This is your chance to make a difference.
Outmigration. Population loss. Redistricting. Negativity. Crime. Workforce shortages.
We’ve all heard the negative news about Louisiana and particularly North Louisiana lately.
That’s why it’s never been more important for our residents and business leaders to step up and lay claim to the future you want our region and our state to have – one that matches the headlines of population and job growth that the rest of the Southeast is seeing.
Our region is a vibrant one and while we might be short on time to get in gear, we are definitely long on possibilities.
Thanks to the work of Visit Shreveport-Bossier, our region has been rebranded and I think the results truly tell our story. Let this serve as a launching point for us because it is definitely what I see when I think of my home, Shreveport-Bossier.
We have enough flavor, style and soul for two cities.
That’s right! What if we thought about being a twin city community as an ASSET instead of a competition. We share lots of great things in Shreveport-Bossier and our great people can achieve great things – TOGETHER. Over the years, we have let our egos and that river come between us. But what if we thought of the Red River as the thing that JOINS us?!? We really aren’t that different.
A Little This. A Little That. A Whole Lotta Us.
If you asked everyone who lived here right now their favorite thing about Shreveport-Bossier, they would all give you different answers. Instead of trying to fight it, let’s just embrace it. Would it be so bad if we all thought of Northwest Louisiana as a land of opportunity for EVERYONE?
Some of us look for action plans on how to move forward or make a difference. In that case, you action-oriented business people can join us for our State of the Community Report on Sept. 27, where we outline our inherent regional strengths, talk about growth points and point to our priorities for moving Northwest Louisiana forward.
Looking for something you can do that’s a little less analytical?
Look for the positive.
That’s really about it. Do things that are fun around town. Talk positively about your experiences to your friends and family and on social media. And then repeat.
I truly believe the No. 1 thing we can do to move the needle around here is to be positive and love where you live.
Two cities. One heart. A whole lotta us.
Lisa Johnson is president and CEO of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce
