Gauging local progress

Construction and businesses new or relocating across Avoyelles

By Donna Culotta

Recent construction, new businesses and businesses relocating in the AP can be one of the measures of how well the local economy is doing.

According to Heath Pastor, Avoyelles Parish Assessor, 13 businesses are either under construction, relocated or currently established.

The big one just happens to be the big one, Marksville Y-Not Stop on Tunica is going to be the largest convenience store in the YNot portfolio. It’s due to be opened in November of this year.

Because of its location on the busiest road in the parish, anyone passing through can gauge the progress of the building.

Another company building and relocating on West Tunica is USI Industrial Services.

According to its website, “USI's Primary expertise is outage work in major refineries around the United States. This type of work is one of the most difficult and critical work in the industry and we thrive in this environment.”

That work includes pipe installation, pipe fabrication, pressure vessel installation and repair. just to mention some of the companies focus.

A source from the company added that the Marksville location will also be used for training.

Virtual Partner Advantage is owned by Charlotte Wasmer, who built her new office on the former Terrace Inn property.

The office deals primarily in accounting but in a virtual manner since their customers are spread out around the state and further.

Originally in Alexandria in a larger building close to the Riverfront Center, Wasmer downsized and chose to build a second office in Avoyelles because so many of her employees were from this area.

She also owns the pink house next to the office.

The Medicine Cabinet on the corner of Cocoville Road and Hwy 1, across from Walmart opened in August. It is one of three locations that includes Pineville and Leesville.

The store relocated from its former address in Marksville.

The Medicine Cabinet deals with medical marijuana and primarily with online orders. Customers must have a medical marijuana card.

Atchafalaya Metals of Simmesport opened in 2022 of this year. It’s owned by Ben and Britney Spinner and the large building sits on property next to Yellow Bayou Park.

The Spinners own a metal building business and opened Atchafalaya Metals to manufacture the parts needed to build their metal buildings. They deal in both commercial and residential.

Louisiana Granite and Tile is located on Industrial Boulevard behind Tractor Supply. The company opened in that location January of 2026.

It’s owned by Joshua and Natalie Piazza of Plaucheville. The company offers custom stone surfaces and complete countertop upgrades for kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor spaces.

They use high quality natural granite and engineered quartz.

They also sell tile because it goes hand in hand with countertops and bath. The do however, install tile.

Avoyelles Hospital in Marksville just wrapped up its $25 million expansion and renovation project that had been ongoing for several years.

Included is: a new 8-bed ICU, expanded surgical spaces, imaging and radiology upgrade, new cardiac cath lab and refreshed patient rooms.

Superior Tint Solutions 7501 Hwy 1 in Mansura, is another business that moved to a new location.

Owned by Glenn Turner, the business does more than tint windows, they replace glass and handle tires and accessories. The window tinting is available for homes, vehicles and offices.

Grit and Grind is a permanent food truck located on the corner of Ferdinand and Tunica, offering coffee and a whole menu of other drinks.

It’s owned by Katie Meche, originally from Oak Grove “almost to the Arkansas line.”

Grit and Grind was opened Nov. 12, 2025 and will have a special birthday celebration and surprises for customers.

According to Meche, their goal is to “have a brick and mortar and use the food truck for events and festivals.”

Behind Grit and Grind a large area is being cleared from Ferdinand to Acton Road.

Four sources have told me there will be a new and, “super” car wash on that spot.

A new Health Clinic in Cottonport on Choupique in the old Family Dollar building is currently under renovation. The project belongs to Roch Bordelon.

And finally the large building on Hwy. 1 in Mansura belongs to Pearl Industry. It has not been completed and will be a fabrication and mechanic shop.