Balancing growth and grit: How SW La. plans to power the economy, fight coastal erosion

Despite the challenges, Hare emphasized the vital role the region plays on a larger scale. Balancing these environmental challenges with aggressive growth is the next hurdle.

“We live here because this is what powers the nation, fuels the economy, and helps the world,” he said. “That’s a big goal — we’re at 300,000 people right now,” Walker said.