Business

A $21 million upscale apartment complex is under construction in Bossier City, near Interstate 220 and Shed Road. The managing partner of the family-run Fortis Company, Jeff Lowe, says the 240-unit LeRivage will be a cut above other apartment communities. He says one selling point will be its $1 million pool and outdoor living complex.

“I feel it’s different than any other property in Bossier at this time, in that it will offer the resident really a resort lifestyle," Lowe said.

The drought situation in East Texas is steadily improving by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Several Northeast Texas counties were removed from drought status last week after recent rains.

Cattle rancher Mark Chamblee of Huntington, Texas, still can see the impact on his Brahman herd. He owns East Texas Ranch and had to sell off much of his cattle two years ago. Chamblee is slowing rebuilding his herd again. He has 25-head of cattle.

"We're still crossing our fingers for rain this summer, and not have what happened two years ago," Chamblee said.

Phoenix-based Elio Motors has formally announced its agreement to buy the former Shreveport General Motors plant, where it will build three-wheeled vehicles that it says will get more than 80 miles per gallon.

The startup car maker will use one-third of the 3 million acre plant site. Elio Motors said it will hire 1,500 workers by late 2015. Founder Paul Elio said at Thursday's news conference at the plant that he aims to create good-paying U.S. jobs, whether they’re unionized, he said, is up to his workforce.