LDCC Winnsboro’s New Facility to Bring More Career Opportunities to Franklin Parish

WINNSBORO, La. — A new chapter is about to begin for students at Louisiana Delta Community College’s Winnsboro campus. Construction is nearly complete on a long-anticipated facility expansion that will allow LDCC to launch new career-focused programs this fall, broadening local access to technical education and workforce training.

Starting this upcoming semester, LDCC Winnsboro will add precision agriculture technology, industrial technology, industrial electrician, and agriculture science and business to its roster of programs. These additions reflect a deliberate effort to meet the evolving needs of the rural workforce in Franklin Parish and beyond.

“These expansions open opportunities for our community, education and rural parishes is hard to come by. So, giving our community opportunities to expand their education and be in the workforce, is kind of what you know what we’re here to do, that’s our mission,” said Campus Director Mary Hoggatt.

The expansion comes at a critical time for the region, where job opportunities often hinge on practical training for in-demand skills. Precision agriculture, for instance, is a growing field that equips students to use technology to improve farming efficiency — a natural fit for a community built around agriculture.

“We’re a farm community and so there are more opportunities for people to get jobs,” Hoggatt explained. “Also, with electrical, you know that’s something that we don’t have around here that people are constantly asking about. We have a lot of electrical opportunities for students to get jobs and be hired. So, just more workforce opportunities for our community.”

Supporting Local Jobs and the Rural Economy

Local leaders and residents hope the expanded training options will keep more young people rooted in the community while filling critical workforce gaps that employers have faced for years.

Precision agriculture, in particular, combines technology and traditional farming to make operations more efficient, creating a pathway for students to secure careers without having to leave Franklin Parish. Meanwhile, industrial electrician training aims to address a persistent skills gap in the region.

Once the new facility opens its doors later this summer, students will have access to modern classrooms, labs, and hands-on training spaces designed to prepare them for good-paying jobs in high-demand fields.

Ready for Fall — and the Future

Enrollment for the new programs is already open, and LDCC expects strong interest from students eager to stay close to home while building skills for well-paying, stable jobs.

Hoggatt said the expansion wouldn’t be possible without the community’s ongoing support and collaboration with local industries. LDCC leaders hope the campus’ growth will inspire future partnerships to further diversify career pathways and strengthen the region’s economic resilience.

The new facility is on track to welcome its first students when the fall semester begins.

Location: LDCC Winnsboro Campus, Winnsboro, Louisiana
When: Fall 2025 Semester

For more information on how to enroll or explore LDCC’s new programs, visit Louisiana Delta Community College.

Originally reported by Elijah Mangum in KNOE 8 News.