The buzz throughout Bogalusa has been almost palpable for the past year since Mayor Charles Mizell and the sitting City Council brought a new enthusiasm and determination to revitalize the city and improve its prospects.

But the road to change is best traversed with a map, and now a plan is ready for approval.

After months of in-depth, fast-paced work by local volunteers in various fields of interest and with state guidance, Bogalusa’s Louisiana Development Ready Communities strategic plan for economic development was presented to the public during a Town Hall meeting at the Senior Center Tuesday. It will be presented for adoption at the Jan. 17 City Council meeting.

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The plan covers eight areas of focus: Economic Development, Marketing and Communications, Infrastructure, Beautification/ Blight, Recreation, Leadership Development, Education and Workforce, and Social Services.

More than simply describing the current conditions and stating goals, the plan comes with strategic actions and timetables, and everyone is tapped to get involved in specific ways.

The city and all its departments, local businesses and education providers, resource groups throughout the state, as well as all Bogalusa organizations and individuals are called upon to help improve the quality of life for everybody, if only by keeping their properties and the streets of the city clean or by tutoring a child.

Each area of focus reports one to five primary goals, offers an action plan and timeline and names the organizations that will be responsible for implementation of each.

The Economic Development goals are:

1. Bogalusa’s retail districts are well kept, safe and provide a positive shopping experience

2. Bogalusa has a healthcare economic development district that attracts new investment, creates and retains jobs and provides public roadway enhancements

3. New business prospects and existing businesses are provided a full array of assistance and will find it easy to do business with and in the City of Bogalusa.

Highlights include the possible creation of a business incubator in the parish as well as the creation of a Healthcare District and the appointment of a board or commission to help plan and market it, with the city as well as state legislators listed as the responsible organizations.

The Marketing and Communications goals are:

1. To create and communicate an economic development identity/image for Bogalusa.

2. To establish a coordinated method of communicating with key internal and external stakeholders to increase knowledge, understanding and support.

3. To have Bogalusa seen as a good place for business, industry and residents.

Highlights include creating a  brand, slogan, logo and marketing image for the economic development initiative, setting up an economic development task force and establishing a one-stop shop for new business inquiries.

The Infrastructure goals are:

1. Bogalusa has a roadway into the Industrial Park that is suitable for large truck traffic and appropriate signage directing traffic to the Industrial Park.  Develop plan for railroad repair to proceed when requested by a tenant.

2. Bogalusa has a nationally recognized hotel with meeting room capacity.

3. Bogalusa has an effective Planning and Zoning Commission.

4. Bogalusa’s airport is a regional hub and an economic development asset.

Highlights include the development of a master plan for land use and having a nationally recognized hotel open for business by December 2012.

The Beautification/ Blight goals are:

1. Bogalusa’s blighted properties are eliminated.

2. Bogalusa’s entrances and thoroughfares reflect a welcoming, well-kept city.

3. Residences and businesses are well maintained and attractive.

Highlights include reducing and returning to commerce the number of blighted properties in the city by 25 percent within two years, by 50 percent within three years and by 75 percent within five years.

The Recreation goals are:

1. Cassidy Park Master Plan is completed.

2. Bogalusa has a Community Events Center which can be used to attract business and community events.

3. Bogalusa has a variety of entertainment and recreation opportunities for all ages.

4. Bogalusa has a water recreation area developed on the Pearl River.

Highlights include partnering with Washington Parish government to complete and open a water recreation area on the Pearl River within three years; to have a community events center open in Bogalusa within five years; and to have Phase One of the Cassidy Park master plan done within 18 months, Phase Two completed within three years and the entire project finished within five years.

The Leadership Development goal is:

1. Establish a leadership development training class to recruit and develop leaders for city government and industry.

Highlights include establishing a program within one month of acceptance of the strategic development plan.

The Education and Workforce goals are:

1.Northshore Technical Community College increases opportunities for student access and success.   

2. Bogalusa City School System will improve student achievement, attendance and dropout rates.

3. Washington Parish Economic Development will attract businesses that positively benefit our community and citizens and facilitate the expansion of existing businesses.

Highlights include providing after school interventions for the  Bogalusa City school system as well as participating in proven programs for improvements.

The Social Services goal is:

1.  Gather contact information on the social service agencies, catalog them and make them known and available to the community. 

Highlights include disseminating information via the faith-based community and establishing a single point of contact in City Hall.

For more on the plan, see the Friday Daily News.