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Central Region

Biggest Cities: Alexandria, Fort Johnson/Leesville

Central Louisiana offers diverse career and business opportunities across key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and education, with roles in modern farming practices, production, maintenance and supply chain logistics. The region also boasts a rich cultural scene with art, history and outdoor attractions.

 

Dig Deeper:

  • See the complete list of parish and local economic development organizations in the comprehensive Directory of Regional Resources on OpportunityLouisiana.com.

Key Sectors

Agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and education are the region’s key sectors, with career and business opportunities available in production facilities, factories, healthcare and schools.

Manufacturing and Distribution

The region boasts a wide range of industries, from food processing and chemical production to metal fabrication, wood product manufacturing, and heavy metal and high-tech manufacturing, creating a favorable environment for manufacturing jobs. The region’s location along major transportation corridors makes it an ideal hub for distribution and logistics operations, creating opportunities for careers in transportation, warehousing, and logistics.

Energy

The region’s natural resources, including oil, gas, and timber, have fueled the growth of the energy sector offering opportunities in renewable and alternative energy, oil and gas exploration and production, and energy-related services.

Healthcare

The region’s growing demand for healthcare services has created job opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities, fostering career opportunities including nursing, medical technology, pharmacy and healthcare administration.

Culture

The Central Region offers a rich arts and cultural scene complemented by the Red River, numerous lakes, and a national forest for outdoor recreation, museums and festivals showcasing central Louisiana’s unique history, and much more.

Arts & Festivals

Comprised of key attractions like the Alexandria Museum of Art and the Coughlin Saunders Performing Arts Center, this downtown Alexandria hub is a center for arts and culture including community theater groups, the Rapides Symphony and much more. In addition, River Oaks Arts Center is a unique arts hub that features three galleries and 25 resident artist studios and the T.R.E.E House Children’s Museum features unique exhibits and interactive learning opportunities. The Central Louisiana region is also known for its festivals including Alex WinterFete, Alex RiverFete, Louisiana Forest Festival, Louisiana Pecan Festival, Catahoula Lake Waterfowl Festival, MayFest, and the Cochon de Lait Festival.

Outdoor Recreation

Louisiana’s only national forest, Kisatchie National Forest, is known for its longleaf piney hills and outdoor recreation opportunities. Featuring 600,000 acres, the national forest is a destination for hiking, camping, horseback riding, and cycling. Other regional outdoor recreation assets include the Alexandria Zoo, numerous lakes, the Red River, Louisiana Dragon Boat Races, and the Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge.

Historical Treasures

History is all around the region, from the Kent Plantation House, and Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Parks, the Louisiana History Museum, the Southern Forest Heritage Museum, the Louisiana Political Museum, the Hotel Bentley, Frogmore Plantation, Marksville Prehistoric Indian Site, and the historic Vernon Parish Jail.