VIDALIA — A crowd of approximately 200 gathered Thursday at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center for an update on the State of Louisiana from Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Jindal spoke on the current issues in the state, and what the state government is doing to help Louisiana stay on track.

Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell introduced Jindal and thanked the governor for being hands-on.

“There is no governor I remember ever being in Concordia Parish as much as Gov. Jindal,” Maxwell said.

Jindal said it was imperative for the governor of a state to go out and see every area he governs.

“It is important to get out and see the state,” he said. “It gives me a chance to visit and see about any investment opportunities for the area.”

Jindal began his speech by talking about the how much the state has overcome in the past few years.

“We have had to deal with hurricanes and now this oil spill,” he said. “Louisiana is going to come back stronger than ever in the future.”

The center of Jindal’s speech was about keeping the focus of the state on the future of the children.

“Our kids work hard, and there should be more opportunities for them,” he said. “Our greatest exports are our sons and daughters.”

Jindal said Louisiana was the only state consistently losing its citizens to job opportunities, but recently, that has started to change.

“For three years in a row now, we have more people coming into the state than leaving,” he said. “But we are not there yet.”

Jindal gave five points during his speech as to what the state needs to do to continue to make it a better overall place for Louisiana residents.

Business ethics, cutting taxes, having more work training for residents, improving education and investing in infrastructure and transportation were all part of Jindal’s plan for success.

Monterey resident Mary Moreland attended the event and she was glad she came out to hear what Jindal had to say.

“I think he made valid points about Louisiana,” she said. “We are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves as a state with Jindal in office.”

Ferriday resident Bertha Graves said that Jindal’s plans to keep young people in the state were shared by her.

“I have two granddaughters and I want them to stay close,” she said. “It was a good speech, and he has been a good governor.”