Central Louisiana has become known as "The Crossroads," a place where all of Louisiana comes together - from culture to food and music. With a population of over 46,342, Alexandria continues to grow in every sector of our society.
Today, the city and the area have changed. Cleco, Procter and Gamble, International Paper, Dresser Valve Works are just a few of the large corporations that have chosen to call Central Louisiana home.
Education
Colleges and universities
Situated south of the city, Louisiana State University at Alexandria (or LSUA) is a regional campus of the state's flagship university system, Louisiana State University. Founded in 1906, Louisiana College (or LC) is a private, Baptist coeducational college of liberal arts and sciences with selected professional programs. Built upon the principles of character and learning, the College has a tradition of outstanding academics and is the only Baptist, four-year institution in Louisiana.
High Schools
Alexandria has three public high schools: Bolton High School, Alexandria Senior High School, and Peabody Magnet High School. In addition, there are two private high schools: Holy Savior Menard Central High School (a Catholic school) and Grace Christian.
Economy
Alexandria's native workforce consists of about 55,000 residents. Union Tank Car Company has recently located a plant northwest of Alexandria near the airport creating hundreds of jobs. Expansions at the Procter & Gamble plant and the construction of a PlastiPak plant in nearby Pineville have also created a number of new jobs for the area.
In 2007, Inc. Magazine rated Alexandria as the 77th best place in which to conduct business out of the 393 U.S. cities ranked, a significant increase from its ranking as No. 276 in 2006. Out of other Louisiana cities, Alexandria ranked second, following only Baton Rouge, which ranked 59th nationally.
Central Louisianas work in several industrial sectors, with the largest being education, health and social services, followed by retail. Closely trailing behind retail are construction, manufacturing, public adminstration and the arts, entertainment, recreation and hospitality sector. Timber and Forestry products remain the #1 crop for this area. Cotton, Sugar Cane, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, and Soy Beans are also being farmed.
Military
Louisiana National Guard: Alexandria is home to the 199th Support Battalion, the logistical component of the 256th Infantry Brigade that served in Iraq in 2004-5. The 199th Support Battalion has most of the transportation and maintenance assets that keep the 256th Brigade operational. The home of the 199th is Camp Beauregard in Pineville. Former bases operated by the National Guard include Camp Livingston to the north and east of Ball and Camp Claiborne.
Alexandria International Airport
Alexandria International Airport (AEX) is one of only two international airports in Louisiana. In 2006 a new-state-of-the-art passenger terminal was dedicated. Alexandria is served by American, Continental, Delta and Northwest Airlines. Additionally, numerous international charter airlines use the airport in the transport of military personnel attached to the United States Army base at Fort Polk.
Port of Alexandria
In the early 1800s, the Port of Alexandria brought goods to the area and shipped cotton and other local products to the rest of the country. Today, Port facilities include: a 40-ton crane for off-loading, a 15,000 square foot warehouse, 13,600-ton bulk fertilizer warehouse, a 3,400-ton bulk fertilizer dome structure and a 5,000-ton dome which was added in January 2005. Today's modern facilities and the Port's central location with its connection to the Mississippi River provide excellent opportunities for importers and exporters.
Healthcare
Alexandria is home to two major hospitals: Rapides Regional (located downtown) and Christus St. Frances Cabrini (located at the corner of Masonic Drive and Texas Avenue). Both of these hospitals are in the process of expansion.
Neighborhoods
Downtown Alexandria is currently in the process of revitalization. During the past five years, several bars, cafes, and restaurants have opened their doors, including the historical Hotel Bentley.
Central Alexandria
Bounded by MacArthur Dr., Masonic Dr., Mason St., Alexandria-Pineville Expressway, and the Red River, this neighborhood includes: Downtown, West End, Poplar Grove, Hillcrest, Kent Addition, Petrus Heights, Mimosa Place, Shirley Park, City Park area (Bringhurst Field and Alexandria Zoo) and the Garden District. The Garden District contains many large historical homes, in a variety of architectural styles from bungalows to mansions. This area has seen a number of renovations over the past few years, homeowners are attracted to the beautiful homes and brick roads.
Northwestern Alexandria
The area north of Hwy 28 West and MacArthur Dr. and south of the Red River is made up of: Sycamore Place, Wooddale Park, North Park Village, Kellyland, Walnut Grove, England Airpark, Rue Left Bank, Bonaire, Grundy Cooper, Parish Coliseum, Cloverdale, Westwind and St. Andrew's Links Estates, this subdivision is being developed around the golf course Links on the Bayou.
Western Alexandria
Western Alexandria is the area south of Hwy 28 West, west of MacArthur Dr., and north of Versailles Blvd. and Metro Dr, here you'll find: Briarwood, L. E. Deselle, Castle Village, Wilshire Park, Hunter's Grove, Highpoint, The Centre (commercial development), Charles Park (large development of upscale homes built from the 1960s-80s) and The Lakes District, a subdivision under development that contains small lakes and long walking trails and is bounded by a nature preserve.
Southwestern Alexandria
The area west of Masonic Dr. and south of Versailles Blvd. and Metro Dr. include: Plantation Acres, Clermont Estates, Fairfield, Good Earth, Lebanon, Cherokee Village (tree-shaded neighborhood of large older homes), Four Leaf Village, West Pointe on the Bayou (large upper-middle class neighborhood under development since the early 1990s, adjacent to Bayou Roberts), Bocage, Crossgates (gated community of patio homes), Landmark (one of Alexandria's most affluent subdivisions) and Tennyson Oaks (upper class neighborhood being developed next to Landmark adjacent to Bayou Roberts).
Southern Alexandria
Located east of Masonic Dr. and south of MacArthur Dr. are: Courtland Plac
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