News Summary
Shreveport’s job market shows promising growth as Morris & Dickson expands operations, creating new employment opportunities in the area. The local economy is rebounding post-pandemic, with significant job creation in various sectors. Morris & Dickson, a pharmaceutical distributor, has contributed to this trend by enhancing their logistics and workforce, reflecting a broader upward trend in the job market. As companies invest in the community, Shreveport is poised for a prosperous future.
Shreveport Sees Job Growth as Morris & Dickson Expands Operations and Employment Opportunities
Shreveport is buzzing with excitement as the local job market experiences an encouraging surge! The Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Caddo, Bossier, and Desoto parishes, has been on an upward trajectory, adding positions over the past year. This is fantastic news for the community, even though there are still some challenges to navigate along the way.
Job Growth in Southern States
In a surprising trend, many Southern states have seen job growth of up to 14% since 2018. However, Louisiana has faced a bit of a hiccup, with a reported loss of 1% during the same time frame. Fortunately, recent data indicates that Louisiana’s job market has grown by 1% over the past year and a two-year total of 2.2%. It seems that with each passing day, more opportunities are cropping up!
As part of a recent economic update, the numbers revealed some significant disparities in job sectors between Louisiana and its neighboring Southern states. For example, while finance and insurance positions have enjoyed a robust growth rate of 22% in other states, Louisiana lingered behind with just 6%. The transportation and warehousing sector experienced a modest 7% increase in Louisiana, compared to an average growth of an astonishing 33% among the top five Southern states.
Rebound from Pandemic Job Losses
The good news doesn’t stop there! Louisiana has managed to recover from the job losses incurred during the pandemic. Sectors like education, government, and construction have created new jobs, with health care leading the charge by adding 8,000 new positions in just the last year. This is all part of a broader effort to restore and grow the local economy. However, some concerns remain regarding potential federal funding cuts that might impact research and programs at local institutions.
Impressive Wage Growth
Since 2020, wages in Louisiana have also made an impressive leap, rising by 19%. Although this growth is encouraging, Florida and South Carolina are currently leading the pack with a whopping 24% increase in wages. In response to these economic activities, upcoming legislation is set to provide more robust economic development incentives focused on higher-wage jobs, which would help foster population growth.
Shreveport, along with the rest of Louisiana, boasts a cost of living that is 4.3% more affordable than the national average, with Monroe being an even more attractive option at 11.7% below the average. This affordability can be a huge draw for those looking to relocate or consider new job opportunities in the area.
Morris & Dickson’s Expansion
Highlighting this wave of growth is the pharmaceutical distributor Morris & Dickson, which is based right in Shreveport. They’ve recently expanded their license to deliver to all 50 states, adding to their impressive portfolio. To take things even further, they’ve acquired Presa Solutions, which is set to improve their logistics services and efficiency significantly.
Morris & Dickson is also hard at work constructing a new 97,200-square-foot distribution center near Memphis. This will allow them to improve delivery efficiency through FedEx, with later order pickups enabling faster shipping options for West Coast pharmacies. It’s no wonder that in 2024, the company surpassed $6 billion in annual sales!
With 648 employees already on board and a fleet of trucks delivering around 30,000 different products—from hand creams to high-priced specialty drugs—Morris & Dickson stands as a testament to the thriving job market in Shreveport. This company has a rich history in pharmaceuticals dating back to 1884, transitioning into distribution in 1949.
Growing Opportunities
Recently, a job fair held at the Port of Caddo-Bossier attracted a variety of potential employers interested in filling their open positions. It’s clear that the landscape in Shreveport is shifting for the better, with an increasing number of companies looking to invest in the community, creating a wealth of employment opportunities.
As the job market continues to progress, residents of Shreveport can remain optimistic about the future. With the expansion of local companies and a steady flow of new positions, the community stands to benefit immensely from these ongoing developments!
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Shreveport Jobs Pay Are Up
- Business Wire: Morris & Dickson Growth
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Morris Dickson Pharmaceutical Distribution Growth
- KSLA: Port Caddo-Bossier Career Fair
- BioSpace: Morris & Dickson Acquisition
- Wikipedia: Job Growth
- Google Search: Shreveport jobs
- Google Scholar: Job Market Louisiana
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Economic Development
- Google News: Louisiana job growth
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
