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Comment: In accordance with the Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of Use, I disclose that I have been paid by my employer for my contributions to this article. Lmillsap187 (talk) 16:02, 30 August 2025 (UTC)
Grow NELA is a regional economic development organization based in Monroe, Louisiana, serving a 10-parish region across Northeast Louisiana. As the lead entity for business attraction, site readiness, and investment growth in the region, Grow NELA plays a central role in positioning rural Louisiana as a competitive destination for advanced manufacturing, logistics, and technology industries. The organization supports municipalities and industry leaders by coordinating infrastructure development, workforce solutions, and private investment strategies that create jobs and expand the regional tax base. Its work has helped shape the region’s identity as a hub for certified industrial sites and large-scale development, including the recruitment of Meta’s Project Sucre—a $10 billion, 4‑million‑square‑foot AI data center in Richland Parish. At the time of its announcement, it was the largest private capital investment in Louisiana’s history and Meta’s largest data center project to date.
History
editGrow NELA was officially incorporated in the State of Louisiana in 1994, as Macon Ridge Economic Development Region Incorporated, with a founding mission centered on business recruitment, infrastructure development, and expanded economic opportunity in rural Northeast Louisiana. In 2004, the organization adopted the name Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance (NELEA), reflecting its broader role as a regional connector among local governments, industry leaders, and state agencies across a 10-parish area.
In 2024, the organization began operating under the name Grow NELA, marking a strategic shift that emphasized large-scale site readiness, regional competitiveness, and the attraction of high-wage industries—a direction later reflected in its role in securing Meta’s $10 billion AI data center in Richland Parish. The project, widely regarded as the largest private capital investment in Louisiana’s history at the time, brought national visibility to the region and positioned Grow NELA as a key player in shaping the state’s emerging data infrastructure corridor.
In June 2024, Rob Cleveland, a veteran of both public- and private-sector economic development, was appointed President & CEO of Grow NELA. His leadership marked a continuation of the organization’s mission to advance industrial competitiveness in the region, with a renewed focus on data-led planning and strategic coordination. Under his direction, Grow NELA has expanded its engagement with national site selectors and workforce partners, positioning Northeast Louisiana to compete more aggressively for transformative projects in data infrastructure, logistics, and advanced manufacturing.
Service region
editGrow NELA represents a 10-parish area with a combined population of approximately 300,000 residents. The region includes:
Caldwell East Carroll Franklin Madison Morehouse Ouachita Richland Tensas Union West Carroll
This territory spans much of rural Northeast Louisiana and includes key cities such as Monroe, West Monroe, Bastrop, Winnsboro, and Rayville.
Mission and activities
editGrow NELA's mission is to attract private investment, create new jobs, and expand the regional tax base. To accomplish this, the organization focuses on: Business Attraction: Engaging domestic and international companies in site selection and expansion across the 10-parish area. Business Retention and Expansion: a partnership with Louisiana Economic Development to work with existing businesses in Northeast Louisiana to eliminate barriers to create new jobs and attract new investment. Industrial Site Development: Coordinating certification, infrastructure, and marketing for LED Certified Sites. Regional Marketing: Promoting the region’s assets through campaigns, digital content, and investor outreach. Workforce Development: Partnering with Louisiana Delta Community College and local schools to align training programs with in-demand industries. In addition to its recruitment efforts, Grow NELA works with local governments to form Industrial Development Boards and expand local capacity to respond to business opportunities.
Major projects and impact
editMeta AI Data Center
On December 4, 2024, Grow NELA announced its pivotal role in securing a $10 billion investment from Meta (formerly Facebook) to build a 4-million-square-foot AI-optimized data center in Richland Parish. At the time of its announcement, the project was the largest single private capital investment in Louisiana’s history, expected to generate:
5,000 construction jobs during the development phase
500 permanent high-wage positions
Over 1,000 indirect jobs across the region
The project was enabled through coordinated efforts with LED, Entergy, and state leadership. Entergy plans to construct three natural gas-fired power plants to support the center’s energy needs. The announcement led to an influx of new leads: by early 2025, Grow NELA reported 22 active data center and industrial prospects following Meta’s commitment.
Calhoun Technology Park
In February 2025, Grow NELA partnered with Ouachita Parish officials to accelerate development at the Calhoun Technology Park, a strategic ___location along the I‑20 corridor between Monroe and Ruston. Grow NELA applied for over $100,000 in LACRED funds and pledged a 10% local match to fund site engineering, marketing, and readiness.
Mid South Extrusion Expansion
Grow NELA supported Mid South Extrusion, a leading plastic film manufacturer based in Monroe, in two major expansions in 2024 and 2025 totaling over $29 million. These projects created over 30 direct jobs and nearly 60 indirect jobs. Grow NELA described the company as an “anchor employer” whose growth demonstrated the region’s logistical and workforce advantages.
Organizational structure
editGrow NELA operates as a private, nonprofit, investor-led corporation governed by a board of regional business and civic leaders. It works closely with LED, Entergy, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and local chambers of commerce to coordinate economic development efforts across the region. Its headquarters are located in Monroe, Louisiana.
Recognition and media coverage
editGrow NELA has been profiled by numerous national and regional outlets, including:
The Wall Street Journal – for its role in Meta’s AI data center selection
Axios, CoStar News, and 10/12 Industry Report – for its leadership in data infrastructure projects
KNOE 8 News, Louisiana First News, and Business Facilities – for its stakeholder events and regional development projects
See also
editLouisiana Economic Development
Northeast Louisiana
Meta Platforms