Despite the post-hurricane
problems faced by Louisiana, there have been many encouraging developments for
Morehouse Parish. This year, MEDC has been instrumental in attracting several
businesses to the Coulter Industrial Park. One success has involved establishing
a branch office of SMI Companies from Franklin
Louisiana. Their business development manager was looking for a facility in an
area that offered an appropriate labor force to grow their company after
Hurricane Katrina and Rita. MEDC worked with Louisiana Economic Development and
the City of Bastrop to put together a package to finance this project. This
company gives Morehouse Parish a direct link to the booming South Louisiana
economy. The Technical College with the support of local and state leaders
worked to develop training programs for the company. The Technical College along
with MEDC and the Louisiana Department of Labor also sponsored a Career and Job
Fair in October. As a result, eight more residents were hired to work out of the
Bastrop Facility and participation in the training program increased. The goal
is to create 125 jobs within the next three years. We will continue to work in
development of programs to encourage the training needed to supply essential
workforce for profitable ventures.
A new web site and national
magazine advertising were employed last year to encourage investment from
outside of the area. Electronic information has become an essential marketing
tool and efforts are being made to increase the use of technology in promoting
Morehouse Parish. With this in mind, we continue to pursue funding sources that
identify with this need.
In October, MEDC received a
$25,000 Grant from USDA to begin a Land Use Study for the U.S. Highway 165
Corridor from Bastrop to the Ouachita Parish. It is hoped that this money can be
used as matching funds to begin the comprehensive development of a Master Plan.
This is the first step toward implementing a plan for the entire Parish that
will identify potential industrial sites, prioritize needs and have projects
ready for funding opportunities.
Thank you for your continued support this year
while we work to keep momentum moving in a positive direction. Please consider
becoming a member
of this organization which is
primarily focused on attraction or expansion of businesses that create jobs. Let
us be thankful for the blessings of this year and look forward to a prosperous
2007.
December 2006
