See the 5-square-mile zone triggering transformative Bossier growth
Plus: Lee Jeter seeks local government transparency.
Bossier City weather — Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 6 pm this evening to 6 am Wednesday. Today: Cloudy. A slight chance of rain showers this morning, then rain showers likely this afternoon. Highs in the upper 40s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 20 mph this afternoon. Chance of rain 70%. Tonight: Cloudy. Rain showers with possible freezing rain and thunderstorms likely in the evening, then a chance of rain showers and freezing rain after midnight. Ice accumulation around a trace. Colder with lows in the mid-20s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation 90%. Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Cooler with highs in the upper 30s. North winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
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See the 5-square-mile zone triggering transformative Bossier growth
A rapidly developing five-square-mile area will redefine future growth in Bossier. This hot zone will be the epicenter for residential and commercial growth in the coming years.
The Bossier Parish Police Jury has adopted an "all hands on deck" approach to planning and implementing additional infrastructure to accommodate this building boom and the resulting wave of expected residents and traffic.
Tucked between Benton Road and Airline Drive and straddling Deen Point Road, a supercycle of construction is expected to trigger 5,000 new homes and a commercial development boom.
The map below highlights the planned developments. It provides an overview of what the Bossier Parish government sees as a formidable infrastructure challenge. Click on the map to view the full-scale version, then zoom in on each development to see the acreage and number of homes to be built. The property lines on the map are estimated.
Police Jury Attorney Patrick Jackson presented a similar map to the road and subdivision committee in December, showing the areas in North Bossier where an estimated 5,000 new residential homes are expected to be built.
"If we just assume two cars per house, that's another 10,000 cars in this already jammed corridor," Jackson said.
"We most recently had a lot of back-and-forth with the community on that small section of Airline Drive near St. Jude and Cypress Baptist Church," Jackson added. "We did some preliminary work, and just to five-lane that particular section of Airline Drive up to Palmetto, which is one of those highly impacted areas — a little over $20 million just for that one road."
Notably, this growth is outside the city limits of Bossier City. The resulting population growth in just this five-square-mile area could boost Bossier Parish from the 12th to the 10th most populous parish in the state.
A "Future Residential Development" meeting will be held today at 3:00 p.m. in the Bossier Parish Police Jury Room to discuss the area's growth and related issues.
If you would like to have your comments addressed during this meeting, complete, print, and bring with you the BPPJ Residential Development Meeting form. If you cannot make the meeting, complete and email the form to Megan Ramos at mramos@bossierparishla.gov before noon today for your statement to be read into the meeting minutes.
The Bossier City '25 Vote: Lee Jeter seeks local government transparency
Lee A. "Gunny" Jeter, Sr. is a candidate for a Bossier City at-large council seat.
Jeter has been politically active for years. He ran for the at-large seat in the last municipal election in 2021 against Tim Larkin, David Montgomery, and Chris Smith. He also served on the Bossier City Charter Commission, which put a term limits ordinance without retroactivity on the March ballot.
He counts among his priorities improvements to water and sewer systems, attracting new businesses and creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and supporting education and youth programs.
He recently spoke at the South Bossier Lunch Group and presented his ideas for the future of Bossier City.
"I believe our council needs to be transparent; our form of government needs to be transparent in everything that they're doing," Jeter said. "A lot of times we have meetings, council meetings, and the citizens are not aware of what's going on because we don't give them that information. So what I can promise you is that when I'm elected to be one of your councilmen at large, you're going to see me — not just during an election time, you're going to see me throughout the year."
>> READ MORE: What is a Bossier City council member at large, and what do they do?
BossierNow does not endorse candidates or issues. Our mission is to remain independent, objective and politically neutral so that you can reach your own well-considered conclusions.
Tomorrow: Chris Smith
STRIKEWERX gains new director, deputy
The Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) in Bossier City has announced the promotion of Russ Mathers and the hiring of William Weiford.
In his new role as STRIKEWERX director, Mathers will oversee the CIC’s partnership with Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) and continue to guide its technology transfer and transition efforts as the innovation partner for the AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist.
“Russ has been an integral part of CIC since 2020, consistently demonstrating outstanding leadership, expertise, and a commitment to excellence. In his previous role, Russ was key to helping stand up the STRIKEWERX Innovation Hub and leading the team through multiple projects and design sprints that delivered nearly $300 million in savings to the U.S. Air Force,” said CIC President Kevin Nolten.
Mathers will replace retiring director Jeff Beene, who helped establish STRIKEWERX and was instrumental in the CIC’s innovation efforts.
Mathers completed 27 years of active duty with the U.S. Air Force, with roles as a B-52 pilot, B-2 pilot, U.S. Strategic Command nuclear operations planner, and Chief of Combat Plans in US Air Forces, Korea. He retired as the Chief of Staff for Eighth Air Force. He served five years in federal civil service as Executive Director of AFGSC/A6 and the Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Center.
“Even though I have big shoes to fill, I am honored to level up at the CIC,” said Mathers. “I am especially excited to continue delivering results and savings for the U.S. Air Force, ensuring we provide innovative and cost-effective solutions that enhance mission success.”
Weiford fills the vacant role created by Mathers’ promotion. As deputy director, he will spearhead new projects, leading the STRIKEWERX team in its commitment to rapidly developing solutions that directly benefit the warfighter and aiding in revitalizing the Air Force nuclear enterprise.
Weiford comes to the CIC after 24 years in the U.S. Air Force. He entered active duty as a financial analyst before moving to the space and missile career field. Serving in a variety of positions, including Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) combat crew instructor and Upgraded Early Warning Radar missile warning crew commander, Weiford served at the Headquarters Air Force and major command levels, performing various staff duties related to the nuclear enterprise. During his final assignment to AFGSC, his service culminated as the Executive Director of ICBM Modernization Directorate.
“I am honored and excited to take on this new role,” Weiford said. “I look forward to leading our talented team as we further AFGSC’s mission and deliver exceptional results by fostering innovation and collaboration between academia, business, industry, and government.”
Nolten added, “William expands our knowledge of the Air Force mission to bolster the partnership with the AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist. We welcome William and look forward to seeing him continue our history of delivering unique solutions to the command.”
The Cyber Innovation Center is the anchor of the 3,000-acre National Cyber Research Park in Bossier City and serves as a catalyst for the development and expansion of a knowledge-based workforce throughout the region.
By Sean Green/CIC Communications Manager
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