Moving Forward Archive

While working to bring new business to St. Landry Parish is an important part of the work of St. Landry Economic Development, the agency places just as much emphasis on supporting and developing businesses that are already here.

Important parts of that effort include an ongoing partnership with the Small Business Development Center at UL-Lafayette, regular collaboration with local business leaders and St. Landry Parish communities, increasing education and training opportunities for workers and employers, and a variety of support services that smooth the way for businesses to grow

The UL center continues to offer one-on-one consulting sessions with people who want to start a business or who want to expand one. The next session will be on April 12.  Interested persons can contact the SLED at (337) 948-1391.

“The regular use of this service by St. Landry Parish entrepreneurs demonstrates that it is needed and being well utilized throughout our 

parish,” according to Bill Rodier, St. Landry economic development director. “The center has been in operation since 1983, and has established a solid reputation as an effective agency that is eager to help small businesses prosper. Literally hundreds of our business people have benefitted from its expertise over the years.”

St. Landry Economic Development also holds regular support workshops promoted in collaboration with area business owners. A session planned for April 2016 in the business center in Opelousas will focus on the importance of an effective marketing plan.

“Developing a marketing plan or strategy will enable the small business to identify the most effective means to reach these customers as well as build and cultivate sustaining relationships with them,” Rodier said. “A good plan is the first step toward success.”

Rodier also noted that during 2015 the St. Landry Parish agency met with and tracked the progress of roughly 25 local companies and that he plans to expand that base to 30 of the parish’s top employers in the coming year.

“With many of the challenges facing the regional economy it is important that we do everything we can to take care of our core employers,” he said.

Rodier and his staff also plan meetings with Dr. Natalie Harder, chancellor for the South Louisiana Community College to discuss ways the T.H. Harris campus in Opelousas can best meet the needs of local businesses, as well as with leaders in St. Landry Parish communities to help then find the best ways to use local resources for local jobs.

One of the things that has proven popular and valuable is the establishment of economic development districts within the communities that allow them to make maximum use of slender resources without burdening business 

owners or taxpayers. Districts or something similar to them have been established or are being actively investigated in Arnaudville, Port Barre, Eunice, Grand Coteau, Sunset, and other communities.

“The coming year promises to be packed with challenges, but there is lot to be proud of in St. Landry Parish and a lot more coming,” Rodier said in a recent report to the economic development board. “It will be tempting for us to allow the circumstances that are happening around us to dictate the progress in our parish. We won’t fall into that trap.

“We have prospects from elsewhere actively looking at what St. Landry Parish has to offer. These would diversify our economy, bring new jobs and payrolls into the parish, and help continue the optimism and momentum that has begun to develop in St. Landry. And we will continue to seek every opportunity to help the businesses that are already here. These remain the bedrock of our economy.”