Mission statement
The Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD) and its programs benefit the public as a whole as well as those who directly use the services. By definition, the programs offered by the Office of Economic & Workforce Development will have a public benefit, or they shall not be undertaken. The greater the public benefit, the lower the percentage of cost recovery to the public.

It is also the mission of the Office of Economic & Workforce Development to provide a working environment for all of its employees and its visitors that will encourage the following:

1. Respect and safeguard the dignity and rights of all individuals
2. Demonstrate respect toward the people we serve and one another
3. Carefully select and maintain a well-trained, educated, and professional staff
4. Accept individual responsibility and accountability for our actions

Background information
OEWD has held an exemplary track record for over thirty years of hands-on and administrative experience providing quality services through such programs as CETA, JTPA, School-to-Work, Adult Literacy, Welfare to Work, Food Stamp Employment and Training, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families STEP, YouthBuild and Workforce Investment Act services. OEWD staff provides administrative, technical and fiscal support to the Rapides Parish Police Jury as grant recipient for Workforce Investment Act funds and to the Rapides Parish Workforce Investment Board for our local Workforce Investment Area #61.

Additional information
Our office works to maximize Rapides Parish’s potential as a thriving hub for businesses, jobs and economic opportunity for all of our citizens. We are committed to assisting the Rapides Parish Police Jury, our fellow Police Jury departments and other business or agency partners in supporting economic development that is financially, environmentally and socially sustainable. To achieve these ends, we strive to be innovative and action-oriented, and work effectively with our partners to ensure maximum impact.

Office hours and contact information
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Mondays through Fridays
Location: 5608 Coliseum Blvd.
Alexandria, Louisiana 71303
Phone: 318-448-1591
Fax: 318-442-7834
Contact person: Kay Smith, Director