Central Louisiana – affectionately referred to by locals as “CenLA” – balances outdoor adventure with small city amenities. Local attractions include Kisatchie National Forest, Toledo Bend Lake, and The Arts Council of Central Louisiana. CenLA’s wildlife and outdoor recreation - from hiking and biking, to, fishing and golfing - appeal to people at all skill levels. In the heart of CenLA are the neighboring cities of Alexandria and Pineville which are a reasonable commute to Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Enjoy Louisiana’s renowned unique food, music and festivities in a tropical summer and mild winter climate.
Pineville, the home of Cleco's corporate office, is recognized as a safe, family-friendly city where southern hospitality abounds and family values are honored making it a great place to raise kids. Forbes magazine recognized Alexandria for its low cost of living and low tax obligation. CenLA has strong K-12 schools and is home to two universities – Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA), a four-year public institution under the LSU System with a broad spectrum of affordable undergraduate degrees, and Louisiana Christian University, a private liberal arts and sciences institution. It’s also home to Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC), a technical and community college, which has been trained the CenLA workforce since the 1930s. It is headquartered in downtown Alexandria in a new state-of-the-art facility sponsored by Cleco.
When it comes to business, CenLA’s other major local industries include wood products building materials and consumer products manufacturing. Because we are located in the heart of central Louisiana, Cleco’s near-term strategy focuses on the development of a Louisiana “Clean Energy Corridor” — a series of clean energy properties for decarbonization and renewables uniquely located and situated in our operating service territory.
Why fight the traffic and other lifestyle challenges of the big cities, when you can live and work in an welcoming and accessible community? No matter your stage of life, CenLA has something for everyone. To learn more about CenLA, visit the Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce.
