Just a few years ago, River Road Water Works was teetering on collapse. The rural system in Richland Parish, in northeast Louisiana’s Delta region, had racked up 36 major health violations, was $80,000 in debt, and faced possible takeover by the state. Now, it is not only compliant but thriving — with a new office building soon to open its doors.

The turnaround is due in part to the system’s ongoing partnership with Communities Unlimited (CU). Since 2019, CU’s Community Infrastructure Team, led locally by Senior Infrastructure Management Consultant Richard King, has worked with the utility through some of its toughest challenges. King guided the system as it formed its first active board, completed rate studies, and secured financing to stabilize operations. In 2022, CU provided an $823,000 loan as matching funds for Louisiana’s Water Sector Program, which enabled River Road to rehabilitate tanks, upgrade a booster station, and modernize operations.

Now, with stability restored and an “A” grade from the state, River Road Water Works closed on a new $126,000 loan from CU’s Community Infrastructure Lending program in September 2025. The loan, handled by CU Senior Economic Development Loan Officer Chris Ranniger, will allow the system to purchase two acres of land and a 1,400-square-foot building for its first permanent office. Offered at a reduced 3% interest rate through a limited-time program backed by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), the loan replaces the system’s leased office space.

Office Manager Gabrielle Dixon explained that the system had been planning to build an office for four or five years, even setting aside two acres for the project and gathering quotes. But as staffing needs grew, the design had to be adjusted, and the new estimate came back at nearly $350,000 — about the size of the building they ultimately purchased.

“So really, it came down to cost,” she said. “That’s why we bought a building instead of building one.”

The system’s board contributed $50,000 toward the $176,000 purchase. Their new office will be a major upgrade from the cramped two-room space they currently rent, where staff often share computers.

“It’s too small for our needs,” Dixon said.

The new building includes a conference room, a private office for her, one for the assistant, and another for the operators — finally giving staff the space to work comfortably and providing customers with easier access.

Best-case scenario, the staff will move in within 60 days after light renovations are complete.

“Everybody is ecstatic,” Dixon said. “The board is thrilled, because right now we’re renting, and owning an office is something they’ve wanted for a long time. Personally, I’m super excited to finally have more room. Honestly, we all are.”

For Dixon, the building marks how far the system has come since 2019, when King first began working with the new board to chart a path forward. Today, the system is not only self-reliant but thriving.