New regional economic development chief outlines plan to build workforce and collaboration

Scott Walker, president and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, told the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury on June 5 that he plans to build a regional economic development strategy focused on talent, quality of life and collaboration.

Walker, who said his first day on the job was Feb. 10, told jurors he and his staff are moving to strengthen the alliance’s organization, expand staff capacity and create a strategic plan with outside consulting help. “We’re an exceptional and dedicated team of professionals that work with a coalition of businesses, industry, public entities, nonprofit organizations to make Southwest Louisiana a better place to live and work,” Walker said.

The alliance has contracted Emergent Method, which Walker said is the firm the state recommended, to lead a strategic planning process kicked off in May. Walker said stakeholder engagement will begin in June and July and that the process will include businesses, cities, ports, parish governments and the public. “We’re kicking that off. Stakeholder engagement starts at the June and in July,” Walker said.

Walker framed the work around what he described as a statewide economic plan released by Louisiana and five pillars including ease of doing business, high-wage employment and growing asset industries. He said winning regions invest in quality-of-life projects, organize for collaboration, focus on customer service for businesses and continuously improve. “Great talent attracts great companies,” Walker said. “Great companies go where great talent is. It’s all underpinned by quality of life.”

Juror Dane Boland introduced Walker and said he had met Walker several times since Walker relocated from Indiana. Police Jury President Barris and other jurors welcomed Walker’s emphasis on partnership. “We can’t wait to collaborate and help in any way we can,” Barris said.

Walker reviewed parts of his professional background — including prior economic development work in Michigan and Indiana — and said his priorities include building staff capacity, revising board structure and producing a regional economic development strategy so the area can compete for investment.

The presentation included a brief discussion of demographic challenges: Walker noted population loss in Louisiana and said regions that invest in schools, parks and community facilities become more competitive for talent and business attraction. He urged jurors to support local infrastructure and quality-of-life investments as part of the region’s competitiveness goals.

The Police Jury offered general support and no formal action was required for Walker’s presentation. Walker said he would follow up with meetings and stakeholder engagement opportunities as the strategic plan moves forward.