Northeast Louisiana (NELA) has awakened. We're no longer a black and white photograph from the 1950s. Murals, sculptures, poetry readings, art galleries, museums, musical performances and festivals dot the landscape. In 2023, the City of West Monroe introduced the Ouachita River Blues Society (ORBS). The West Monroe-Monroe area now takes its rightful place alongside Memphis, Clarksdale. Greenville, Indianola, Natchez and New Orleans. Thats what ORBS means to the community.
Since the Great Flood of 2016, we have been in what looks like a full-on Renaissance in our community, but that's not the whole story. The blend of business and art is spreading in the Ouachita River Valley. I will stay with that geographic characterization, but it encompasses all of Northeast Louisiana.
Aside from nourishing our minds and souls, the current explosion of art and cultural happenings has an economic role. It's in our economic interest that our artists thrive and do well. We need them to publish their work from NELA. In every media interview they give, they will ask where they live and talk about home. We are looking very attractive to remote workers. There are cool things to do and see. The art and culture helps our leaders and economic developers with their business development efforts. We look attractive.
Remote workers will want to live and play in downtown Monroe and West Monroe. Some will have an interest in hunting and fishing in the rural areas.
There are so many people and groups responsible for this transformation taking place. Our leaders know who they are. NELA is changing, we cannot go back.
We're in "Living Color."
Tom M.
Indian Village Harvest Farm Calhoun, La
@2022 Tom Malmay
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