News and Events

Savoie’s Foods Announces $12.7 Million Expansion In St. Landry Parish

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

Expansion will result in 16 new jobs, retention of 100 jobs; company to expand distribution area ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. — Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and President Frederick Lafleur of Savoie’s Sausage and Food Products Inc. announced a $12.7 million expansion of the company’s food production facility in St. Landry Parish near Opelousas. With the expansion, the company will broaden its distribution area, bringing Cajun-style sausage and other food products to a wider region. The project includes construction of a 41,000-square-foot facility and installation of new production equipment. The larger facility will enable Savoie’s to nearly double its production. Through th...

Former St. Luke Hospital in Arnaudville to Become French Immersion Center After St. Landry and St. Martin Parish Sell It

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Original article posted on KADN The former St. Luke Hospital in Arnaudville is about to get a face lift and a new purpose. The goal is transform the hospital into the St. Luc French Immersion and Cultural Center. Not only would be it the first french immersion program for adults in Louisiana, but also the first one of its kind in the United States. “Ça veut dire que mon cœur chant.” said Mavis Fruge which translates to “this makes my heart sing. Fruge has envisioned turning the hospital into an french immersion center back in 2006. The problem was the facility was owned by St. Landr...

Festivals reminders of St. Landry’s bountiful harvest

Monday, November 11, 2019

Harvest festivals blossoming across south Louisiana at this time of year are annual reminders that this is a place where we can grow practically anything, and do. Agribusiness is big business across the region and is an important segment of the St. Landry Parish economy. Crops and animals produced in St. Landry had a value of nearly $150 million at the farm gate in 2018, and will likely have at least that value when 2019 totals are calculated. Dr. Kurt Guidry, director of the LSU AgCenter’s southwest region, says that value would likely double when agriculture’s effects throughout the loca...

Zydeco Capital Jam

Saturday, November 09, 2019

Zydeco Capital Jam is a monthly jam session for zydeco musicians and fans taking place on the second Saturday of every month at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center at I-49 exit 23, just north of Opelousas. The Zydeco Capital Jam is the first of its kind in nearly a decade recalling the tradition from when zydeco legend Roy Carrier would jam with other great musicians at the Offshore Lounge in Lawtell. Where better to revive the tradition of zydeco music jams than in the Zydeco Music Capital of the World – Opelousas, Louisiana. Bring your favorite instrument and jam with fellow zydeco music enthusiasts o...

Grants give boost to downtown Opelousas revival

Sunday, November 03, 2019

Two grants have given a boost to efforts to revitalize the heart of Opelousas, one of the primary goals of St. Landry civic, government, and economic leaders. Bodemuller the Printer, one of the oldest family businesses in the parish, has been selected as a recipient of a $10,000 Louisiana Main Street Grant to help revamp its façade, and the City of Opelousas has received an AARP Community Challenge Grant to help enhance public spaces. The grants come as a reorganized Opelousas Downtown Development Authority is beginning projects to improve the infrastructure of the center of one of Louisiana’s oldest communities. ...

Events bring new focus to St. Landry airport

Friday, November 01, 2019

St. Landry Parish has an airport that can handle just about any corporate or private airplane flying. But until recently it has been one of the parish’s better kept secrets. David Allen, who was appointed St. Landry Parish airport manager this spring, is working to do something about that. He has scheduled events in October and November to reintroduce the airport to local consumers and to aviators as a regional stopover for small planes. October 12 has been designated Young Eagles Day, and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. youngsters can get free rides in small planes, some of whic...

Crews prepare for work at Judson Walsh Bridge site

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Work on the Judson Walsh Bridge in Opelousas could be getting started soon. Officials say that crews were out at the bridge site on Thursday October 17, to remove utility lines in preparation for work to begin. The bridge was closed in April after an inspection in 2018 revealed that the structure was severely eroded. Traffic including school buses had to be detoured after the closure. The bridge is not expected to be reopened until mid to late 2020. Full article here.

Gateway to Acadiana Project is on the Rise

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Plans are moving ahead for the Gateway to Acadiana project in Opelousas. The facility near Evangeline Downs Racetrack-casino will feature a multi-use expo and event center. Also, an RV resort will be next door to the racetrack, adjacent to I-49. “…when you think about this intersection on I-49 and highway 190, its really the crossroads of Louisiana and not just Acadiana. So for something like this to come on the I-49, the I-49 is such a valuable resource to us in Acadiana. This being an anchor component that I-49 corridor is what I would call the potential for a transformational project.” sai...

St. Landry schools launches 'Be Loyal, Shop Local' campaign to increase tax revenue

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Original article posted on Daily World The St. Landry Parish school district has launched a campaign aimed at increasing local sales tax revenue and promoting retail shopping in the parish. District officials started the campaign last week that has received the endorsement of the parish economic district officials and members of the chamber of commerce. Advertised as the “Be Loyal, Shop Local” program, the goals are to help to create more local jobs and to educate the public in shopping with locally owned businesses that school officials said specialize in personal service. Tricia Fontenot, the district’s instructional and technology facilitator is in charge of the effort. Individuals can help the campaign by visitin...

Grand Couteau Economic Development District

Monday, July 22, 2019

Grand Couteau’s Economic Development District is ready for growth! Located in the St. Landry Parish region in the heart of Louisiana, historical Grand Couteau is a community with available space for businesses to locate and expand. An Economic Development District, or EDD, is a proactive tool that communities like Grand Couteau are using to create and accelerate growth within a designated area of the community. With easy access to this development district, Grand Couteau is excited to offer businesses access to available sites that can be developed using a variety of incentives. This could create economic growth and more jobs for loca...

The Cajun Acceleration Station: Helping St. Landry Parish Collaborate!

Monday, July 15, 2019

St. Landry Parish’s Economic Development Organization has created a highly interactive workspace for its residents in the Cajun Acceleration Station. The Cajun Acceleration Station helps local businesses and students alike by providing a space for them to interact with others. This Station is nicknamed C.A.V.E. and it stands for Collaborative Audio-Visual Environment. It consists of a 72 inch touch screen monitor with Skype abilities for teleconferences, free Wi-Fi, glass boards, and collaborative workstations. This station can be used by local businesses and organizations to conduct meetings or strategic planning sessions. And local students from St. Landry Parish have access t...

St. Landry Parish Wants Your Business to Succeed!

Monday, July 08, 2019

St. Landry Parish has an entrepreneurial spirit and wants businesses and organizations to succeed - including local startups! This is why we provide so many resources for new businesses and organizations in the area. These resources are designed to help businesses of all sizes; small, medium, and large. There are several local resources and state and federal resources available for businesses in our area. Visit our website to learn more about the resources available. The team at St. Landry’s Economic Development Organization wants every business to succeed, so we encourage businesses to reach out and take advantage of the resources w...

St. Landry Parish Region Offers Incentive Programs to Businesses!

Monday, July 01, 2019

Businesses and organizations looking to locate in an area that provides invaluable support and incentives, should consider St. Landry Parish. We strive to help every business in the area be successful and sustainable. One of the ways we offer support is by promoting incentive programs, tax breaks, and helping businesses to secure funding. We provide special incentives for small businesses, including the Economic Gardening Initiative in which the Louisiana Economic Development Organization provides small businesses with the information and resources needed to grow our business and be successful. We also support businesses with incentive programs like the Enterprise Zone Initiative whic...

Available Property in St. Landry Parish

Monday, June 24, 2019

If you are looking for a place to locate your business, there is available property in St. Landry Parish! When you visit our interactive map which shows the available properties in the region you will find several helpful search tools to narrow your search to properties that fit your business needs. This interactive map allows you to narrow your search to different types of properties, such as commercial buildings, industrial buildings, offices spaces, or raw land. It also highlights enterprise and opportunity zones, when available, along with transportation information like access to railroad and nearby airports. Visit the interactive map fo...

Central St. Landry Economic Development District

Monday, May 27, 2019

The Central St. Landry Economic Development District is creating more opportunities for growth in the Opelousas and St. Landry Parish area by expanding the Economic Development District (EDD). Recent expansion of this district will lead to the development of commercial space for things like shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. This will increase the workforce and provide more jobs for local and commuting residents. There will also be room for growth in entertainment and leisure for the surrounding communities within the St. Landry Parish region, including room for new entertainment facilities, RV parks, and more! The Central St. Landry Economi...

Opelousas Downtown Development District Provides Expansion and Growth Opportunities!

Monday, July 29, 2019

Opelousas’s Downtown Development District is providing businesses with expansion and growth opportunities! Located in the St. Landry Parish region of Louisiana, Opelousas is a thriving community that is devoted to the growth and sustainability of its community. The Downtown Development Project is collaborating with other local organizations and investors to increase economic growth and development in the downtown area of Opelousas. Development within this downtown district would improve pedestrian and bicycle access, enhance lighting and security, advocate for anchor building redevelopment projects and more, all within the downtown area. Opelousas is committed to a long-term master plan to continue to increas...

News and Events

Right here in St Landry Parish

St Landry has fun for every taste

Experience Cajun cooking at its best

St Landry honors its history