Grow NELA

05/29/2026

The growth happening across Northeast Louisiana is doing more than bringing attention to our region.

It is creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and building long term economic opportunity across our communities. Companies like ServiceMaster Action Cleaning has scaled operations to meet growing demand tied to regional project activity.

Partnerships between Louisiana Delta Community College, regional employers, and Grow NELA are helping connect people directly to workforce training and career opportunities that support long term growth.

Every new investment strengthens a larger ecosystem that continues to create momentum across Northeast Louisiana.

05/27/2026

Grow NELA is representing regional economic development leaders as part of the Louisiana Economic Development Japan Trade Mission. President & CEO Rob Cleveland joined government, private sector, and utility leaders in sharing the economic advantages of doing business in Louisiana, along with the more than $100 billion in new investment secured under Governor Landry’s leadership.

Earlier this week, Cleveland and Mike Causey of Hunt Guillot & Associates LLC (HGA) met with Weyerhaeuser officials in Tokyo and shared gifts representing Northeast Louisiana. Weyerhaeuser is one of many global companies continuing to invest and operate across our region.

05/20/2026

Looking to strengthen your construction business knowledge?

The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute is offering a virtual Residential Contractors Seminar designed to help construction professionals better understand industry practices, business fundamentals, and the residential contracting process.

Registration is open through Friday, May 29, 2026!

Ready to grow your construction business? 👷‍♂️

The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute is offering a virtual Residential Contractors Seminar to help you build your knowledge and take your business to the next level.

Register today through Friday, May 29, 2026!
Apply here: ➡️ OpportunityLouisiana.com/LCAI-RC

05/20/2026

There is more happening here than a single headline project.

While the Meta Richland Parish Data Center is a major catalyst, multiple industries are actively exploring opportunities across Northeast Louisiana. Target sectors such as manufacturing and logistics continue to be areas of focus based on regional strategy and site readiness efforts.

As more companies take a closer look, they are seeing available sites, workforce development efforts, and a region working together through partners like Grow NELA and Louisiana Economic Development to support expansion.

When companies evaluate where to locate, they look for sustained momentum. Northeast Louisiana is continuing to build that foundation.

05/20/2026

“Every opportunity that we can give our locals here that stops them from going across state is a win.”

Grow NELA Director of Business Retention & Expansion Brandon Welch spoke with KNOE 8 News during the Richwood Business Alliance Coffee & Conversation about the importance of workforce development, education, and creating opportunities that allow Northeast Louisiana students and families to build their future close to home.

As projects continue moving forward throughout the state and region, investing in education and workforce development remains critical to keeping talent in Louisiana and strengthening the local economy.

KNOE 8 News🎥:https://www.knoe.com/2026/05/19/grow-nela-leaders-share-strategies-with-community-richwood-business-alliance-coffee-conversation-event/

05/18/2026

Missed Louisiana Economic Development’s Source Louisiana event?

Last week, Grow NELA helped host a Source Louisiana session to show local businesses how to use the platform and better position themselves to be seen by companies and projects looking for Louisiana vendors and suppliers.

Source Louisiana was created to help connect local businesses with major projects and contracting opportunities happening across the state. To begin building your profile, check out our quick tutorial on how to get started with Source Louisiana.

05/15/2026

As investment continues across Northeast Louisiana, communities are beginning to see the impact in real time.

According to Northeast Federation of Teachers & School Employees President Sandie Lollie, sales tax growth connected to the Meta Richland Parish Data Center could lead to larger annual “13th checks” for some educators and school employees.

As construction activity continues, local spending is helping generate additional sales tax revenue throughout the region. That means the impact of economic development is not only seen in investment announcements, but also in the everyday economy that supports local communities.

KNOE 8🎥: https://www.knoe.com/2026/05/13/richland-parish-teachers-could-see-bigger-end-of-year-checks/?outputType=amp

05/14/2026

Meta and CBRE are launching a new workforce training initiative aimed at preparing thousands of technicians for careers supporting the rapid growth of data center infrastructure across the country. Grow NELA Director of Economic Development Brookley Barnes recently shared her thoughts with KNOE 8 News:

“Meta’s new fiber technician training initiative with CBRE directly addresses a nationwide shortage of skilled fiber technicians by providing fast, no-cost training and a pathway into high-demand careers supporting data center construction and operations.”

Programs like this continue to highlight the scale of opportunity tied to the future of digital infrastructure and the growing demand for skilled workers in Northeast Louisiana and beyond.

KNOE 8🎥: https://www.knoe.com/video/2026/05/07/meta-cbre-teams-up-new-free-training-program/

05/14/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday in West Monroe for the Source Louisiana interactive session hosted alongside Louisiana Economic Development.

We were excited to see such a strong turnout and great engagement from businesses across the region. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the platform and how to better position their companies for future contracting and project opportunities through Source Louisiana.

A special thank you to Louisiana Economic Development for traveling to West Monroe to guide our community through the Source Louisiana platform, as well as the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce for their partnership and support in making this event possible.

05/12/2026

🎉 Grow NELA is excited to welcome Benjamin Stokes as our new Business Development Manager!

Benjamin brings extensive experience in strategic planning, operations, and regional business engagement through leadership roles in healthcare and business development across Louisiana. His background in supporting organizational growth and working alongside businesses and stakeholders will help strengthen Grow NELA’s efforts to drive investment and opportunity across Northeast Louisiana.

In his role, Benjamin will work closely with regional partners, new industries, and community leaders to support economic development initiatives and continued momentum throughout the region.

Welcome to the team, Benjamin! We’re excited to have you at Grow NELA.