MARKSVILLE, LA – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana will host the fourth annual Louisiana Rural and Economic (LaRuE) Development Summit in Marksville, LA, at Paragon Casino Resort on September 7-8, 2025. This year’s summit, which is free and open to the public, will once again bring together a lineup of keynote speakers and panelists including business professionals, industry experts, and state and local elected officials. They will explore a wide range of topics including grant funding, rural economic development, agriculture, education, and digital transformation.
LaRuE’s mission is to ignite economic growth in rural communities by connecting local leaders, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders with tools and knowledge to expand their reach through strategic partnerships with government entities, corporate organizations, and tribal nations.
“LaRuE is about empowering people where they are,” said Marshall Pierite, Chairman of the Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. “Too often, rural communities are told they must leave home to find opportunity. We reject that narrative. This summit is about building capacity in our own backyards so our people can thrive where their roots are planted. We are fostering real and lasting partnerships that invest in our future and ensure no community is left behind.”
First launched in 2019, LaRuE has become a pivotal event for rural and tribal economic leaders. It returns this year at a critical moment for small towns navigating today’s rapidly changing economic landscape. The summit will feature panels, lectures, and networking opportunities focused on the following topics: Economic Diversification; Affordable Housing and Infrastructure Development; Disaster Preparedness for Rural Communities; Health and Wellness; Workforce Development and Higher Education; Mental Health; Cultivating Leadership in the Next Generation; Agriculture and Agribusiness; Policy and Government; Art, Culture and Tourism; Digital Transformation in Rural Communities; and Grants.
LaRuE is open to all economic development professionals including entrepreneurs, small business owners, government officials, chambers of commerce, academic leaders, investors, students, and members of the public interested in rural and tribal development.
For more information, to register, or apply for sponsorship visit larue.la/.