Moving Forward

As spring blossoms in St. Landry Parish, so also do the chances of new economic activity.

St. Landry Economic Development currently lists a record 21 prospects active to one degree or another in looking over the parish, and at least three of them may come to fruition before summer sets in. The projects are a sign of an improving economy throughout south Louisiana, and of momentum building as St. Landry’s reputation grows, according to Bill Rodier, St. Landry economic development director.

Because of an improving local and national business climate, “combined with the proactive planning and strategic efforts here in St Landry,” Rodier says parish planners “anticipate a new and accelerated wave of momentum” that will grow throughout this year.

One of the projects on track for an early announcement “is a heavy industrial project that is very large in scope on its investment and job creation potential,” according to Rodier. He said “the permitting for this project is on schedule to be completed in in late first or early second quarter.

Rodier also reported to his board that he expects “a formal announcement very soon” on an expansion project with a “well-established area company” to consolidate its operation into a new facility in St. Landry.

Likewise, he reported a manufacturing project in the center of the parish “has a high probability of being announced” in the next several months. If it comes to fruition the project will create 50 new direct positions, with the ability to expand even more. He said resolving some zoning issues “is the final hurdle” in moving the project forward.

Additionally, two new companies have begun to take a preliminary look at the parish, including a 

heavy industrial project interested in a central St. Landry location. If it does come to the parish, Rodier, the project would create 75 direct full time positions and more than 1,000 temporary construction jobs.

Also potentially on the horizon is a project that would create 40 direct jobs paying an average of $60,000 a year.

Rodier cautioned, as he always does, that “none of these are guaranteed to come to St. Landry. This is a very competitive environment.” But he also said that “our prospects for more and better development get better every day. Decision makers are beginning to notice the very real advantages that St. Landry can offer to a wide variety of enterprises.”

The immediate future appears to look brighter for businesses that are already here.

“There is good evidence to support a stabilizing of the overall Acadiana economy for 2017,” Rodier said. “There is also good evidence that 2017 will be a year that sees federal policy shift towards being more business-friendly. There is reason for optimism.”

The economic development leader has pointed out that new business and industrial projects already announced for St. Landry Parish over the past 24 months have the potential to create more than 800 new, good-paying jobs, and that businesses currently looking at the parish could bring at least another 500.

“Not all of those who are currently looking at us will come here,” Rodier said. “But we are better positioned every day to get our fair share, and each new business or business expansion helps our momentum grow. Nothing breeds success like success, and each new St. Landry project helps us to show other decision makers that there are good reasons to locate here and to hire our skilled and willing workers.”