"One City, One Future" – That is the official motto for the vibrant city of Monroe, which is located in the seat of Quachita Parish in Louisiana. As the economic, educational and medical hub for northeastern Louisiana, Monroe presents as an attractive option should you be thinking of moving to Monroe.
History:
Named after the fifth President of the U. S., James Monroe, the city formed part of the Louisiana Purchase from the French. During the Civil War, Monroe had Confederate training camps, but with New Orleans falling to the Union in 1862 the Monroe area experienced an influx of refugees, many of who were despised by local residents for their wartime affiliations. One of history's more colorful people, Joseph A. Biedenharn decided to move to Monroe in 1913, bringing with him the earliest recipe of Coca-Cola which he had bottled successfully in Vicksburg earlier. Biedenharn's house and gardens now operate as a home museum in Monroe. Refining the Coca-Cola product was not the only thing he developed though, as he was also one of the founders of Delta Airlines (then Delta Air Services) based in Monroe too. The boll weevil infestation of the cotton crop in the Mississippi River Delta in the early 20th century led to the Great Migration as hundreds of thousands of African Americans left the rural South in search of jobs elsewhere.
Economy:
The city of Monroe is working collaboratively to improve its infrastructure, the workforce and the general business environment. There is a proud sense of joint venturing with public and private participation, with the aim of growth and expansion as well as enticing new business. Over the past few years, Monroe has welcomed several new ventures to its community and this is transforming the area into a more progressive and competitive region. Healthcare services remain the largest employer accounting for nearly 20 percent of jobs in Munroe, while the retail sector and education services come in second and third respectively.
Tourism:
What is your fancy? Shopping, eating, discovering, playing or staying? Well, Monroe has lots to offer in any of the above categories. Visit the official Monroe and West Monroe website to pick up on the detail. Joseph A. Biedenharn's house would be a good start in this regard, followed perhaps by a visit to a restored cotton mill.