Thanks to The News Star for the following excellent article written by Greg Hilburn:
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'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!
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"On September 8, the Senate Banking Committee unanimously approved the "Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act," sending it to the full Senate for consideration. This is the Committee's response to the NFIP reform bill H.R. 1309 passed by the House earlier this year. Similar to the House bill, this one would also provide for a 5-year extension as well as premium-rate and flood-mapping reforms that ensure the continuation of the program long term. The National Association of REALTORS has sent a letter to committee leadership urging 5-year reauthorization of the NFIP before Sept. 30, 2011, when the program's authority to issue flood insurance expires. "
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School started here on Monday.
I'm too old to have a student at the elementary school only a block away, but I consider myself to be very lucky living so close to this wonderful school. Why? Every morning I hear the principal's voice on the loudspeaker say, "Good morning, boys and girls! Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance."
It's a wonderful way to start the day--for the students and for me!
PS.
Be sure to have your eyes open for those precious ones while driving near the school zones.
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15 yrs. in the Monroe/West Monroe real estate market has taught me that every transaction is special. I use email, text, phone, pigeon--whatever it takes to communicate with you!
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Half the country is either under water now, or has been within the past year. Why, oh why, does the Congress fiddle-fart around with flood insurance? This program should NEVER be allowed to expire. People who are buying a house should not have to worry about being able to get coverage before their closing. Gr-r-r-r.