Louisiana Loses 50,000 Workers During Pandemic: Northern Louisiana Wages Below State Average

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on economies around the world, and Louisiana has not been immune to its effects. A new report from The Louisiana Tech Center for Economic Research shows that the state has lost 50,000 workers since the start of the pandemic, with Northern Louisiana seeing wages that are below the state average. However, despite these challenges, there are ways that business owners and communities can work together to reduce the impact of this downturn.

One piece of advice from Amanda Lyon, the former owner of The Hub in Monroe, is to get involved in the community. "Everything here, everything anywhere, starts with a relationship," she said. "But in order for you to thrive in this town and know how this town works, you've got to be involved." By participating in organizations and events, business owners can put themselves and their businesses in front of others, potentially leading to new connections and opportunities.

Tracy Carter, owner of Jac's Craft Smokehouse and a new business in downtown West Monroe, agrees that community involvement is key. As people leave the area, he said, businesses need to adjust and find new ways to reach potential customers. "It's completely different. It's how we go and reach those people that are still here," he said.

Both Lyon and Carter emphasize the importance of building relationships and supporting the community. By taking the time to get to know people and supporting local activities, business owners can create a sense of loyalty among customers and contribute to the overall growth of the community. "Making sure that you're supporting the community activities," said Carter. "Building a relationship. To continue to sustain what we do have here."

Lyon has also found a way to use her experience to help others. She currently runs a business that focuses on hiring campaigns for other companies, using her knowledge and understanding of the current economic climate to help businesses struggling to find good workers. "And I thought no one knows better on a hiring campaign than myself to see the struggles that we went through and then now offer this to other companies that are struggling," she said.

Despite the challenges facing businesses in Northern Louisiana and beyond, there is hope for a brighter future. By working together and supporting each other, communities can weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side. "It takes a community to support local businesses," said Carter. "You see more local businesses going out of business than you do corporate businesses." By supporting local businesses, we can help them not only survive, but thrive.