BOSSIER PARISH, La. — The Coordinating and Development Corporation has been awarded a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development grant and will partner with the Bossier Chamber of Commerce to support retail growth in three rural Bossier Parish communities.
The grant will fund a retail development initiative scheduled to launch in 2026 in Benton, Haughton and Plain Dealing. The CDC and the chamber will work with Retail Strategies to implement the company’s Retail Academy program in each municipality.
Through the program, participating communities will receive data on local consumer spending patterns and access to retail recruitment tools designed to help attract new businesses. Retail Strategies, along with the CDC and the chamber, will provide ongoing support as each town develops and executes its retail growth plans.
“Retail development is economic development,” said Lisa Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. “We are seeing a lot of growth and interest for residents and businesses to locate in our rural communities. As we work to grow our region, we have to make sure that we take measured steps to give these communities the tools to make informed decisions for the future of their towns. Retail not only brings jobs to our area but it brings opportunities for our residents to spend their money locally and keep those dollars circulating in Bossier Parish.”
Officials said the initiative is intended to strengthen local economies by expanding commercial options, supporting job creation and encouraging residents to keep more consumer spending within their communities.