В юго-западной Луизиане 18 тысяч человек не участвуют в рабочей силе

Study finds 18,000 in Southwest Louisiana not participating in workforce LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A study by the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance found that about 18,000 people in the region are not actively engaged in the workforce. According to the study, about 54% of people in the region are considered active participants in the workforce, which includes people who are unemployed and actively seeking jobs. The other 46%, accounting for roughly 18,000 people, are unaccounted for. Workforce participation rate Scott Walker, president and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, said the region’s workforce participation rate lags behind the state and the nation. “Our workforce participation rate lags the state by three points and the nation by nine points. We have less people working in the workforce or actively pursuing work in the workforce than other parts of the state and the U.S.,” Walker said. Through its strategic plan, the economic alliance has identified the effect of the low participation rate, but is seeking input on the cause. Resident reactions Residents gave differing views on why some people are not working. “It’s just too easy for people to not work and stay home and live off the government really,” said Kayla Hardey, a resident. “It’s just laziness, people not wanting to work, now they can sit home and get a check for free,” said Marquezz Leday, a resident. “It has a lot to do with the pay rates, why work a job that you’re spending all your time at to not be able to pay your bills,” said Ariyan Alfred, a resident. Brionne Leday, a resident, said the job market does not meet the needs of a growing population. “I would say no. Simply because Lake Charles is very small and so I feel like if you are not pursuing a degree or a career in the medical field, then outside of that it’s going to be hard finding a job,” Brionne Leday said. Walker said his goal is to let people know what jobs are available as new companies continue to come to the region. “The prime question when a company is looking to expand in a region is, can I get the workforce that I need for this project to succeed? And we want to be able to answer that,” Walker said. The rest of the findings from the Economic Development Alliance’s strategic plan are available here. Copyright 2026 KPLC. All rights reserved.