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| President's Message
- December 2005 In
2002, the community took a proactive approach in strengthening the economic base
of the community through the development of a strategic plan.
After joining this organization in February 2005, I was excited to see
that many of the goals set by a diverse group of community leaders were being
met. Volunteers have participated in clean-up projects, the Chamber of Commerce
encouraged beautification programs, and the community can boast about the award
winning Main Street Program. This is a great community oriented to family life
and rural values that encourage many long time residents to continue to call
this home. Because
a large percentage of the population is concentrated in Bastrop, we estimate the
total number of residents for the zip code area to be about 25,000.
This accounts for the large amount of services and activities that may
surpass cities with a similar of population just under 13,000. Services
include the Morehouse General Hospital, City of Bastrop Airport which adjoins
the Coulter Industrial Park, the Louisiana Technical College (Bastrop Campus ),
Morehouse Parish Public Library, several
Louisiana State offices and local branches of recognized banking institutions.
Entertainment and outdoor activities include the Rose Theater, Snyder Museum
& Gallery, Kalorama Nature Preserve and the Chemin-a-haut State Park.
Being
within 20 miles of the Monroe area brings some advantages and extra amenities
offered by a Metropolitan area. Close
proximity to the Monroe Regional Airport, University of Louisiana at Monroe,
regional shopping malls, medical centers and a wide range of entertainment and
cultural opportunities enriches the lives of our residents.
Monroe also offers employment with a number of major corporations. At
this time, nearly a third of our residents work outside of Morehouse Parish but we
recognize the need to increase opportunities right here at home. Morehouse
Parish has enjoyed a great relationship with International Paper, who operates a
paper mill in Bastrop and provides local industrial jobs.
The company enjoys a quality workforce with an exceptional safety record.
We have several other industries including Geo Chemical, as well as a
number of service oriented businesses that employ a skilled and semi-skilled
labor. The area’s long industrial
history provides a developed infrastructure including assess to two railroad
systems. Angus Chemical, a
subsidiary of the Dow Corporation operates a facility at nearby Sterlington
Louisiana and was unaffected by the recent hurricanes.
Angus has publicly announced plans to expand that industry which is an
indication of the commitment that the Corporation has for Northeast Louisiana.
The
extended care industry has also recognized the available labor supply in this
area. The Lillian Louise Behavioral Hospital, which serves
adolescents, opened a facility this year. The
LeGrande Rehabilitation Hospital built a beautiful new facility and offers a
variety of services catering to the needs of senior adults.
These new business developments add to the number of other faculties in
the area that offer extended care to fit a range of needs and budgets.
There are a
number of residential projects nearing completion including Ralph George Estate
II, an affordable housing development with 24 new 3 & 4 bedroom units.
Funding has also been secured for other improvement projects.
These projects include an Equestrian Complex to host events, planning for
the renovation of an historic high school into 60 units for the
elderly and development of a 6000 acre lake north of Bastrop.
Construction
is about to begin on a 180,000 square foot Wal-mart Super Center on the eastern
edge of the Bastrop City limits. Wal-mart
has been an important retailing center for Bastrop for many years but this
larger store and associated development will increase shopping opportunities for
residents and will attract shoppers from surrounding communities. There may be an opportunity for your business in Morehouse Parish. Take some time and look through our web site or contact our office. We will be glad to provide you with assistance for site selection, provide demographic data or additional area contact information. Thank you for visiting our web site. December 2005 |
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