central Louisiana
Cenla Training Grant
Central Louisiana Technical College will administer a $500,000 Workforce Training Rapid Response Grant for the greater Central Louisiana area. The grant is designed to supplement the cost of building capacity to provide high demand workforce training programs in order to fill urgent market needs, as determined by economic and employment projections. Full article.
CENLA schools earn national honors
Five Rapides Parish schools and a number of other schools in Central Louisiana recently earned national recognition. The U.S. Department of Education named three schools 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools: Rosenthal Montessori Elementary School in Alexandria, the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches and Many Elementary School. Full article.
Merger makes sense as Central LA seeks to grow
Central LA has no shortage of people and organizations interested in all matters related to economic development. In late 2003, The Rapides Foundation decided to form Cenla Advantage Partnership (CAP), a private, nonprofit economic development group. This week, it was announced that CAP will merge May 1 with the Central LA Economic Development Alliance. Important to note is that the reconstituted regional development alliance will quantify its efforts in a 10-parish region by tracking and reporting all jobs added, higher-paying jobs added and growth in the entrepreneurial economy. Full article.
CAP, CLEDA, Chamber announce new organization
The Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA), and the Cenla Advantage Partnership (CAP), announced a reorganization today that will create a new, vibrant economic development organization for a ten-parish central Louisiana region.
“Almost two years of planning have gone into this new venture, and we are very proud of the results,” said Deborah Randolph, Chair, Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “ The new organization will include the best economic development assets of the Chamber, CLEDA and CAP under one roof, speaking with one voice. This is a very exciting day for the region.” Full announcement
Weekend of entertainment welcomes spring
From beasts to fish to dogs, there's something for everyone on the upcoming weekends in March. Here is a short list of events: Que'in on the Red, Entourage Tour, Beauty and the Beast, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Cenla History Days, Donwfish at Tamp and Grind, Spring Throw Down BBQ Blast & Classic Car Show, and last, but certainly not the least, the Nursery Festival at Forest Hill. View full list of events.
Central LA history shaped by achievements of black citizens
Arna Bontemps, who grew up in Alexandria, was instrumental in the Harlem Renaissance literary movement in Harlem, NY, and is among black residents from Central Louisiana who gained special recognition beyond local borders. In addition to Bontemps, those residents, past and present, include Solomon Northup, Louis Berry, Stephanie Finley, Clementine Hunter, retired Brig. Gen. Sherian Cadoria and Leon "Pee Wee" Whittaker. Full article.
Jindal: Privatizing Central LA state prisons will save millions
Gov. Bobby Jindal recently defended a plan by the LA Dept of Public Safety and Corrections to sell or privatize several Central LA prisons. Jindal said he gave a mandate to all state agencies to come up with ways of operating more efficiently as a way to balance the budget, and corrections' plans fit in with that, since private companies and local sheriffs' offices have proven they can house inmates for less money than the state does on a daily basis. Full article.
Woody biomass as a viable fuel “big deal” for Central LA
One of the key topics at the Cenla Forestry Forum at the LSU AgCenter Evacuation Shelter near LSUA was the fact that the possibility of using woody biomass as a source of fuel has Central LA foresters' attention. Robbie Hutchins, assistant area forestry agent for the LSU AgCenter: “It would be ‘a big deal’ for the forestry industry if woody biomass was found to be a viable source of energy.” Full article.
Professional women's group to meet Feb 24th
The Professional Women's Network of Central Louisiana will meet at 11:45 a.m. Thursday at Catering by Yolande, 1818 Andrews St. in Alexandria. Attorney Gwenda R. Lamb, former PWN membership chair, will speak about "Estate Law That Matters." Full article.
Central LA business leaders take pragmatic view of 2011
Central LA business leaders are hopeful the region's economy will rebound in 2011, but that hope is tempered with a healthy dose of caution. "There is cause for some hope," said Jim Clinton, chief executive officer of Cenla Advantage Partnership. "But that hope has to be leavened by the state of the global economy and state budget constraints." Full article.
