With a qualified and skilled workforce, the Northeast Parishes continue to set the standard in many of the employment fields in the state of Louisiana.
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Government officials of Parishes throughout Northeast Louisiana are dedicated to serving the public with the best transportation possible.
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Through our industrial parks, communities and businesses are cooperating to increase economic gains and improving environmental quality.
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Long known as the sportsman’s paradise, Northeast Louisiana has many venues to offer the thrill seeker and outdoorsman.
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Latest news
Posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 3:31 PM
Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance President/CEO featured in Economic Quarterly magazine
The president and CEO of the Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance (NELEA), Tana Trichel was recently featured in the Louisiana Economic Quarterly magazine. Also featured was Franklin Farm, Louisiana’s Automotive Mega Site.
Posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 11:21 AM
City of Vidalia announces Louisiana Elastomer, LLC $4 million expansion
City of Vidalia and Louisiana Elastomer, LLC (LAEL) announce the construction of a 36,000 square foot building in the Vidalia Industrial Park. D. Michael Wells, President/CEO of Louisiana Elastomer, LLC stated, “When we made the decision to expand our operation, we couldn’t think of anyone better to do business with than the City of Vidalia.” The new building will be located adjacent to the existing LAEL plant and will produce and house the treatment chemical compounds used in the recycling process. “Producing this product in house will allow us to save on transportation cost, and most importantly on time,” stated Wells. Wells went on to explain that LAEL currently brings in the treatment compound from Minnesota. Purchasing from Minnesota presents logistic problems, especially in the winter, adds to our freight costs, and LAEL can self-manufacture at a lower cost. When delays occur LAEL is unable to process the rubber.
Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Louisiana Export Guide: Helping Louisiana companies go global
The Louisiana District Export Council, in cooperation with the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans, and ThinkGlobal Incorporated, has developed a new Louisiana Export Guide. This colorful, magazine-style guide serves as an informational resource for Louisiana exporters.
Posted on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 4:19 PM
Rural Northeast Louisiana is enjoying the success of new and homegrown projects
By Lee Burlett
Like many parts of the rural South, Northeast Louisiana has faced the challenges of restarting its economy. In four short years, three of Northeast Louisiana's largest employers, State Farm, Guide Corp. and International Paper, closed their operations in the region, eliminating 2,400 well-paid jobs. Then came the recession.
The multiple parishes that make up the Northeast Louisiana region, one that is bordered by Arkansas to the north and Mississippi to the east, represent an area that has been particularly hit hard ... in the good times. But when push came to shove during this recession, local and state economic development leaders worked together to land some of the South's most visible projects to that p art of the state. Even more, at about the same time, investment in homegrown businesses saw huge returns. Today, the region represents one of the finest examples of successful rural economic development in the South.
The first big bombshell that signaled Northeast Louisiana's economy was back from the depths came in the form of one of the South’s most innovative projects. In June of 2009, the first next-generation car plant ever announced in the South was made in Monroe, La. the largest metropolitan area in the region.
V-Vehicle Company, a new startup automaker funded in part by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) and other well known companies and individuals, including T. Boone Pickens, announced in June it would refit the former Guide plant in Monroe in order to assemble a new automobile that as of yet has not been unveiled. KPCB, the California-based venture capital firm, has had a few other successes in its funding efforts, namely Google, Intuit, Quicken, Amazon.com, Intel, Electronic Arts, Genentech, and Sun Microsystems.
Posted on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 4:14 PM
CenturyLink Announces major headquarters expansion, 350 new jobs
MONROE, La. — Today, Gov. Bobby Jindal and CenturyLink CEO and President Glen Post announced an agreement that will maintain CenturyLink's corporate headquarters in Louisiana and add 350 Louisiana-based jobs over the next four years. The governor made the announcement following a meeting with CenturyLink's board of directors. Over the last several months, Gov. Jindal and his economic development team have been working with CenturyLink executives to establish a plan that would ensure the long-term competitiveness of the company in Louisiana.
Gov. Jindal said, "Today's announcement is a huge win for Monroe and Northeast Louisiana — and it caps off an historic year of job creation in Northeast Louisiana. CenturyLink has been one of our state's top private-sector employers for many years, which is why we worked aggressively after the announcement of the merger to develop a comprehensive support plan to ensure that CenturyLink will stay and grow right here for many years to come. Today, we're announcing a new partnership that will not only retain CenturyLink in Louisiana for the long term, but will also create more opportunity for the people of Northeast Louisiana so they can find rewarding careers and pursue their dreams right here at home."
Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Annual NELEA meeting reflects 2009 successes
By Greg Hilburn
DELHI — The Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance's annual meeting last year was a somber affair following the closure of International Paper's Bastrop mill.
But Monday's had a distinctly upbeat tone, considering three major job-creating projects came on line and the chicken processing plant in Union Parish was rescued from closure in 2009.
And that doesn't include last week's announcement that Myriant Technologies has secured a $50 million federal grant that will allow the company to build a $60 million biorefinery plant at the Lake Providence Port that will create at least 40 permanent jobs.
"This has been the most exciting year I've ever experienced in economic development," said Tana Trichel, president of NELEA. "It's every economic developer's dream to participate in these kinds of projects."
Posted on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Sept. 2010 target date for opening
By Matthew Hamilton
ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston has yet to announce the site of its sweet potato processing plant in Delhi, but company and state officials are eager to begin building as soon as possible.
Lamb Weston senior financial officer David Richardson said the company hopes to start plant operations by fall 2010.
Posted on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Impact to ripple beyond Richland
By Stephen Largen
Tana Trichel, president of the Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance, is confident the arrival of ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston's sweet potato processing plant near Delhi will have far-reaching effects on the regional and state economy.
"This community will change," she said.
"If you look at this community five years from now you won't recognize it. There will be apartments. There will be other businesses. It's going to make a big impact."
Wednesday's announcement that the plant will locate in Richland Parish also highlighted the results of an LSU economic impact study that suggests the new facility will provide an injection of $2.1 to $2.4 billion in new state economic output from 2009 to 2025.
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance launches new website
The Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance (NELEA) has announced the launch of a brand-new website located on the web at http://www.nelea.us.
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance supports the Louisiana Delta Initiative
Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance joined local economic development organizations in Northeast Louisiana, Business Persons Mayors in supporting the Louisiana Delta Initiative.
Seeking to provide “One Voice” for initiatives to benefit current needs of the Region, the attendees offered to work together on Broadband, Education, Infrastructure and Partnering for a better Region.
Upcoming events
Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Upcoming LIDEA Meetings
LIDEA Spring Pre-Legislative Meeting
Tentative March 17-18, 2010
TBA, Baton Rouge, LA
Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 12:13 PM
LIDEA Presents Economic Development Certification Program
LIDEA is pleased to present an Economic Development Certification program designed for those ED professionals, Chamber of Commerce staff, elected officials, and local civic leaders who are interested in learning more about economic development. This high quality program, second to none in the U.S., will be taught by nationally recognized experts and all content is tailored specifically to the state of Louisiana.
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 11:14 PM
LIDEA Annual Convention
LIDEA will holding its Annual Convention in December 2009 in Lake Charles, LA.
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Print ThisWho we are
Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance is a private membership, not-for-profit corporation utilizing local, state, federal and private resources and programs to enhance the available economic elements present in our region to promote and grow.
What we do
We provide technical assistance, loan programs, technical communication, education and preside as the Coordinating Responsible Authority for the Northern and Central Renewal Communities.
Case studies
NELEA was deeply involved in bringing the Conagra Foods plant to the Delhi, LA community.
Find out what we did & current news »
Media center
NELEA recently produced a video detailing the economic opportunities still available in Louisiana during the current economic conditions.
View more video presentations »
Useful Links
Explore related websites that assist in providing information associated with the economic development efforts and progress in Northeast Louisiana.
Renewal Louisiana
Renewal Community information, facts, Q&A's, form links and much more about the Renewal Community Inititive in Louisiana.
Louisiana Community Progress
This site is a source for information about Northeast Louisiana and economic opportunities in the region.
