Thanks to The News Star for the following excellent article written by Greg Hilburn:

2012 gets down to BUSINESS

Ouachita Parish has been bleeding jobs for almost a decade, but at least two economists believe the regional hub of northeastern Louisiana could enjoy net job growth in 2012, thanks to ongoing expansions at CenturyLink and JPMorgan Chase & Co.

"There has been a slow, steady decline in employment in Ouachita Parish for nine consecutive years, but I expect that to abate in 2012," said Bob Eisenstadt, director of the University of Louisiana at Monroe's Center for Business and Economic Research. "I believe we've bottomed out and will see a modest turnaround."

LSU economists Loren Scott and James Richardson forecast a growth rate of 0.5 percent for Ouachita in 2012 after a lost decade that saw the exit of two Top 10 employers in State Farm and Guide Corp.

Unfortunately, job losses and population declines in rural northeastern Louisiana are expected to continue, although there are bright spots like ConAgra's Lamb Weston sweet potato processing plant near Delhi.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret believes those recent expansion projects have set the foundation for more growth in Ouachita and the region.

"Generally, I see more opportunity for manufacturing in northeastern Louisiana because of the available land and the credibility that's been established with success stories like CenturyLink, Conagra and others," he said.

"Overall, it's a brighter outlook that we've seen in quite a few years," Eisenstadt said. "The Ouachita Parish economy is strengthening."

CenturyLink

CenturyLink's explosive growth since 2009 elevated it from Monroe's signature company to Louisiana's top corporate star.

With as much as $20 billion in annual revenue, CenturyLink is the largest company headquartered in the state.

The company, with its headquarters on U.S. 165 North, offers northeastern Louisiana's most lucrative job growth in 2012 and beyond.

CenturyLink announced last summer it will add 800 jobs here during the next five years with an average salary of $65,000 plus benefits and invest $30 million in a capital expansion to make room for the new workers. That's in addition to the completion of a 350-job expansion announced in 2009.

Gov. Bobby Jindal said the Monroe company "will truly transform the economy here for generations to come."

And when CenturyLink adds 800 employees to its Monroe headquarters, it could lead to 1,250 spinoff jobs that are likely to be just as lucrative in pay as those of Monroe's Fortune 100 company.

Once all of the new jobs are in place, the company will employ 2,500 workers at its headquarters with a $155 million local annual payroll.

"I think we have a great future here in Monroe," CenturyLink chief executive Glen Post said when the company announced its expansion plans.

See the complete article here:

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201201010115/NEWS01/201010315

The dead of winter, as home gardeners and landscape professionals know, is the perfect time to plant a tree. From February 27 through March 4, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry hosts its annual Shade Tree Sale at its offices throughout the state. More than a million superior genetics hardwood and pine seedlings have been distributed to the public at bargain basement prices during the sale since it began in 1976.
Planting a tree is a truly unselfish act. You don’t plant them for yourself, but as a gift for the generations to come. To plant a tree is an act of reverence … a love letter to the good earth.

http://countryroadsmagazine.com/Features/planting-hope

Thanks to my friends at Country Roads Magazine for this good info!

All this beauty from something so small!

Keller Williams Parishwide Partners (KWPP) holds a 32% market share in Northeast Louisiana. Year to date sales are currently at $215 Million and sitting $76 Million ahead of the nearest competitior. Average Price Per Sale is $202,000 at KWPP vs $132,288 at it's nearest competitor.

Sold: Apartments in Monroe LA

The Ferrand Place Apartments at 2307 Ferrand in Monroe LA sold for $825,000 on September 20, 2011. The seller was Benjamin Siglin Gorman and the buyer was We Rn Property, Inc. The property consists of 26 apartments within 3 buildings and a laundry facility. The average price per unit came to $31,731 per unit.

We have assisted many clients in purchasing and selling Apartments in Monroe LA. If you would like to discuss current investment opportunities, rental rates, or occupancy rates, contact Ryan Roark at 318-348-5815.

Sold: Conveniece Store West Monroe LA

The Stop and Save Convenience Store at 2809 Cypress Street in West Monroe, LA was sold by Circle K Stores, Inc. on September 27, 2011. The property was purchased for $675,000 by Tejanie & Dahal Investments, LLC. This property is located at the Southeast corner of North 7th Street and Cypress Street and contains approximately 3,000 square feet of retail space and six gas pumps. Demographics in the area indicate a 5-mile population of 62,074 people with an average household income of $57,503. The latest traffic counts in the area are 17,382 vehicles per day on North 7th Street and 18,685 vehicles per day on Cypress Street

If you are looking to purchase a Convenience Store in Monroe or West Monroe LA, contact Ryan Roark at 318-348-5815.