NGO Funding Request


The recipient entity's full legal name:  Louisiana Swamp Base, Inc.

The recipient entity's physical address:
           2266 S. College Rd.
Suite E
Lafayette, LA 70508


The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           2266 S. College Rd.
Suite E
Lafayette, LA 70508


Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Art Hawkins
2266 S. College Rd. Extension Suite E
Lafayette, LA 70508


The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  3154

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $17,200,000

What type of request is this?  Capital Outlay Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Ben Pierce
Executive Director
2266 S. College Rd.
Suite E
Lafayette, LA 70508

Gary McGoffin
220 Heymann Boulevard
Lafayette, LA 70503

Mike DeHart
1213 Terrace Highway
Broussard, LA 70518

Larry “Duppy” Duplantis, II
715 N. Main Street
Apt. 1
St. Martinville, LA 70582

Will Mills
301 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd.
#401 Lafayette, LA 70508

W. Keith Simon
405 Broussard St.
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517

Joseph “Si” Brown
LA 182 S
Cade, LA 70519

Stuart Johnson
124 Donald Dr.
Lafayette, LA 70503

Jesse Guidry
612 Broadmoor Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70503

Tom McCasland
804 Richland Ave.
Lafayette, LA 70508

Matt Delcambre
100 Edgewater Dr.
New Iberia, LA 70563


Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Louisiana Swamp Base is a national conservation and high adventure recreation project aimed at immersing thousands of youth in the environment and culture of the Atchafalaya Swamp.

Though many of Swamp Base’s programs will take place in the “outdoor laboratory” of the 1.4 million acre Atchafalaya Swamp, Swamp Base is developing a core base facility to play a critical role in conducting, supporting, and ensuring the project’s mission and success. The development vision of Swamp Base is to create a minimal impact facility that can provide first-hand recreational and educational opportunities in the Atchafalaya and be used and enjoyed by all.

In order to serve the diverse needs of the different user groups at the base facility, the development of Swamp Base is planned to be a “universally accessible” facility. This designation ensures that visitors of all abilities and needs have an opportunity to access and immerse themselves in the unique culture of Louisiana and the beauty of the swamp.


What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $133,200
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $261,900

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          For many, Swamp Base offers an opportunity to see Louisiana’s majestic swamps for the very first time, and will have profound impacts on the way people from across the nation interact with our precious wetlands.

In addition to public visitors, the Swamp Base facility will serve youth in one of four different user groups, each with their own distinctive focuses and benefits. The Base and associated programs will provide visitors with meaningful opportunities, knowledge, and resources to recreate and/or learn about South Louisiana and swamps. These user groups include school-aged children (K-12), university researchers and students, Scouts, and special needs organizations.

Across the country, swamp environments continue to be negatively portrayed and, therefore, ignored. Through the engagement of these various user groups with Swamp Base, more people will have a chance to experience the swamp first-hand and gain a better understanding of it, ultimately seeing its beauty and importance and, in turn, provide long-term promotion, preservation, and protection of the area for the benefit of Louisiana.


What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          1. To develop a facility that provides the public with access to the Atchafalaya Swamp

2. Host over 18,000 youth annually in the four distinct user groups (K-12, university, Scouting, special needs)

3. Provide a “home” for organizations to meet and discuss Atchafalaya focused initiatives

4. Operate educational programs that immerse visitors into adventure, conservation, and culture and environment of Louisiana

5. Bring awareness and provide research solutions to issues affecting South Louisiana and the coast


What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           Design and construction of the Swamp Base STEAM facility will be completed in phases from 2022-2024. The core campus will be finished in phases from 2025-2026, and it is estimated that 8,000 youth will visit the base upon completion in 2024, with over 18,000 attending in 2026.

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                 

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
              

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
               

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               


Contact Information
name:  Ben Pierce 
                                       address:  2266 S. College Rd.
Suite E
Lafayette, LA 70508

                                       phone:  337-235-8552
                                       fax:  337-235-8556
                                       e-mail:  ben.pierce@scouting.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director