Business Facilities - May 2008 - (Page 40)

METRO SPOTLIGHT Alexandria, Louisiana By Jack Rogers Crossroads of Development in “Cenla” entral Louisiana (Cenla) is called “The Crossroads” because it is an ideally located transportation hub bordered by the Mississippi and Sabine rivers, with excellent interstate highway, river, rail, and air cargo capabilities in place. Cenla, which includes the Alexandria, LA, metro C NEW FACILITIES AND EXPANSIONS IN CENLA ALEXANDRIA REGIONAL PORT CSR Concrete Conduit Plant Terminal Fertilizer Facility Bulk Container and Warehouse Facility NORTHERN RAPIDES, SOUTH GRANT, AND NATCHITOCHES PARISHES Trus Joist Laminated Beam Plant Jordache-Ditto Distribution Center Artcrete (expansion) MARTCO Plywood (expansion) VERNON PARISH Barksdale Federal Credit Union Ameritech Building Systems PINEVILLE AREA Pastipak Calvary Industries Willamette Valley Company (expansion) Dis-Tran Manufacturing (expansion) Procter & Gamble (expansion) Mitchell Trucking (expansion) area, is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state, outpaced only by the Gulf Coast areas rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. A growing workforce, drawn from Central Louisiana parishes, has been experiencing relatively low unemployment rates for the past two years. The Louisiana Economic Outlook report projects a growth of 1,000 jobs over the next two years for the Alexandria metro area, with most of the growth coming in the services and trade employment sectors. In the past year, the 5.4% growth rate for manufacturing in the Alexandria metro area was the largest of any major metro area in Louisiana. The Cost of Living Index for the Alexandria/Pineville metro area, says the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association, has historically remained at approximately 93% of the national average. Rodemacher III Powers Economic Development in Cenla C entral Louisiana Electric Company’s Rodemacher III electric generating plant, now under construction, will provide a 600megawatt addition to the area’s electric-power grid. The $1 billion plant promises to lower energy rates across the state. The multi-fuel facility will burn petroleum coke, a by-product of the refining industry, thus contributing to lower-cost commercial and household energy and disposal of otherwise undesireable materials. Prime sites are available in the 2,700-acre complex that includes Alexandria International Airport, which recently opened a new $27 million passenger terminal. Average Unemployment for Central Louisiana 12000 1995 1996 10000 8000 2006 6000 4000 2000 0 SOURCE: THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MARCH 19, 2008 1997 2003 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 Alexandria Commons RoyOMartin World Headquarters Stone Mountain Carpet Home Depot StarTek Technical Support Center Renegade Harley Davidson AFCO Industries (expansion) Alexandria Mall (expansion) 2007 40 M AY 2 0 0 8 PHOTO CREDIT: CENTRAL LOUISIANA ELECTRIC COMPANY SOUTH ALEXANDRIA

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Business Facilities - May 2008

Business Facilities - May 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots The UK's Most Lucrative Locations, Pound for Pound Economic Development in a Flash Corporate Moves: Massachusetts Florida: A Ripe Climate for Innovation Innovating Big in Rhode IIsland Retail Set to Ride Out a Recession Corporate Moves: New Jersey South Carolina: A Sweet Spot in the Southeast Endless Opportunities in North Carolina Economic Awakening in the Mohawk Valley Metro Spotlight: Alexandria, LA Where Call Centers Call Home Texas Receives First Business Facilities State of the Year Award Advertiser Index Inside Livexchange

Business Facilities - May 2008

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