For a town founded in a region that was once called "No Man's Land," DeRidder sure was welcoming. No Man's Land described the neutral area between Texas and Louisiana belonging neither to Spain nor the United States after the Louisiana Purchase, when the two countries disagreed on the boundary. Far from isolated or desolate, the town of about 10,000 located in Southwest Louisiana near the Texas border emits an aura of connectedness and vibrancy. To be sure, the town has its share of economic challenges, yet the spirit of resiliency that shaped DeRidder's history is certain to be its future as well.
As I approached DeRidder in my car, the landscape was striking and somehow familiar, even though this was my first visit to the area. It resembled southern Georgia or Alabama: the occasional water tower to greet you, hamlets you wish you had time to visit, and pines as far as the horizon, accompanied by the seemingly accidental hardwoods shouting for attention with their fall colors.
My visit in early November—as part of the Atlanta Fed's mission to engage directly with the people we serve—included talks with local community and civic groups as well as a roundtable discussion hosted by the local chamber of commerce. Why DeRidder? The Atlanta Fed engages with smaller towns and rural areas to ensure that these important voices are incorporated into our understanding of the regional economy. (The Atlanta Fed is responsible for the Sixth Federal Reserve District, which includes Alabama, Florida, and Georgia and parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.) DeRidder is also home to Janelle Frost, past member and chair of our New Orleans Branch's board of directors. Jannelle is CEO of AMERISAFE, a provider of specialty workers' compensation insurance. When we described our efforts to spend time in smaller towns, she championed a visit to DeRidder.
"You will not be a stranger for long in DeRidder'" Janelle said. "Whether you are just passing through or have generational roots here, you will find a friendly face in DeRidder, a place that prides itself on community."
Railroads and natural resources
Like many small cities in the Southeast, the railroad that runs through the center of town speaks to its history. Originally settled in the late 1800s by track layers working to connect Kansas City with Port Arthur, DeRidder was incorporated in 1903. Ella de Ridder, the sister-in-law of the Dutch railroad financier who was behind the project, is the town's namesake. The town grew quickly, driven in large part by the longleaf pine industry that produced lumber and many byproducts like resins, which remain central to the area's manufacturing industry. It also serves as the seat of Beauregard Parish.
Spain and the United States eventually agreed on the Louisiana-Texas border, well before the railroad was established. But the region had by then developed a reputation of being a tough, remote place, attracting only the hardiest pioneers and occasional vagabonds. Some of that independent and hardened spirit remains today, but over the years, it's been softened with an openness and connection that makes visitors feel not only welcome, but also part of the community.
Local businesses contribute to community events downtown. I thought that
the AMERISAFE scarecrow, which was part of the town's Halloween
festivities, was a friendly local helping me find a parking space!
I sensed that openness and connection as soon as I got to town. Dropping by the Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce, where I would be hearing from business and community leaders the following day, I met Lisa Adams, the chamber's executive director, and executive assistant Stephanie Carroll. A quick hello turned into a conversation about the town, its people, and its future. Both were busy planning multiple business and community events, but they dropped what they were doing to welcome me.
The railroad runs through downtown DeRidder. Rail played a big part in the
town's early development.
"People here are loyal—loyal to the town and loyal to their employer. I think that makes DeRidder so special." Lisa said. "The interest in our community events is growing. People want to be a part of what's happening here."
As if on cue, a gentleman walked in during our chat to inquire about the upcoming holiday festivities. "We'll have all that posted soon. Drop by next week and I'll have the whole schedule done." Lisa and Stephanie seem to have a knack for making everyone feel like they are special.
Looking forward with an eye to the past
All the small towns I've visited have historic buildings, and most are occupied. The chamber, for example, is housed in the old City Drug Store, and a recent renovation led to the discovery of a mosaic that now welcomes visitors as they enter. One of Lisa's many projects is placing plaques on historic buildings that tell a story—when they were built and who has occupied them—a very special touch, especially for history nerds like me.
The historic plaque at the entrance to the Greater Beauregard Chamber of
Commerce greets visitors. DeRidder residents believe that embracing the town's
history is key to building the future. (Yes, those are my well-worn shoes in
the photo!)
I had two other encounters when I first got to town that solidified my view that DeRidder was an exceptional place, one during a visit to the DeRidder USO/War Memorial Civic Center and the other at the Beauregard Museum. The former place is the first off-base USO center in the United States, built to serve World War II soldiers training in nearby Fort Polk and since renamed Fort Johnson. In addition to hosting an amazing collection of artifacts, the center puts on community events. During my visit, the civic center held an event to honor the town's veterans. It was a gift to chat with some of them before the ceremony.
DeRidder residents are proud of their support of our heroic service men and
women.
The Beauregard Museum, located in the historic train depot, has artifacts from city and parish history. This is where I met Elona Weston, the museum's director. Like Lisa, she dropped what she was doing to welcome me and answer my questions. Also like Lisa, she gave her immediate attention to a resident from a nearby town who came in to ask about the Lois Loftin Doll Museum, which is in the nearby Beauregard Parish Welcome Center. (It's an incredible collection, by the way—more than 3,000 dolls on display!)
The museum posts regular blogs about the area's history and has a calendar full of cultural events from bluegrass jams to children's events. Elona told me about a unique town project that involves building an oral history by recording thoughts and memories of the parish's longtime residents.
DeRidder's economic story is one of resilience
Something that business and community leaders shared with me was their belief that economic activity was already slowing. Home improvement firms noted a slowdown, and people in real estate said home sales and new construction were off. Energy exploration offers some opportunity, some noted, but in a region that focuses on fossil fuels, the long-term outlook is uncertain.
DeRidder was once part of an isolated no man's land, but business and community leaders today recognize they are part of a global community, where independence and isolation no longer serve the town's best interests. The economic opportunities of tomorrow's generation will be guided by decisions these leaders make today, and everyone in DeRidder is keenly aware of this responsibility.
The ample pine forests that have always surrounded the town remain a centerpiece of the local economy, but the industry doesn't employ nearly as many people as in the past. Sawmills and paper production are present, but the town was reeling when I arrived from the recent announcement that Ingevity Corporation would be closing its DeRidder manufacturing complex, which used pine byproducts from paper manufacturing to create industrial materials. Close to 200 jobs will be lost. This might not sound so large in a town of 10,000, but the loss of these positions will have a significant impact on local housing, retail, health care, and education.
Understanding and accepting the past is key to unlocking the future. The
museum was being renovated when I took this photo.
As Janelle said, "DeRidder is not immune to economic downturn. Mike's visit coincided with an announcement of a manufacturing facility closure, the second such announcement in a year's time. Jobs lost will be mostly well-paying skilled labor jobs that are difficult to replace in DeRidder, thus forcing families to consider employment with a two-plus-hour commute, or relocation. In addition, there is the ripple effect to our education and health care systems, and the housing market. For a family-oriented community like ours, the power to educate and employ our residents and their children is a primary focus."
Ingevity has also been a leading contributor to local charities, so the effect on those agencies' ability to meet the needs of the community will be immediate. The announcement comes on the heels of the closing of a plastics plant earlier in the year, so the town's history of resilience is certainly being put to the test.
The Fed listens
The Federal Reserve's ability to achieve its mission depends on the support of the people we serve. Getting out into these communities is critical to understanding how our policy decisions are affecting people's lives. Visiting places like DeRidder, learning about their past, understanding their present circumstances, and thinking about their future is how we will achieve this mission.
As a former Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta director, Janelle has seen firsthand how the Bank weaves what it learns through its outreach efforts into the policymaking process. About my recent visit, she said, "It was a privilege to welcome Mike to DeRidder. We appreciated the opportunity to be heard and the Bank's eagerness to understand from our business leaders what is important to our region's economy."
Mike Chriszt
Atlanta Fed's vice president for regional outreach