Northeast Louisiana: Winning Economic Initiatives

Fourth Straight Win for City of Monroe

Communities in Northeast Louisiana are winning high honors for their accomplishments in economic development. The Louisiana Municipal Association recognized the City of Monroe and the City of Ruston for their economic development projects during the 79th LMA Annual Convention.

For the fourth straight year, the City of Monroe won the Community Achievement Award for Economic Development in the large cities category. Monroe was recognized for CenturyLink’s 300,000 SF Technology Center of Excellence expansion which created 800 new jobs.

Ruston Wins For Monster Moto

The City of Ruston won the LMA Community Achievement Award for Economic Development for the Monster Moto project in the 10,001 to 25,000 population size category. The mini-bike manufacturer moved its operations back from China to a $4 million facility at the former site of Ruston’s municipal airport. Construction of the 100,000 square-foot building was made possible by a public-private partnership.  The project will create nearly 300 new jobs.

Union Parish Implements Aggressive Economic Development Program

Union Parish and Morehouse Parishes have also launched programs that will move economic development forward in their communities. With more $60 million invested in economic development, Union Parish initiated several projects including a mixed-use, private development at Folley Beach along Lake D’Arbonne.  New schools in Union Parish are coming online soon: Darbonne Woods Charter School and the new Union Parish High School.

Union Parish High School under construction.

A major downtown Farmerville Restoration program will add new sidewalks, light poles, a new water system to irrigate plants along sidewalks, and new parking lots on the west and the northeast side of the Union Parish Courthouse.

Additionally, an historic Farmerville  building will soon be renovated and developed into the Union Parish Cultural District building. This exciting move compliments the new Union Museum of History and Arts located nearby.

Morehouse Parish Experiences Economic Growth

Community leaders and realtors gather during real estate showcase.

Morehouse Parish recently launched the first in a series of real estate showcases to familiarize area realtors with the booming real estate market in Bastrop and surrounding neighborhoods. Approximately 20 minutes north of the CenturyLink corporate headquarters and 30 minutes from the City of Monroe on U.S. Highway 165,  Morehouse Parish has seen an influx of new residents.

Some have moved in to take advantage of job opportunities at the following companies, or low housing prices or low cost of living along with a great quality of life.

• Flying Tiger Aviation Training School at the Morehouse Memorial Airport created 20 new jobs.
  • DG Foods in Bastrop created 400 new jobs.
• Drax Biomass near Bastrop created 60 new jobs.
• Kennedy Rice Mill in Mer Rouge created 22 new jobs.
• John N John Trucking in Bastrop created 30 new jobs.