I'm smiling so big right now that I can't talk! This is wonderful news for our little part of the world!
From The News Star, June 13, 2009
By Greg Hilburn
Ouachita Lands 1,400 Jobs in Old Guide Plant
A deal has been signed that will bring about 1,400 jobs to the former Guide Corp. plant in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana business titan James Davison confirmed Saturday.
Davison, who owns the Guide facility and is an investor in the project, said a confidentiality agreement prevents him from revealing details of the deal until it's officially announced in Ouachita on Wednesday, but The News-Star has learned that the startup company will assemble new autos in the plant.
"Our infrastructure is ideal for the type of industry this project will bring and our work ethic in northeastern Louisiana is what's going to make it a success," Davision said. "I believe this project will literally change the economic landscape of the region."
The deal, known as Project Liberty, involves famed Silicon Valley venture capitalists Ray Lane and John Doerr of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.
Lane, the managing partner of KPCB, was previously president of Oracle Corp., while Doerr has backed such projects as Google and Amazon.
Many of the partners and investors will attend a dinner at Davison's Squire Creek Golf Club in Choudrant on Tuesday night in preparation of the official announcement on Wednesday.
State and local governments put together an incentive package to lure the project to Ouachita Parish, which includes up to $15 million in combined local funding and multiples of that from the state.
The cities of Monroe and West Monroe and the Ouachita Parish Police Jury will likely ask voters to a approve a new property tax to meet the local obligation. The OEDC Land Corp. ($2 million) and the I-20 Economic Development Districts ($150,000) have also committed funding toward the local $15 million.
Monroe's City Council has scheduled a special meeting on Monday to sign off on its commitment.
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I can't wait to find out more. This area needs a shot in the arm, and it looks like it's on the way! Stand by for more news about this exciting announcement.
Gayle Causey
Keller Williams Realty
Monroe, LA USA
http://GayleCausey.com
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