The city has hired Louisiana State University Eunice professor Fred Landry, PhD, as interim economic development director.

Landry will work about 10 hours weekly through the summer in fleshing out the Economic Development Committee’s strategic plan for the community, panel members said.

Hiring a director was among the short-term objectives recommended by the committee when it reported to the administration and City Council last fall.

Mayor Rusty Moody said the position will be incorporated into the administration budget currently under development for the year beginning July 1.

Landry, a professor of Business Administration, is a member of the Coushatta Economic Development Board and a former member of the St. Landry Economic Industrial Development District Board.

The development committee’s next meeting will be May 5 at 8 a.m. at City Hall.

The committee chairman is Don Rebar, who succeeded Anthony Baltakis when the Moody administration took office. Baltakis resigned in December.