It is another beautiful day and beautiful week about to begin in Monroe, Louisiana.
Thank you for your chamber membership and for being a difference maker in our community. I
hope everyone had a chance to join us last Tuesday at our “State of Local Government”
luncheon.
What a great event and great presentations by two great leaders. Mayor Friday Ellis and
Ouachita Parish Police Jury President Shane Smiley laid out two complimenting successes and
visions about the direction we are going. Below is an article from The News-Star that details
things. If you go to our website under the Monroe tab you can see some videos from the city
and be watching under the same tab as we will loading the “Live Ouachita” video that Mr. Smiley
introduced.
, Police Jury president tout growth in Monroe and Ouachita Parish (thenewsstar.com)
Consolidation Update – A survey went out to both our membership and the WMWO Chamber
membership two weeks ago. We will share results and update you all on where we are very
soon.
Technology Update – Thank you to all who filled out our second survey. John Jones heads up
our Technology committee. His committee has expanded to include other community members
who specialize in technology. Be watching for two events this fall. A cyber security workshop
and a social media workshop. Thanks to all who have reached out to help on both.
Governmental Affairs Update;
Your GAC met with Dr. Brent Vidrine to get an update on Monroe City Schools. Dr. Vidrine laid
out a very comprehensive plan on upgrade facilities and news on the upcoming school year. We
meet with Mayor Ellis on August 10th. The meeting will be at the Benoit Recreation Center. We
will also have meetings in the next few weeks with Mr. Smiley and Dr.. Coker.
Your chamber along with KEDM and The West Monroe / West Ouachita Chamber will be
hosting a political forum in October prior to the election. Here is an article on those who have
qualified.
Here’s who qualified for November 8 primary elections (thenewsstar.com)
Non-Profit Update: Thanks to the efforts of Kirsten Gladen and her non-profit committee and
thanks to our partners at The United Way of Northeast Louisiana a survey will go out this week
to local non-profts in effort to help them.
Workforce: Our joint workforce coordinator, Adam Alexander, has hit the streets running. He is
meeting and coordinating all things workforce. Adam is coordinating a giant Career Fair Expo on
September 21st at The Monroe Civic Center – this will be a great event and one to help in your
hiring. Interesting article from The News-Star.
Louisiana employment reaches all-time high, data says (thenewsstar.com)
What a fun ribbon cutting last Thursday in beautiful downtown Monroe. Thanks to the Echols
family for continuing to reinvest in our downtown.
See you this Thursday at the Art Crawl:
Sample art and crafts at the next Downtown Gallery Crawl in Monroe (thenewsstar.com)
Young Professionals:
Our Young Professionals will meet Tuesday August 9th at Flying Tiger. Get your Talons out as
Athletic Director Scott McDonald shares the inside of ULM Athletics. Below is an article on
Coach Bowden’s outlook for the 2022 season. If you haven’t bought your season tickets there is
still time.
ULM football coach Terry Bowden breaks down team at Sun Belt Media Day (thenewsstar.com)
Education Update: A lot of GREAT things going on with our Education Committee. Banners will
be sent off soon for all MCS schools. We have grouped each of our membership businesses by
zones around each city school. Maggie Generous has surveyed all of our school principals for a
“Needs List” to start the school year. We will share that list with our members so each of you can
find ways you can support the schools nearest your business. On September 27th a group of us
will be going to visit the innovation happening at Walker High School and the Helix Academy in
Baon Rouge. Quentin Durr and Roy Heatherly met with Lon Smith of ULM who is teaching
coding and esports at Neville High School. Quentin and I are working on how we help the
school system expand these programs. Finally on September 15-17 Roy Moye III will be here to
share his musical talents with MCS schools 3rd and 4th graders teaching them about STEM. He
is also planning some shows at the Children’s Museum.Here is a link to his website.
Ambassadors: Our Ambassadors meet this Tuesday at DOMO. DJ Fortenberry with the city will
be there to discuss Economic Development (industrial and retail).
Small Business: Our Small Business Committee is working with the city on meetings with you
our local business owners. We have already had meetings with Pecanland Mall and the
commercial realtors. Did you know the Mall makes up a huge portion of our sales tax revenues
and has over 2,000,000 visitors a year.
Inside Chamber Magazine: We are beginning work on our annual “Inside the Chamber”
magazine. We are planning a special section inside. We will reaching out with advertising
opportunities.
Website: PLEASE visit our website – we continue to add things to it plus it houses all our survey
results.
Social Media:
● Please follow us if you haven’t already.
● 100 Days of Funroe – We are almost 20 days in and more great things coming.
● Total Resource – We continue our campaign to thank all of you who make it possible to
do our program of works.
● Continue to watch each Wednesday for a new episode of “Ouachita One Table”.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
● Our 20 Under 40 event will be on August 11th. What a great group of over 60 nominees.
● Our “Vision on Education” lunch will be August 16th.
● OUr Golf Tournament will be September 16th.
● Our joint Career Expo will be on September 21st
● Our annual Holiday GALA will be December 1st.