The Monroe/West Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Ouachita and Union Parishes, is named Small Market of the Year by Southern Business & Development Magazine. The magazine's 17th annual SB&D 100, released today, ranks the top 100 deals and hot markets of 2010. The national publication covers economic development in southern states and is considered one of the most prestigious economic development journals.

"The Monroe metropolitan area continues to perform at an extremely high level in economic development and our hard work is receiving national attention. We share this award with our public and private partners," said Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo.

The SB&D 100 shows that 2009 was an unbelievable year for the Monroe/West Monroe MSA and northeast Louisiana. According to the magazine, it is one of the best small market performances of all time.

"This honor recognizes the hard work and leadership of so many people, including our state, regional, and local political and business leaders. I'm hoping this ranking will send prospective companies a message that we are open and ready for business," said West Monroe Mayor Dave Norris.

According to Southern Business & Development publisher Michael Randle, editors ranked the top 100 job and investment announcements made in the South for the previous year in order to establish a threshold. The 2010 SB&D 100 had a threshold of 335 jobs and $66 million. Any project with 335 or more jobs received 10 points, and any project with an investment of $66 million or more received 10 points. Smaller projects received 5 points. The Monroe/West Monroe MSA earned an impressive 60 points, which is the second-best in the 17-year history of the small market division.

"This honor demonstrates that Monroe/West Monroe and the North Louisiana region as a whole are on the right track for economic development. I hope being named Small Market of the Year will lead to more recognition for the region and more wins for the area," said John Mark Wilhite, Volunteer Chair for the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, a regional economic development marketing group that promotes the 14-parishes of North Louisiana.

A variety of notable deals helped push the Monroe/West Monroe MSA over the top, including V-Vehicle and Foster Farms. The magazine also gave V-Vehicle the Excellence in Green Economy Recruitment Award.

"Our efforts in recruiting V-Vehicle to Ouachita Parish have earned us both national and international attention. The impact of this company on our area and on North Louisiana would be transformational. V-Vehicle remains a viable company, and while the start-up process is a challenging one, the Police Jury will stand by its commitment to the company and to the citizens of Ouachita Parish," said Shane Smiley, Ouachita Parish Police Jury President.

Additionally, Southern Business & Development named Foster Farms in Union Parish as the Agribusiness Deal of the Year.

"The recognition of Foster Farms is certainly well deserved. In a short period of time, the company has reinvested funds and modernized their poultry facility here in Farmerville. Their accomplishments since coming to our area are many. Foster Farms is an excellent example of being a "good neighbor." The company is to be complimented for being very "community minded." I commend Ron Foster, President of Foster Farms and Gov. Bobby Jindal as well as other local, regional and state officials for being persistent and dedicated to making "things happen" in just 45 days or so. It could have been a long, hot summer, but the Lord smiled on us," said Farmerville Mayor Stein Baughman.