There was a time, not long ago, when our relationship with Fort Polk had started to deteriorate. And that wasn’t because of them. It was because of a lack of participation and engagement from our city leadership.

That should never happen again.

Fort Polk is the largest employer in Louisiana. Thousands of soldiers and families rotate through our region. $17 billion in military activity annually. When they arrive, they should immediately know one thing:

DeRidder is here for you.

That means:

• Making sure soldiers know we have off-post housing available

• Promoting our local shopping and small businesses

• Inviting families to our festivals, parks, youth sports, and community events

• Promoting our labor force to make sure they know we are here to support THEIR growth

• Showing up consistently, not just when cameras are around

Real partnerships aren’t built in a single meeting. They’re built through constant communication, collaboration, and follow-through.

I’m proud to serve on the board of Fort Polk Progress, a proactive nonprofit that works to ensure Washington, D.C. understands the value and mission of Fort Polk. Through that work, I’ve gained deeper insight into what the installation offers — and just how much opportunity exists when local governments stay engaged and unified.

The possibilities are endless when:

• The city communicates regularly with installation leadership

• We coordinate with surrounding towns and parishes

• We present a united regional front of support

Strong relationships protect jobs. They protect economic stability. And they position DeRidder for long-term growth.

This isn’t theory.
I’ve been doing the work.
And I’ll continue doing it.