ALEXANDRIA, La. (UrbanCast: 8/26/2026) — Billions of dollars in investment are moving through Central Louisiana, major projects are increasing demand for skilled workers, and Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Masingill says communities must be ready to capture the opportunities that follow.
Masingill delivered an economic development update to the Alexandria City Council this week as he marked one year leading the 10-parish regional organization.
His message was overwhelmingly optimistic, but it also carried a challenge: Attracting investment is only the beginning. Communities have to be prepared for the growth that follows.
Billions in Regional Investment
Masingill told council Louisiana Central has been involved in approximately $4.2 billion in new capital investment during his first year.
He also reported approximately $3.5 billion in expansion work across the region and another $622 million in active expansion projects that have not yet been announced.
Those figures represent Louisiana Central’s accounting of projects it has been involved with.
“There are good things happening,” Masingill said, emphasizing a more proactive approach to economic development.
“Nobody’s going to come and save us. We’ve got to make sure that we’re doing our part.”
Alexandria Is the Economic Anchor
Masingill described Alexandria as the economic anchor of Central Louisiana.
He told council the 10-parish region represents approximately $18.8 billion in GDP, with the Alexandria metropolitan economy accounting for approximately $8.3 billion.
He also cited approximately 69,000 jobs associated with the Alexandria-area economy and highlighted industries including healthcare, manufacturing, wood products, chemicals, machinery and electrical equipment.
The figures were presented by Masingill as regional economic estimates.
Coca-Cola and the Data Center
Masingill highlighted Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED’s planned $106 million Alexandria expansion.
Louisiana Economic Development says the project is expected to create 50 direct jobs averaging $65,000 annually, retain 2,120 positions and generate an estimated 84 indirect jobs.
Masingill also discussed Applied Digital’s approximately $3.6 billion data center development in Rapides Parish, expected to create 200 full-time on-site jobs and more than 1,000 construction jobs at peak.
He emphasized the opportunities these developments could create for people who pursue trades and technical credentials rather than only traditional four-year degrees.
Masingill said Central Louisiana needs welders, pipefitters, electricians, plumbers, HVAC workers and computer programmers.
“We can’t produce enough,” he said.
Questions About the Data Center
Council members asked Masingill about potential downsides of the data center, including utility costs and water consumption.
Masingill told council additional utility infrastructure required for the project would not be shifted onto existing ratepayers. Cleco has also publicly stated that the data center will pay the cost of power and infrastructure necessary to serve the facility.
On water, Masingill said the development will use a closed-loop cooling system, which has also been confirmed in public project announcements.
He characterized the facility’s routine water needs as minimal. UrbanCast has not independently verified the specific household water-use comparison Masingill made during the meeting.
“Can You Welcome Investment at the Speed of Business?”
Perhaps Masingill’s most pointed comments came when a council member asked whether local government needed to do anything it had not already done.
Masingill did not directly criticize Alexandria.
Instead, he raised questions about codes and ordinances, small-business permitting, regulatory barriers and housing development.
He said communities should consider whether entrepreneurs can move through government processes efficiently and whether enough diverse housing is available to accommodate growth.
Then he posed a direct question:
“Can you welcome investment at the speed of business?”
Masingill said local governments should be proactive because additional growth could follow the projects already underway.
Transportation and Childcare Remain Barriers
Masingill also identified Central Louisiana’s labor-force participation rate as a concern, placing it at approximately 59%.
He said the region has not experienced the same improvement seen elsewhere in Louisiana and identified transportation and childcare as two significant barriers keeping people outside the workforce.
“We can’t afford to let one person be on the sidelines,” he said.
His point was that creating jobs isn’t enough. Residents must also be able to reach those jobs, obtain the necessary skills and have access to reliable childcare.
Former IP Site Could Become Major Industrial Asset
Masingill also announced Louisiana Central is involved in efforts to redevelop the former International Paper site.
He said he believes the property could eventually become one of Louisiana’s top industrial manufacturing sites.
Masingill sees potential opportunities involving aerospace, advanced manufacturing and secondary supply-chain industries, pointing to Central Louisiana’s existing defense and aerospace presence, available sites and geographic location.
He did not announce a new aerospace project for Alexandria but said the region should position itself to compete as aerospace investment expands elsewhere in Louisiana.
One Year of Rebuilding Louisiana Central
Masingill described his first year as “flying and building the plane at the same time.”
Louisiana Central’s “We Make Good Stuff” roadshow resulted in more than 700 meetings with business and community leaders and approximately 1,700 miles of travel, according to Masingill.
The organization has since launched a comprehensive 10-parish economic development plan and expanded its team.
Masingill made clear he does not intend to return to a passive approach.
“I’m not here to accept status quo,” he said. “I’m not here to accept complacency.”
Is the Region Ready for What Comes Next?
Masingill’s update presented a Central Louisiana economy experiencing substantial activity.
Coca-Cola UNITED is planning a $106 million Alexandria expansion. Applied Digital is developing an approximately $3.6 billion project in Rapides Parish. Louisiana Central says billions more in investment and expansion projects have moved through its pipeline.
But the presentation also raised questions that extend beyond the size of those investments.
Can Central Louisiana produce enough skilled workers?
Can residents get transportation to available jobs?
Is childcare available?
Is there enough housing?
Can small businesses navigate local government efficiently?
And can communities move quickly enough when investment arrives?
Masingill believes Central Louisiana can compete.
His message to the Alexandria City Council was clear: the opportunity is growing, and being ready for it will matter.
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