Mike Harper for Mayor of DeRidder
Planning for your Brighter Future
Smart Planning for the Future we ALL deserve
Past
I have watched decade by decade our bright students graduate our High Schools only to discover the reality that no plans were made for their adulthood.
A Coca-Cola distributor, a foam canned drink holder manufacturer(Huggers), a department store chain with its corporate office located here(West Bros.) Ice Cream factory(Dixie Maid), a Garment manufacturer and a Book Binding business left DeRidder during my life. Now in 2023, we received notice that 2 longtime Industries have decided to close Operations in DeRidder leaving around 200 Employees searching for new Careers.
Still today, we see 40 and 50 year old locals that have never had the opportunity to find a career that will provide for their later(retirement) years. Most have never been able to buy a home. They will have to rent until they eventually accept living with other family or government housing.
They love this community but never see fulfillment of what they worked all of their lives to achieve.
DeRidder annexed new housing areas and had to provide services when the existing city infrastructure needs major renovation.
Present
I see all too often that families struggle to provide and struggle to stay together as a Family. I see some of our once bright graduates that with or without a college education, find no Family-Supporting work here. This suggests that we give them the choice... Stay here and struggle or go away.
I got Involved!
I was elected to the Parish Government and began the journey of enhancing local lives. I encouraged the Beauregard Tourist Commission to contact KCS Rail to request that the Holiday Express add us to its stop list and in 2004, The Holiday Express made is 1st stop in DeRidder. Later the Tourist Commission created "Miracle on Washington Street" and Partnered with the Beauregard Parish Fair for "The Watermelon Festival".
I have already began forming a plan for our Future to return this area to a more Business ready region. In 2007, I arranged for the E.J. Ourso "Mobile-Classroom" to come to DeRidder and hold Small Business Class to prepare local individuals to start a small business. In 2006, I contacted The Tractor Supply Company to request one of their stores be constructed in this area. This was one of the 1st of their stores to open in Louisiana.
In 2016, the 1100 acre "Mega-Site" for Economic Development at the Beauregard Airport was officially recognized (a program that started in 2004). the Federal Economic Development Administration informed us (at an IMCAL meeting) that no applications had been received from DeRidder or Beauregard Parish since 1997. We have current projects to propose for funding.
In 2017, the Beauregard Chamber of Commerce, received funding to begin "Career Training" local career seekers.
In 2020 (as President of the Beauregard Parish Police Jury), I arranged meetings with Governor Edwards to assist us in attracting new Industry (Family Supporting careers) to Beauregard Parish. As results of those meetings, INTERFOR restarted a previously closed mill in Beauregard Parish and a new development (CANFOR) was brought to Beauregard Parish (all Family Supporting careers for 2021 & 2022).
After attending many IMCAL meetings and dozens of conversations, Beauregard Parish and the City of DeRidder agreed to return to full membership status with the Region In February of 2018, IMCAL agreed to change its name to Southwest Louisiana Regional Planning Commission of SouthwestLouisiana to better represent the entire region unfortunantly, the City of DeRidder decided to discontinue it's membership after not attending meetings for more than 2 years. In 2022, I was elected to be the 2023 Chairman of the Board of the Regional Planning Commission of Southwest Louisiana.
Future
I have already started the process of becoming a Certified Economic Developer and as a Parish Official(or your Mayor), I will better understand the needs and attraction that potential job creators will be most attracted to. With jobs creation, we will have natural revenue to the local economy and as a result, people will be less dependent on social programs allowing those programs to have the ability to better assist others.
As "Family-Supporting" careers are nurtured, we should have stronger family bonds and more community related success.
Transportation is a concern for our future. We currently have highway 171, 190 and 27 intersect here in DeRidder which adds excess traffic in our city. Some prominent locals say... A by-pass would ruin business. I would ask... if heavy traffic through our city is beneficial...
Why isn't this one of the most successful economies in Louisiana?
We need to seek alternate passage for this "Bulk Traffic" to more efficiently flow with less traffic stoppage.
This is currently being pursued by the Parish Government and the Regional Planning Commission.
I will continue to pursue an "Expressway" and continuation of "Heavy Truck Routes". I will attempt to include "Bike Lanes" and Pedestrian paths in our planning. This will enhance the tourism attractions which brings outside revenue to the area.
About
This site is developed to allow you to consider me as a candidate to be your Mayor.
I currently serve you as an elected official. I am serving you for the second time as a Police Juror(Parish Council member). I attended Northwestern State University, I was appointed to the Resource Advisory Committee for Kisatchie National Forest, a former Executive Committee member of the Beauregard Parish Fair Association, an American Red Cross volunteer(Damage assessment, Emergency Response, Mass Care & Shelter operations).
I serve as the Chairman of the Economic Development Committee and former Chairman of the Ways and Means and Airport Committee of the Beauregard Parish Government. I am a member of the Legislative Committee and represent Beauregard Parish on the IMCAL board.