Grow NELA

06/23/2026

🚨 Spotlight on Local Growth | The Salad Station - Monroe, La

The Monroe Salad Station location is experiencing significant growth as economic activity continues to accelerate across Northeast Louisiana.

📊 By the numbers:
• 1,132.6% increase in catering sales
• 31% of total sales now driven by Meta-related catering demand
• Cooler space doubled to support growth
• 4 new employees added exclusively for catering operations

As demand increased, Salad Station expanded its catering capacity, invested in new equipment, developed larger hot meal offerings, and introduced innovations that are now being used across all Salad Station locations.

📍This is what local impact looks like when regional growth creates new opportunities for Northeast Louisiana businesses to expand, hire, and innovate.

06/19/2026

🦺One of the largest construction projects in Louisiana history continues to set new benchmarks in Northeast Louisiana.

The Meta Richland Parish Data Center construction team recently surpassed 10 million labor hours worked without a single lost time incident over a 12-month period, an achievement that reflects the dedication, professionalism, and safety culture of thousands of skilled craft workers.

Congratulations to Meta Richland Parish Data Center and its construction partners, Mortenson, Turner Construction Company, and DPR Construction, for fostering a culture of safety that has helped achieve this remarkable milestone while delivering one of the most significant projects in our region's history.

06/18/2026

This morning, Grow NELA's Brookley Barnes and Benjamin Stokes were honored to share our message and highlight the momentum building across Northeast Louisiana.

We heard from University of Louisiana Monroe Head Football Coach Bryant Vincent as well as a few words from Mayor Friday Ellis as they shared their perspectives on the growth and opportunities shaping our region's future.

Thank you to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce for hosting Coffee & Conversation and providing the opportunity to discuss who we are, what we do, and why this moment matters for our region. As economic growth continues to accelerate across Northeast Louisiana, it's important that our communities understand the opportunities ahead and how we can work together to maximize their impact.

06/17/2026

The future is bright for Northeast Louisiana, and conversations like these help move our region forward.

Thank you to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and local leaders for the opportunity to have Grow NELA share the story of Northeast Louisiana's momentum and discuss the future of our region.

Police Juror Larry Bratton, District C joined local business and community leaders for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Workshop Series featuring Rob Cleveland of Grow NELA.

The discussion focused on the growth taking place across Northeast Louisiana and the importance of infrastructure, utilities, and strategic planning in supporting economic development. As our region continues to grow, investments in critical infrastructure help ensure businesses have the resources they need to succeed and communities remain positioned for long-term prosperity.

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury is proud to support efforts that strengthen our economy, encourage investment, and create opportunities for future growth throughout our parish.

06/17/2026

Strong communities are built when local employers invest in their people.

Copeland Electric has established an endowed scholarship at the University of Louisiana Monroe to support deserving students pursuing higher education, with priority consideration given to Copeland Electric employees and their dependents.

For more than five decades, Copeland Electric has been part of Northeast Louisiana's growth and success. This scholarship represents an investment in the region's future workforce by creating educational opportunities, strengthening the talent pipeline, and helping prepare students for careers that support continued economic growth.

To learn more about scholarship opportunities available, visit ULM's scholarship resources: https://www.ulm.edu/scholarships/

06/16/2026

MOEbiz is growing alongside Northeast Louisiana's economic momentum.

The company has increased production, added employees, expanded its customer base, and opened a new facility as economic activity continues to rise across Northeast Louisiana.

Investments like Meta's Richland Parish Data Center are helping fuel growth throughout the region, creating opportunities for local businesses, supporting job creation, and strengthening communities for years to come.

06/15/2026

🚨 Spotlight on Local Growth | MOEbiz

For more than 100 years, MOEbiz has helped businesses across Louisiana stay connected and productive. Today, the Monroe-based company is experiencing new growth fueled by one of the region's largest investments.

📊 By the numbers:
• 103 years in business
• 30% increase in blueprint production
• 9% increase in new customers
• 6 new local IT specialists added
• New regional facility opened in Alexandria

As activity continues across Northeast Louisiana, local companies like MOEbiz are finding new opportunities to expand, hire, and invest in their future.

📍This is what local impact looks like when regional growth creates opportunities for homegrown businesses.

06/15/2026

National attention is turning to Northeast Louisiana.

This Wall Street Journal story highlights how major investments like Meta's Richland Parish Data Center can create benefits that extend far beyond the project site, strengthening schools, supporting communities, and creating lasting impact across our region.

🔍Read more:

The jump in sales tax receipts in the Louisiana parish provides a new talking point in the debate over the AI construction boom.

06/12/2026

🎉Welcome to Northeast Louisiana, FTI!

FTI has announced an $80 million investment in Ouachita Parish that will create more than 200 new jobs and strengthen our region's growing manufacturing sector.

This project brings new opportunities in skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, leadership, operations, and workforce development while generating new economic activity throughout Northeast Louisiana.

FTI's decision to invest in Ouachita Parish is another sign of the momentum building across our region. As more companies choose Northeast Louisiana, the benefits extend far beyond a single facility, creating careers, supporting local businesses, and helping position NELA for long-term growth.

To be notified about FTI job opportunities, hiring events and news updates: https://tinyurl.com/FTI-Jobs

06/11/2026

This week marked another exciting milestone for Northeast Louisiana as Faith Technologies Incorporated (FTI) announced its $80 million investment in Ouachita Parish, bringing more than 200 new jobs to our region.

We were honored to have Grow NELA President & CEO Rob Cleveland join Mayor Friday Ellis to discuss what this project means for Northeast Louisiana and the opportunities it will create for local businesses, workers, and families. Just as we've seen with recent investments across the region, transformative projects like this create impacts that extend far beyond the project site. They strengthen our economy, support workforce development, and help position Northeast Louisiana for long-term growth.

Thank you to Mayor Friday Ellis and his team for the opportunity to share the story of the momentum taking place across our region.