Alexandria
Duke survey indicates hiring will continue to grow
A recent Duke University Fuqua School of Business survey indicated that confidence among U.S. chief financial officers rose to its highest point in a year and companies expect to increase hiring for full-time jobs by 2.1 percent over the next year. Full article.
LA Assoc of Business and Industry Legislative Issues Conference set for March 5
On March 5, the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce will host the annual LA Association of Business and Industry Legislative Issues Conference at the Best Western Conference Center in Alexandria. Topics include LABI's priorities for the upcoming 2012 state legislative session. Cost is $15.00. Full article.
Customer service focus of award luncheon
On March 8, the Central Louisiana Better Business Bureau will present Torch Awards to companies that show a commitment to customer service. Location is the Alexandria Country Club. Full article.
Seminar to focus on incentives, quality jobs
The Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce and Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning and Development District are co-sponsoring a LA Economic Development Business Incentives Seminar and Clinic for Quality Jobs and Enterprise Zone on March 1. The focus of the seminar is learning how to take advantage of the state's financial incentives provided through LED. CPAs may earn Continuing Education credits for attending. Full article.
Animal Planet TV show producers coming to Cenla
The Animal Planet’s TV show, Finding Bigfoot, will come to Cenla in late March to search for Bigfoot. Area residents with information about CENLA’s Bigfoot sightings are asked to call the show’s advanced field producer. Full information.
Voting registration deadline for March 24 election is Feb 22
The deadline for voting registration for the March 24, 2012 election is March 24.Wednesday. February 22. Registrants must present picture identification. Full article.
SPARC work on Bolton Avenue on horizon
Mayor Roy recently indicated that work on Bolton Avenue, which is part of Alexandria’s Special Planned Activity Redevelopment Corridors initiative (SPARC), will begin in less than two months. Work on Bolton includes demolition of neglected structures, preservation of historic properties, construction of a bus depot, new sidewalks and landscaping. Full article.
Grant will fund financial literacy program in Alexandria
Capital One Bank in Alexandria recently awarded a $15,000 grant to the Central LA chapter of Volunteers of America to fund a financial literacy program. The grant is part of Capital One’s Investing for Good program. Full article.
Workforce Summit delivers ways to improve Cenla workforce
The idea behind the Orchard Foundation's Cenla Work Ready Network and its 2012 Workforce Summit: Communities that close the gap between the skills employers need and local workforce skills will experience economic growth. Others will be left behind. The Orchard Foundation recently launched the second phase of the Work Ready Network, opening up the program to unemployed and underemployed adults. Other topics covered included workforce training and collaboration between industry and education. Full article.
Rapides Parish sales tax collections rise
The Rapides Parish Sales and Use Tax Dept. recently reported that Rapides Parish sales tax collections were up more than 5 percent in 2011. Sales tax collections in Rapides Parish stayed strong through the first half of 2009, but fell off in 2010. Full article.
