Roadshow Contact
Amy Fuselier
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regional Contact
Amy Fuselier
Email Me
About the Roadshow
The goal of these sessions is to hear from stakeholders about opportunities for the region’s economy –such as target industries, regional assets, and competitive advantages – as well as key priorities or strategies for Louisiana Central, visions for the region’s economic future, and potential challenges that may impact growth.
Who is Attending
- Parish Government Officials
- Local Economic Development Staff
- Local Chamber of Commerce
- Key Employers / Business Owners
- Local Workforce & Training Providers
- Nonprofits / Civic Organizations
- Local Elected Officials
- Landowners / Site Owners with Development Potential
- Agriculture / Natural Resources Stakeholders
- Community Members
What to Expect
- Introduction from Chris Masingill, President & CEO of Louisiana Central
- Facilitated Q&A
- Input gathered will directly shape the regional strategic plan
- Local leaders, business owners, educators, and community members connect
- Chance to form partnerships across parishes and industries
- Opportunities for participants to stay involved
In the News
Comprehensive 10-Parish Regional Strategic Plan to Serve as Roadmap for Economic Development in Central Louisiana Over Next Three Years
ALEXANDRIA, LA – Chris Masingill, President & CEO of Louisiana Central, earlier this month announced that Louisiana Central has launched a regional initiative to create a strategic plan aimed at driving investment and supporting long-term economic growth across the ten parishes it serves: Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn. This regional effort builds on Louisiana Economic Development’s (LED) March 2025 release of Positioning Louisiana To Win (https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/strategic-plan), a comprehensive statewide plan focused on strengthening the state’s economic competitiveness.
“Our state is entering a new chapter for economic growth, and Central Louisiana is ready to capitalize on this momentum,” said Masingill. “Now is the time for action and investment in our region and our people as we work together to elevate our regional economy. Over the next 100 days, our team will travel across our 10-parish region to ensure that every voice is heard and that this plan reflects the true spirit, scale, and opportunity of Central Louisiana.”
As a major component to the strategic planning process, Louisiana Central’s team will kick off a “We Make Good Stuff” 10-Parish Economic Development Roadshow, traveling across the region to meet in-person with business and community leaders, engage local stakeholders, and gather feedback and perspectives from across the region’s communities. The Louisiana Central team will also host regional and parish-level listening sessions to discuss current economic and workforce conditions and opportunities for growth.
“Part of our call to action for our community and business leaders is to share with us your unique perspectives on our region’s key strengths, needs, opportunities, and areas for improvement to help inform this strategic plan, which will be our roadmap over the next three years to creating jobs and attracting new investment in our regional footprint,” said Masingill. “The ‘We Make Good Stuff’ 10-Parish Economic Development Roadshow is an opportunity for us to hear directly from leaders who have their finger on the pulse of these local communities as well as reintroduce our team and reinforce that we are here to be an accessible advocate, resource, and partner to them.”
As an additional part of this commitment to broad engagement, Louisiana Central is conducting a survey to gather input on the region’s economic opportunities and strategies that can support positive economic outcomes. The survey is available here.
Over the coming months, Louisiana Central will review data, research, trends, and community input gathered through the survey, parish-level conversations, and other outreach efforts to guide the creation of a new five-year strategic plan. The plan is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025 and launched in early 2026.
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About Louisiana Central
Louisiana Central is the regional economic development organization for the 10 parishes that make up Central Louisiana—Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn Parishes. We work to attract and retain businesses, support workforce development, foster innovation, and connect communities with the resources they need to thrive. By serving as a connector, convener, and trusted advisor, we align local leaders, businesses, and educational institutions to position our region for sustainable growth, new investment, and long-term prosperity. Learn more at louisiana-central.com.
Accountability Statement
We care passionately that the people of Central Louisiana, our home, have livable incomes and build intergenerational wealth. We value knowledge as primary currency – deployed to improve the profitability and competitiveness of business. We build vibrant communities to create, attract, and retain employers in places where people want to live. We measure success by the region’s median household income increasing faster than the nation as a whole.
