Loren's Scott's 2023-2024 Louisiana Economic Forecast projects that the Lake Area will be "the fastest growing MSA in the state over the next two years, with employment bumps of 2,600 jobs (+2.6%) in 2023 and 4,600 jobs in 2024 (+4.4%). This excellent recovery will come from four key sources: (1) basic COVID/disaster recovery, (2) new industrial construction, (3) a newly opened land-based casino, and (4) new activity at Chennault Airport."
For years, Loren C. Scott, Professor Emeritus in Economics at Louisiana State University, has been considered the go-to economist for this region and beyond.
Scott's Annual Louisiana Economic Forecast is quoted extensively.