The Northwestern Louisiana City of Lights has become the touchstone for every town in the state looking for a way to draw to themselves a spotlight to draw economic prosperity. Natchitoches didn't get there by chance.

"We had a vision of what we wanted and we've worked toward that goal," said Mayor Wayne McCullen.

That's an understatement. The city leaders followed their rainbow but finding the pot of gold has taken hundreds of hours of planning, along with years of backbreaking work and patience to accomplish.

Mayor McCullen and those deeply involved in making Natchitoches what Kiplinger has named one of the top six best places in the nation to live didn't simply rely on committee meetings where everyone shows up with a notebook and ideas. They planned a retreat. No phones, no interference, just a quiet time to hammer out what steps to take toward building the City of Natchitoches into, not one of six, but a number one city, especially in the area of tourism.

Building on the historic significance of the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, city leaders took Natchitoches' natural beauty and built an industry out of it. And they are not satisfied with being a noted tourist destination where visitors can step back in time to walk along the Cane Lake that runs through the center of downtown, sleep in what were once servants quarters in some of the most beautiful bed and breakfast inns in America or walk through a restored fort where French soldiers once slept on raised wooden beds covered with hay.

"Each time I visit another city," said Mayor McCullen, "I take along a camera. If we see things that would make Natchitoches more attractive, we bring those ideas here."

Some of those concepts have led to the city having their own horticulturist who cares for the hanging baskets of flowers that grace the city. Soon there will be landscaping at other designated spots around Natchitoches. New street signs are going up that came from the desk of Mayor McCullen, designed with an eye to drawing attention to even minor details of the look of the town. Along some streets, the utility poles have disappeared, making the feeling of a walk back in time even more intense. Every added detail fits into the set purpose of making Natchitoches even more attractive.

"Historical ambience is one of our most important assets," said Dr. John Price, professor at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. But he, as well as the other planners know it takes much more to grow into a economically viable city.

"During December, we have between 250,000 to 500,000 people who visit Natchitoches," said Mayor McCullen. Each one of those visitors represent money to the area. He further explained that each dollar spent in the community turns over seven to nine times.

However, December is not the only month Natchitoches hosts special events. During the year they host several festivals including the Loggers Extravaganza held in October, 2003, a Jazz Festival, Mardi Gras, a Meat Pie festival, an Independence Day celebration, a Tour of Homes each year featuring the many plantation homes in the area as well as the Festival of Lights each December.

"We are shooting for one event each month," said J.D. "Dud" Holland, chairman of the Economic Development Board and Senior Vice President of City Bank and Trust in Natchitoches. He added that those are in addition to the entertainment provided by ball games and theater at the university.

To maintain growth potential, the town has begun a small business incubator to work hand-in-hand with businesses. They've joined in partnerships with businesses locally and with regional economic development committees to achieve the targets they've set for themselves. In line with that, they're building a new convention center to host events. Along the Red River there is the new J. Bennett Johnston visitor center built with federal funding. With the opening of the Church Street Inn, Natchitoches can boast of a quality hotel downtown.

"Church Street Inn is a blue ribbon quality hotel as good as anything in New Orleans," said Nick Pollacia, executive vice president of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce. A visit to the newly opened Inn confirms Pollacia's view. Ken and Jan Starks have renovated an old bank built in 1961 into 20 guestrooms, each with a historical theme drawn from Natchitoches' rich heritage. It demonstrates the success of the town's strategies for maintaining their historical importance while growing the tourist industry.

Behind all their strategies, this community has seen a phenomenal average of 50 new businesses open there each year. National chains are now looking at Natchitoches with a Chili's restaurant opening there within the year. They've witnessed growth that's the envy of every community in America and they have no intention of stopping now.

"We've made goals for the coming year," said the Mayor. No one doubts that they will see results in the City of Natchitoches.

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