

Parish President John Salter was on hand June 11 as Regional Construction began the overlay of Lateral Lane.
Parish President John Salter was on hand June 11 as Regional Construction began the overlay of Lateral Lane.

The Center Square) - Natural gas producers in northwest Louisiana’s Haynesville shale are expanding operations into new areas, promising a wave of new revenue for local businesses, landowners and parish governments.

At a meeting Monday, the Natchitoches Parish School Board reported that April sales tax collections were up 14.2% from the same month last year, a result officials described as “surpris…