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Franklin Farm Mega Site
Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance presents the premier site in Louisiana located in the NELEA region.
In 2006, the State of Louisiana purchased Franklin Farm, a 1440 acre site on I-20 located in Holly Ridge, Louisiana. This is the first site Louisiana has ever selected to market to industry. The target is automotive assembly or durable goods, that will produce a large number of jobs. The objective is to bring Northeast Louisiana good paying, stable and valuable jobs to serve this productive area which can support 10,000 more jobs according to an independent study by Angelou Economics, completed in December, 2006.
The site is surrounded by an additional 4700 Acres, owned by the Franklin family which is also available for supporting industries to the site. The Franklin family lead by George B. Franklin, Jr. committed to making this site available in 2002. A long and arduous journey with Mr. George Jr. and his sons: Bibb Franklin, Fred Scott Franklin and Roy Franklin working with NELEA and the state led to this extraordinary site being purchased by the State under the Administration of Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and Secretary Michael Olivier and the dedicated and talented staff of Louisiana Economic Development. The team is: Tana Trichel, President/CEO of NELEA, Mary Jo Hanover, Project Coordinator, LED, and Sam Richardson, Entergy Corporation.
This site is certified and many auto industry experts, site selectors and prospective users have deemed this site to be one of the top in the nation. Southern Business and Development Magazine has listed it in their top 10, rendering it #3.
Special remembrance and tribute to Mr. George B. Franklin, Jr. who supported the vision of improving the standard of living for Northeast Louisiana and changing the pattern of poverty by putting forth his land for the realization of this dream. He was a quiet philanthropist, bestowing many churches and schools with his support of land and donations. His life was an example to all who knew him. He was proud of this project, but prouder even more of the land for a national Veteran’s Cemetery to be completed in the near future which will honor those who served our Nation as he did in World War II and since. He was proud to donate the land for this project to be located on Louisiana’s dedicated Veteran’s Highway (#435/15/137) one mile from I-20.
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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.
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We provide technical assistance, loan programs, technical communication, education and preside as the Coordinating Responsible Authority for the Northern and Central Renewal Communities.
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