The Monroe Chamber of Commerce hosted its 104th annual banquet on Feb. 13, bringing together community leaders, elected officials, and stakeholders from across the state. The sold-out event featured board members discussing the city of Monroe's recent accomplishments and outlining their goals for 2025.
Highlights of the Event
During the banquet, attendees engaged in a fireside chat with representatives from Meta and construction companies like Daniel Harmon from Turner Construction, Andy Andres from DPR Construction, and Steven Knighton from M.A. Mortensen Company. The focus was on the upcoming data center project in Richland Parish.
Monroe Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Roy Heatherly, led the conversation, addressing important topics such as the construction timeline and the city's support for Meta's project. The impact of the Meta Data Center on Richland Parish and Northeast Louisiana was a key point of discussion, with Katie Comer, head of data center community development for Meta, expressing excitement about the connectivity the center will bring to the region.
Anticipated Impact
The Meta Data Center is projected to create over 5,000 construction jobs and 500 permanent positions, in addition to making a significant $10 billion investment in the area. The collaborative efforts between Meta and local partners are expected to benefit not only Richland Parish but the entire Northeast Louisiana community.
Awards and Recognition
As part of the event, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce presented the Kitty Degree Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in Business and the Rambin Silverstein Memorial Civic Award. The deserving winners of these prestigious awards were acknowledged and celebrated for their contributions to the community.
Congratulations to all the winners of the awards!
