Shreveport, Louisiana Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Economy== [[File:Shreveport September 2015 026 (Regions Tower).jpg|thumb|right|[[Regions Tower]], the tallest building in downtown Shreveport|330x330px]] [[File:Schumpert Hospital, Shreveport, LA IMG 1576.JPG|thumb|right|Health care is a major industry in Shreveport; Christus Schumpert Medical Center is the secondary leading cancer-treatment facility in the South, behind Willis Knighton.]] [[File:Shreveport September 2015 050 (Shreveport Convention Center).jpg|thumb|right|The Shreveport Convention Center]] Shreveport was formerly a major player in United States oil business, and once hosted a branch office of [[Standard Oil]] aka [[Standard Oil of Louisiana]]. The Louisiana branch was later absorbed by [[Standard Oil of New Jersey]]. Beginning in 1930, [[United Gas Corporation]], the nation's busiest pipeline operator and massive integrated oil company, was headquartered in Shreveport. [[Pennzoil]] performed a [[hostile takeover]] in 1968, and forced a merger. In the 1980s, the oil and gas industry suffered a large economic downturn. This severely affected the regional economy, and many companies cut back jobs or went out of business, including a large retail shopping mall (South Park Mall) which closed in the late 1990s. The mall's major facilities were later adapted for use by Summer Grove Baptist Church. Shreveport's economy entered a major economic recession, and many residents left the area. At one time, Shreveport was home to numerous manufacturers, including [[Shreveport Operations]], a [[General Motors]] plant that permanently closed in August 2012. The plant produced the [[Chevrolet Colorado]], [[GMC Canyon]], Hummer H3 series, and the [[Isuzu i-Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120828/AUTO0103/208280442 |title=GM's Shreveport Plant Closes |date=August 28, 2012 |work=Detroit News |access-date=2012-09-05 }}{{dead link|date=September 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In January 2013, the plant was leased from Caddo Parish by [[Elio Motors]].<ref name="Klayman">{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trust-formergmplant-idUSBRE9020M420130103| title=Maker of high-mileage 3-wheel vehicles leases former GM plant| last=Klayman| first=Ben| date=January 3, 2013| work=[[Reuters]]| publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]]| access-date=January 3, 2013| location=Detroit| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104014805/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/03/us-trust-formergmplant-idUSBRE9020M420130103| archive-date=January 4, 2013| url-status=live}}</ref> However, Elio Motors never went into production at the Shreveport plant. In addition to GM, other notable large companies that have had or still have Shreveport manufacturing/assembly or production facilities or operations include: [[General Electric]] (electric transformer production), [[Western Electric]] (payphone manufacturing, approximately 7,500 employees at its peak, changed ownership through the years but closed in 2001)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/former-avaya-att-facility-gets-new-life-as-mansfield-warehouse/article_0ecc9706-b9d5-11e7-887f-338fd6d3076e.html|title=Former Avaya/ATT facility gets new life as Mansfield Warehouse, welcomes new tenant|website=KTBS|date=October 25, 2017 |access-date=October 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026052634/https://www.ktbs.com/news/former-avaya-att-facility-gets-new-life-as-mansfield-warehouse/article_0ecc9706-b9d5-11e7-887f-338fd6d3076e.html|archive-date=October 26, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[UOP LLC|Honeywell UOP]], [[Libbey-Owens-Ford]], [[Poulan|Beaird-Poulan]] (the originator of and, for decades, the only manufacturer of the single-operator [[chainsaw]] in the world),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.poulanpro.com/us/support/company-history/|title=Company History|website=Poulan Pro}}</ref> [[Calumet Specialty Products Partners]] (originally [[United Gas Corporation]]'s Atlas Processing Unit and then [[Pennzoil]]), and Frymaster, LLC (a subsidiary of [[The Manitowoc Company]]). Today, only Calumet Packaging and Honeywell UOP survive as a large manufacturing employer in Shreveport. By 2017, manufacturing and other goods-producing (e.g. petrochemical refining) jobs accounted for just 5% of Shreveport occupations, compared to 8% for the nationwide percentage of the workforce involved in manufacturing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bestplaces.net/economy/city/louisiana/shreveport|title=Shreveport, Louisiana Economy|website=Bestplaces.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006000616/https://www.bestplaces.net/economy/city/louisiana/shreveport|archive-date=October 6, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/employment-by-major-industry-sector.htm|title=Employment by major industry sector : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|website=Bls.gov|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011003632/https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/employment-by-major-industry-sector.htm|archive-date=October 11, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Shreveport has since largely transitioned to a service economy. In particular, there has been rapid growth in the gaming industry. The city hosts various riverboat gambling [[casino]]s, and, before [[Hurricane Katrina]] in 2005, was second only to [[New Orleans]] in Louisiana tourism. Nearby [[Bossier City]] is home to one of the three horse racetracks in the state, [[Louisiana Downs]]. Casinos in Shreveport-Bossier include [[Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Shreveport|Sam's Town]], [[Bally's Shreveport|Bally's]], [[Horseshoe Bossier City|Horseshoe]], [[Boomtown Bossier City|Boomtown]], and [[Margaritaville Resort Casino|Margaritaville]]. Diamond Jacks Casino (formerly Isle of Capri) closed in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bossier City casino, hotel closes doors permanently|url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/bossier-city-casino-hotel-closes-doors-permanently/article_3ce5639e-96d6-11ea-8684-1bafc9356d9c.html|website=KTBS|date=May 15, 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-05-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bossier City loses $1.5 million in tax revenue due to DiamondJacks Casino closing|url=https://www.ksla.com/2020/05/15/bossier-city-loses-million-tax-revenue-due-diamondjacks-casino-closing/|website=KSLA 12|date=May 16, 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-16}}</ref> The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau is the official tourism information agency for the region. The bureau maintains a comprehensive database of restaurants, accommodations, attractions, and events. In May 2005, the [[Louisiana Boardwalk]], a {{convert|550000|sqft|adj=on}} shopping and entertainment complex, opened in Bossier City across from Shreveport's downtown. It features outlet shopping, several restaurants, a 14‑screen movie theater, a bowling complex, and [[Bass Pro Shops]]. A {{convert|350000|sqft|adj=on}} convention center was completed in the Shreveport Downtown Riverfront. Managed by [[SMG (property management)|SMG]], it includes an 800-space parking garage. An adjoining Hilton Hotel opened in June 2007. It was constructed by and owned by the city, which has been a controversial issue, and the subject of discussions about use of public funds. In November 2008, development of the [[Haynesville Shale]] area, with new jobs in the natural gas industry were expected to be created over the next few years. Residents in the region have been given large bonuses for signing mineral rights leases up to $25,000 per acre. However, economic downturn had resulted in a lower market price for natural gas and slower-than-expected drilling activity. The city expected to generate revenue by leasing the mineral rights on public lands in the near future as neighboring municipalities had already done. Gambling and hotel industries in Shreveport, [[JPMorgan Chase]], [[Capital One]], and [[Regions Financial Corporation]] have regional offices in Shreveport's downtown and surrounding districts and neighborhoods. AT&T's regional headquarters is located in Downtown Shreveport. [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] and [[John Bel Edwards|Governor Edwards]] announced plans to open a fulfillment center in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Davis|first=Rachael Thomas, Tayler|title=Amazon distribution center reportedly coming to Shreveport|url=https://www.ksla.com/2021/05/06/amazon-distribution-center-reportedly-coming-shreveport/|access-date=2021-05-07|website=KSLA|date=May 7, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Rachael|title=WATCH LIVE: Amazon robotics fulfillment center coming to Shreveport, Gov. Edwards announces|url=https://www.ksla.com/2021/05/06/gov-edwards-make-major-economic-announcement-shreveport-friday/|access-date=2021-05-07|website=KSLA|language=en-US}}</ref> Amazon began construction on the $200 million fulfillment center in 2021 with completion expected by the end of 2022. The fulfillment center was expected to create 1,000 direct jobs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=$200M Shreveport Amazon fulfillment center announced |url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/200m-shreveport-amazon-fulfillment-center-announced/article_561ff4cc-af09-11eb-a0fb-b36042f61225.html |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=KTBS |date=May 7, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, other business investments alongside Amazon during the early 2020s contributed more than $750 million to revitalizing and expanding the municipal and metropolitan economy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Robert J. |title=3 Big Reasons the Shreveport, Bossier Economy is About to Explode |url=https://710keel.com/3-big-reasons-the-shreveport-bossier-economy-is-about-to-explode/ |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=News Radio 710 KEEL |date=December 22, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> By October 2023, Amazon planned to open a second facility in Shreveport.<ref>{{Citation |title=A second Amazon facility is coming to Shreveport |date=2023-10-27 |url=https://www.ksla.com/video/2023/10/27/second-amazon-facility-is-coming-shreveport/ |work=KSLA |access-date=2023-12-14 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Dawson |first1=Daffney |last2=Franklin |first2=Jasmine |date=2023-10-27 |title=Amazon to build 2nd facility in Shreveport |url=https://www.ksla.com/2023/10/27/amazon-build-2nd-facility-shreveport/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=KSLA |language=en}}</ref> In December 2023, the city council approved a lease of Millennium Studios to rapper [[50 Cent]]'s new production company.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=50 Cent Opens G-Unit Films and Television Studio in Louisiana |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/50-cent-opens-g-unit-film-television-studio-louisiana/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=XXL Mag |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=50 Cent 'excited to get started' on G-Unit Studios in Shreveport; city authorizes lease |url=https://www.ktalnews.com/news/top-stories/50-cent-excited-to-get-started-on-production-facility-in-shreveport-council-authorizes-lease/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=KTALnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=City Council aproves Millennium Studios lease to Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson |url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/city-council-aproves-millennium-studios-lease-to-curtis-50-cent-jackson/article_80c6e804-996a-11ee-b73e-cba49cc510af.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=KTBS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=50 Cent Opens G-Unit Films And Television Studio In Louisiana |url=https://www.hot97.com/hot-news/50-cent-opens-g-unit-films-and-television-studio-in-louisiana |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.hot97.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2014, the city government pumped $16.5 million into [[Mall St. Vincent]] in an attempt to attract new customers to the mall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/mall-st-vincent-feels-ripple-effect-as-retailers-struggle-nationwide/article_4e4c096e-7314-11e7-951d-3b3827bc9614.html|title=Mall St. Vincent Still Struggling Despite Facelift|publisher=[[KTBS]] TV|date=July 27, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2017}}</ref> However, by 2021, Auntie Anne's, Gymboree, [[Grimaldi's Pizzeria]], and Sears had closed their Mall St. Vincent operations, leaving Dilliards as the only anchor store.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/mall-st-vincent-still-struggling-despite-facelift/|title=Mall St. Vincent Still Struggling Despite Facelift|publisher=[[KEEL]] Radio|date=July 28, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728161026/http://710keel.com/mall-st-vincent-still-struggling-despite-facelift/|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' magazine ranked Shreveport the "#1 place to start a business" in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2015/04/27/best-cities-start-business/|title=Here Are The Best Cities To Start Your Own Business|work=Fortune|access-date=2018-04-21|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421233401/http://fortune.com/2015/04/27/best-cities-start-business/|archive-date=April 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, Advanced Aero Services planned to open a facility at Shreveport Regional Airport,<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":8" /> while employer Libbey Glass closed its doors for good after 47 years of operation, resulting in the loss of 450 jobs.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ferrell|first=Scott|title=Shreveport's Libbey Glass plant reaches the end with its closure|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/money/business/2020/12/30/shreveports-libbey-glass-plant-say-goodbye/4093248001/|access-date=2023-06-28|website=Shreveport Times|language=en-US}}</ref> On July 31, 2020, the Shreveport Economic Recovery Task Force released a revitalization plan with a primary focus on the downtown area.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|last=Bayliss|first=Deborah|title=Shreveport Economic Recovery Task force releases revitalization plan|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2020/07/31/shreveport-economic-recovery-task-force-unveils-revitalization-plan/5544847002/|access-date=2020-08-29|website=Shreveport Times |date=Jul 31, 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> ===Film industry=== Tax incentives offered by the state government have given Louisiana the third largest film industry in the country, behind California and New York. Louisiana is sometimes called "Hollywood South".<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/118/the-short-shady-history-of-hollywood-south.html |author=Kamenetz, Anya |title=The Short, Shady History of Hollywood South |issue=118 |date=September 2007 |journal=Fast Company |publisher=Mansueto Ventures LLC |access-date=2008-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210062044/http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/118/the-short-shady-history-of-hollywood-south.html |archive-date=December 10, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> A number of films have been made in Shreveport. Facilities include [[sound stage]]s, [[Theatrical property|prop]] rental facilities, the Fairgrounds Complex, and the Louisiana Wave Studio, a computer-controlled outdoor [[wave pool]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.shreveport.la.us/pictures/soundstages.htm |title=Sound Stages/Infrastructure |access-date=2008-10-09 |publisher=City of Shreveport, Louisiana |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617200919/http://www.ci.shreveport.la.us/pictures/soundstages.htm |archive-date=June 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> Selected films shot in Shreveport include: {{div col}} * ''[[The Initiation of Sarah (2006 film)|The Initiation of Sarah]]'' (2006): [[Summer Glau]] * ''[[The Guardian (2006 film)|The Guardian]]'' (2006): [[Ashton Kutcher]] and [[Kevin Costner]] * ''[[Factory Girl (2006 film)|Factory Girl]]'' (2006): [[Sienna Miller]] and [[Guy Pearce]] * ''[[The Great Debaters]]'' (2007): [[Denzel Washington]] * ''[[Mr. Brooks]]'' (2007): [[Kevin Costner]], [[William Hurt]], and [[Demi Moore]] * ''[[Premonition (2007 film)|Premonition]]'' (2007): [[Sandra Bullock]] and [[Julian McMahon]] * ''[[Cleaner (2007 film)|Cleaner]]'' (2007): [[Samuel L. Jackson]] * ''[[The Mist (film)|The Mist]]'' (2007): [[Thomas Jane]], [[Toby Jones]] and [[Marcia Gay Harden]] * ''[[Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins]]'' (2008): [[Martin Lawrence]] and [[Cedric The Entertainer]] * ''[[Soul Men]]'' (2008) [[Samuel L. Jackson]], [[Bernie Mac]] * ''[[Year One (film)|Year One]]'' (2008): [[Jack Black]] and [[Michael Cera]] * ''[[W. (film)|W.]]'' (2008): [[Josh Brolin]], [[Richard Dreyfuss]] and [[James Cromwell]] * ''[[Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay]]'' (2008): [[John Cho]] and [[Kal Penn]] * ''[[I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (film)|I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell]]'' (2009): [[Matt Czuchry]], [[Jesse Bradford]] and [[Geoff Stults]] * ''[[Super (2010 American film)|Super]]'' (2010): [[Elliot Page]], [[Rainn Wilson]] * ''[[Straw Dogs (2011 film)|Straw Dogs]]'' (2011): [[James Marsden]], [[Kate Bosworth]] * ''[[Drive Angry]]'' (2011): [[Nicolas Cage]] * ''[[Trespass (2011 film)|Trespass]]'' (2011): [[Nicolas Cage]] and [[Nicole Kidman]] * ''[[Battle: Los Angeles]]'' (2011): [[Michelle Rodriguez]], [[Bridget Moynahan]] * ''[[The Iceman (film)|The Iceman]]'' (2012): [[Michael Shannon]], [[Winona Ryder]] * ''[[Ain't Them Bodies Saints]]'' (2013): [[Casey Affleck]], [[Rooney Mara]] * ''[[Olympus Has Fallen]]'' (2013): [[Gerard Butler]], [[Aaron Eckhart]], [[Morgan Freeman]] * ''[[Texas Chainsaw 3D]]'' (2013) * ''[[The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014 film)|The Town that Dreaded Sundown]]'' (2014) * ''[[Dark Places (2014 film)|Dark Places]]'' (2015): [[Chloë Grace Moretz]], [[Charlize Theron]] * ''[[I Saw the Light (film)|I Saw the Light]]'' (2015): [[Tom Hiddleston]], [[Elizabeth Olsen]] {{div col end}} Several television series have been shot in Shreveport and the surrounding area, including ''[[The Gates (TV series)|The Gates]]'' (2010), and ''[[Salem (TV series)|Salem]]'' (2014). The [[Louisiana Film Prize]] has spurred the creation of over 200 short films shot in Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana by filmmakers from around the world since its inception in 2012. Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page