Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance Receives $10,000 Grant from Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund to Support 2025 Work Natchitoches Summit

Grant to Enhance Workforce Development Initiatives at 2025 Work Natchitoches Summit, Driving Economic Growth and Job Creation in Natchitoches Parish.

Natchitoches, LA, October 3, 2024:  The Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance (NEDA) is thrilled to announce the receipt of a $10,000 grant from the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund to support the 2025 Work Natchitoches Summit, a cornerstone event that fosters workforce development and strengthens connections between local students, job seekers, and employers in Natchitoches Parish.

This grant will be instrumental in supporting NEDA’s ongoing workforce initiatives, including the expansion of the Work Natchitoches Summit, which brings together over 450 local 8th, 11th, and 12th graders, collegiate students, and community members to engage with regional employers. The Summit includes a soft skills and workforce pipeline seminar tailored to the parish’s three largest employment sectors: manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality/tourism.

Laura Lyles, NEDA’s Executive Director, expressed her gratitude for the grant and highlighted the positive impact it will have on the community: “This generous grant from the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund enables us to expand the Work Natchitoches Summit and our broader workforce initiatives. From preparing students and job seekers for careers in key industries to addressing workforce housing and transportation, this funding will help us create a more connected and sustainable local economy. NEDA will continue to lead these efforts, ensuring that Natchitoches remains a vibrant place to live and work.”

The Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund plays a significant role in supporting community initiatives across the country. “In both rural and urban settings, the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund supports hundreds of important organizations and programs in the communities where they operate with funding, time, expertise, and resources. Weyerhaeuser made its first charitable donation in 1903 and has provided more than $266 million in grants through its formal giving program, which was established in 1948.”

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. The company owns or controls approximately 10.5 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. and manages additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. Weyerhaeuser manages these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards and is one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in North America. As a real estate investment trust, Weyerhaeuser generated $7.7 billion in net sales in 2023 and employs approximately 9,300 people serving customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WY. Learn more at www.weyerhaeuser.com.

The Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance (NEDA), through a management agreement with the Chamber, provides leadership and support for economic development and workforce solutions in and around Natchitoches Parish. NEDA is committed to its mission to champion investment, maximize potential, and cultivate growth in Natchitoches Parish.

The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce helps foster a thriving community through transformative leadership, collaboration, and innovation. The Chamber is committed to championing business, connecting community, and cultivating growth in Natchitoches Parish.