Louisiana Central

What Louisiana Central does

Louisiana Central, doing business as the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, is a private nonprofit economic development organization headquartered at 1302 Murray Street in Alexandria, Louisiana. The organization serves a contiguous ten-parish region of Central Louisiana (spanning from the Mississippi River to the Sabine River) and operates as the region's designated comprehensive economic development body, with a stated mission to grow the economy, champion the region's people, and raise the area's median household income above the national average. It is governed by a Board of Directors composed of two-thirds investing members and one-third participating members, and it employs 11-50 staff across functions including the President & CEO, Vice President, Executive Directors of Business Acceleration and Business Development, a Director of Healthcare Career Central, and a Director of Marketing and Communications.

The organization delivers a portfolio of programs rather than commercial products. Core programs include the Business Acceleration System (entrepreneurship coaching), the Farmer Training Program (12-month program for beginning farmers), Outside Central (outdoor recreation economy development, launched 2020), Healthcare Career Central (healthcare workforce pipeline, launched 2023), the Alexandria Farmers Market (~26,000 annual visitors), Louisiana Food Fellows (food systems leadership, 100+ graduates), Organic Louisiana / SE TOPP (organic transition support), and the ACT Work Ready / Cenla Work Ready Network (workforce credentialing with nearly 500 company partners). The technology stack is conventional (website, email, social, YouTube, weekly KSYL radio) with no proprietary software or AI capabilities; the Alexandria Farmers Market operates as a physical direct-to-consumer channel at 2727 Jackson St.

The business model is philanthropic and grant-funded, not commercial. Services to businesses, entrepreneurs, farmers, and workers are provided at no cost. Core operating revenue comes from annual investing member contributions (members at the $2,500+ level gain board seats) with dollar-for-dollar matching from The Rapides Foundation. Program-specific grants are sourced from the USDA (Farmer Training Program BFRDP and NRCS), the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, Louisiana Economic Development, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, and other funders. The organization pursues a community-led go-to-market motion centered on direct outreach, strategic convening, partnership coordination, and storytelling through earned media, events, and the #WeMakeGoodStuff regional brand. Its 2025-2026 Elevate 2030 strategic plan formalizes six target sectors (Energy, Agribusiness & Wood Products, Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Transportation/Distribution & Logistics) and four strategic pillars (Economic Development, Strategic Partnerships, Marketing & Communications, and Organizational Excellence).

Name

Louisiana Central

Legal name

Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance

Website

https://louisiana-central.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Louisiana Central is a nonprofit economic development organization serving the ten-parish Central Louisiana region. It runs a portfolio of no-cost programs (entrepreneurship coaching, farmer training, healthcare workforce, outdoor recreation) funded by investing members, the Rapides Foundation, and federal/state grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Economic Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIACAN

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

SECONDARYEDAAAFAK

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

SECONDARYBPAGADAB

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGADAI

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Regional economic development
• Entrepreneurship coaching programs
• Workforce development services
• Business recruitment support
• Community development initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Investing Member Contributions: Core operating funding is provided by investing members who make annual financial contributions. Members at the $2,500+ level gain a seat on the Board of Directors.
2. The Rapides Foundation Matching Funding: The Rapides Foundation provides dollar-for-dollar matching on investing member contributions, amplifying the impact of private philanthropy in funding Louisiana Central's core operations.
3. Program-Specific Grants: Federal and state grants support individual programs. Sources include USDA (Farmer Training Program BFRDP and NRCS), U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, Louisiana Economic Development, and other organizations for specific initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Louisiana Central is a nonprofit economic development organization that delivers no-cost programs and services to grow the Central Louisiana regional economy. Its core offerings include entrepreneurship coaching through the Business Acceleration System, farmer training and agricultural business development, workforce credentialing via ACT WorkKeys, healthcare career pipeline programs, outdoor recreation economy building, and direct business recruitment and site selection support for the ten-parish region.

Product overview

Louisiana Central is an economic development organization serving the ten-parish Central Louisiana region. Rather than a unified software product, it operates a portfolio of economic development programs including the Business Acceleration System for entrepreneurship support, Farmer Training Program for agricultural business development, Outside Central for outdoor recreation economy development, Healthcare Career Central for healthcare workforce pipeline, Alexandria Farmers Market for local food access, Louisiana Food Fellows for leadership development, and Organic Louisiana/TOPP for organic transition support. These programs work together to drive regional prosperity through workforce development, business support, and community building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Acceleration System (BAS) A multi-faceted entrepreneurship support program providing coaching, technical assistance, classroom learning, and web-based instruction to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses across ten Central Louisiana parishes. Services are provided at no cost to participants.
• Farmer Training Program A 12-month business development program for new and beginning farmers (1-10 years experience) offering group workshops, one-on-one technical assistance, business coaching, and access to business loans supporting local production of specialty crops and grass-based livestock.
• Outside Central An outdoor recreation initiative launched in 2019-2020 to build an equitable and accessible outdoor recreation culture within the ten-parish region, pursuing economic development through network-building, infrastructure development, entrepreneurship, skill-building, regional branding, and industry recruitment.
• Healthcare Career Central A resource hub that links students, parents, teachers, and counselors to healthcare career paths and resources in Central Louisiana, addressing the growing need for healthcare workers through a central website, social media, and community outreach.
• Alexandria Farmers Market A weekly farmers market held every Tuesday from 3:00-6:00pm at 2727 Jackson St, Alexandria, LA, connecting the community with local farmers, ranchers, and agricultural artisans while providing access to fresh, healthy, local food.
• Louisiana Food Fellows A leadership development program building stronger communities through local food, introducing food systems from a grassroots perspective with workshops in community food systems, policy, outreach, and community organizing.
• Organic Louisiana / TOPP A cooperative effort by the Louisiana Small Scale Agriculture Coalition (LSSAC) coordinating the Southeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program (SE TOPP) to support small-scale agriculture with expansion of organic production practices through mentorship and technical assistance.
• ACT Work Ready A workforce readiness program connecting emerging, current, and transitioning workers with ACT WorkKeys assessment and the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), preparing tomorrow's workforce for the jobs of the future.
• Advanced Manufacturing Technician A work-based learning program offered by Northwestern State University and Central Louisiana Technical Community College where students earn an Associate of Science Degree while working at sponsoring manufacturers three days per week.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly $2 billion in announced capital investment (SunGas Renewables) and $75 million (Ucore Rare Metals)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and notable.

• Louisiana Economic Development (LED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLouisiana Economic Development is the state-level economic development agency that partners with Louisiana Central on business recruitment, incentive programs, loan and equity programs for small businesses, and statewide economic development strategy.
• Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLTCC is a key higher education and workforce partner, collaborating on the Advanced Manufacturing Technician program, Work Ready U adult education, and providing workshop venues and training infrastructure across the region.
• Louisiana State University Alexandria (LSUA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLSUA is a founding higher education partner in Louisiana Central's Decade of Learning initiative and collaborates on workforce pipeline programs including the Professional Aviation program and nursing grant activities.
• Northwestern State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthwestern State University co-delivers the Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) Associate Degree program with CLTCC and serves as a key higher education partner in the Decade of Learning initiative.
• Louisiana CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLouisiana College participates in the Decade of Learning collaborative aimed at driving up educational achievement and credential attainment across Central Louisiana.
• The Orchard FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Orchard Foundation co-convenes the Cenla Work Ready Network with Louisiana Central and The Rapides Foundation, providing ACT WorkKeys assessment infrastructure and connecting workers with employers across the region.
• Ucore Rare Metals Inc.flagshipOthersUcore is a major economic development win, investing $75 million to establish the first North American modern technology rare earth element separation and purification facility in Alexandria. Louisiana Central and England Airpark co-hosted the April 2023 announcement event. Expected to create 100 direct jobs.
• SunGas Renewables (Beaver Lake Renewable Energy)flagshipOthersSunGas Renewables is investing nearly $2 billion to construct a green methanol production facility (Beaver Lake Renewable Energy) in Pineville, LA. This is the largest announced economic development project in the region, expected to create 1,150+ construction jobs and 100+ operational positions.
• Vexus FibermajorOthersVexus Fiber has established an Alexandria/Pineville presence with a grand opening of a new office location, expanding high-speed broadband infrastructure in Central Louisiana. Featured on Louisiana Central Industry Update with regional General Manager Chris Fontenot.
• ClecomajorOthersCleco is a major manufacturing employer in the region operating the Cleco Manufacturing Center at CLTCC. Partnered on manufacturing career development, career expo events, and workforce pipeline initiatives.
• Procter & Gamble (P&G)majorOthersProcter & Gamble operates a plant in Central Louisiana. Plant Manager Peter Orji appeared on the Louisiana Central Industry Update discussing the local plant's impact on the regional economy.
• DRAX BiomassmajorOthersDRAX Biomass operates a biomass production facility in Urania, LA. The company won the 2023 Lantern Award for the Louisiana Central region and was featured on the Industry Update radio show.
• RoyOMartinmajorOthersRoyOMartin is a leading regional wood products and forestry company with a Women in Manufacturing program featured on the Louisiana Central Industry Update. The company's Dr. Donna Bailey discussed initiatives to empower women in the manufacturing sector.
• Hayes ManufacturingmajorOthersHayes Manufacturing is a regional manufacturer featured in the #WeMakeGoodStuff campaign. President Jason Hayes appeared on the Industry Update discussing the company's ongoing developments and operations in Central Louisiana.
• UTLX Manufacturing (Union Tank Car Company)majorOthersUTLX Manufacturing is a major railcar manufacturing employer in Alexandria, featured on the Industry Update. General Manager Randy McDougal discussed operations and company updates.
• Plastipak PackagingmajorOthersPlastipak Packaging is a manufacturing company in the region with expansion in Production and Warehouse Operations. Talent Manager Jessica Paul discussed business growth, career opportunities, and workforce development partnerships on the Industry Update.
• Ad CentralnotableOthersAd Central, owned by Jorge Rocha, received the #WeMakeGoodStuff Award at the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber Bizzy Awards. A Pineville-based advertising agency specializing in political and corporate advertising.
• The Flurry GroupnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Flurry Group authored the 2019 outdoor recreation economic impact report commissioned by CLEDA that guides the Outside Central initiative. The report identified $2.8 billion in annual outdoor recreation spending in the region.
• Florida Organic Growers (FOG)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlorida Organic Growers administers the Southeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program (SE TOPP) for USDA AMS NOP. Louisiana Central is a state partner delivering mentorship and technical assistance to transitioning organic farmers.
• Market UmbrellacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarket Umbrella is a key food systems partner, co-delivering the Organic Louisiana / SE TOPP program with Louisiana Central and Sprout Nola. Also co-facilitates the Louisiana Farmers Market Managers Network and operates Greaux the Good SNAP matching program.
• Sprout NolacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSprout Nola is a partner in the Organic Louisiana SE TOPP initiative and a member of the Louisiana Small Scale Agriculture Coalition, providing technical assistance to small-scale farmers statewide.
• BREADA (Big River Economic Agriculture Development Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBREADA is a founding member of the Louisiana Small Scale Agriculture Coalition and co-facilitates the Louisiana Farmers Market Managers Network alongside Louisiana Central and Market Umbrella.
• Louisiana Small Scale Agriculture Coalition (LSSAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLSSAC is a statewide coalition ensuring equitable opportunities for small-scale agriculture in Louisiana. Louisiana Central serves as a member organization and leads the Farmer Training Program in partnership with Shreveport Green. The coalition coordinates USDA TOPPS and RFBC programs statewide.
• Louisiana Food Fellows Program PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLouisiana Food Fellows has graduated 100+ participants across the state. The program introduces food systems leadership, community organizing, and policy engagement. National experts lead workshops on food systems, equity, and policy.
• Louisiana Workforce CommissionnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Louisiana Workforce Commission's Business & Career Solutions Centers partner with Louisiana Central on ACT WorkKeys testing and the Work Ready Network, connecting job seekers with employer skill requirements.
• U.S. National Forest ServicenotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe U.S. National Forest Service partnered with Louisiana Central and local community groups to host the first-ever Wild Azalea Trail Blitz (34 residents participated), as part of the Outside Central outdoor recreation initiative.
• USDA Natural Resource Conservation ServicenotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerLouisiana Central developed a three-year outreach agreement with USDA NRCS to partner on implementing outdoor recreation planning and programming in the ten-parish region.
• Retail StrategiesnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerLouisiana Central received a grant from Retail Strategies, a national organization helping communities attract businesses, to assist rural Central Louisiana communities with retail and community development initiatives.
• CenlaSTEMnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenlaSTEM collaborates with Louisiana Central on STEM workforce pipeline initiatives, connecting educational offerings with industry skill needs in healthcare and manufacturing sectors.
• Chambers of Commerce (Bunkie, Central Louisiana Regional Chamber, Grant, Marksville, Vernon, Winn)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerSix Chambers of Commerce across the Central Louisiana region partner with Louisiana Central on the Business Acceleration System, entrepreneurship programming, and the annual #WeMakeGoodStuff Bizzy Awards.
• Small Business Development Center AlexandrianotableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe SBDC in Alexandria serves as a coaching partner for the Business Acceleration System, providing additional business development resources alongside BAS coaching staff.
• Communities UnlimitednotableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunities Unlimited is a coaching partner in the Business Acceleration System ecosystem, providing small business technical assistance and coaching support to Central Louisiana entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Baton Rouge Area Chamber: Regional chamber of commerce / EDA serving the Baton Rouge area in Louisiana, executing a similar playbook of business recruitment, workforce development, and policy advocacy for a defined parish-level geography. Closest in-state comparable given shared state-level LED partnership.
• One Acadiana: Regional EDA for the nine-parish Acadiana region of South Louisiana, with a similar structure combining business recruitment, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Comparable in mission, governance, and funding model (investor members + foundation support).
• Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance: Regional EDA covering multiple parishes in Northeast Louisiana with a similar rural-and-small-metro focus, working on industry recruitment and workforce development. Most direct peer in terms of rural Louisiana economic development context and parish-based structure.
• Greater New Orleans, Inc. Regional economic development organization for the 10-parish New Orleans region. Operates a similar model of cross-parish coordination, business recruitment, and industry-focused initiatives; comparable in scale and EDA structure though in a more urban market.
• Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA): Louisiana-based economic development organization for the Acadiana region. Operates a parallel model of parish-level convening, business recruitment, and workforce programs and is one of the most direct peers given the shared statewide context and LED partnership.

Emerging players

• Center for Rural Entrepreneurship: National nonprofit focused on rural and small-region economic development through entrepreneurship. Direct thematic peer given Louisiana Central's BAS, Farmer Training Program, and Side Hustle Initiative work targeting rural entrepreneurs and small-business owners.

Broad incumbents

• Metro Atlanta Chamber: Large, well-capitalized metropolitan EDA executing an industry-recruitment and workforce strategy across multiple counties. Comparable in offering a multi-sector, multi-county convening model, but with significantly greater resources and a larger employer base.
• San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation: Multi-county regional EDA focused on industry cluster development, international trade, and workforce. Comparable structure as a member-driven, multi-parish EDA with a portfolio approach spanning target sectors.
• Greater Houston Partnership: One of the largest regional EDOs in the U.S. covering the Houston region. Provides a benchmark for what a scaled-up, multi-county EDA operating across energy, healthcare, and advanced industry sectors can look like — useful as an aspirational comparable for Louisiana Central's long-term trajectory.

Others

• International Economic Development Council (IEDC): Industry association for the economic development profession. Not a competitor but the principal membership body, training provider, and accreditation body for credentialed economic developers (CEcD) like Louisiana Central's leadership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chooselacentral
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCNVfOBlo1nlby6oW1-MC9HA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/louisianacentral
• Instagraminstagram.com/LouisianaCentral/#

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Louisiana Central