In 1978
International Paper Company, a major provider of economic
stability in North Webster Parish, made the painful decision
to close the paper mill and 2,400 jobs vanished into the
ashes of “what was”. The economic impact of losing this
large segment of the employee base and the associated
payroll would be devastating to the area unless a master
plan was soon developed to stand in the gap and create new
growth.
Representatives from the five incorporate areas of North
Webster Parish; Springhill, Shongaloo, Sarepta, Cullen and
Cotton Valley, carefully considered all of the available
options and made a bold decision to establish an industrial
area to provide a foundation for the economic future of the
community.
The forethought of these pioneer individuals in North
Webster Parish Industrial District became a reality on
record, in July of 1978. The State of Louisiana, through
legislative efforts, established the newly formed industrial
district as a duly appointed “Political Subdivision” of the
State, with the power to incur debt and to issue bonds to
encourage industrial enterprise. In August of the same year,
International Paper Company added substance to the
legislation, when the corporate decision was made to donate
100 acres to this newly formed district to be utilized for
an industrial park.
The theme of “build it and they will come” historically has
been successful and continues the trend through today.
Ordinary men with an extraordinary dream worked and
persevered with the dream of building an industrial park in
the midst of the wooded lot. And the players came…..
