Moving Forward

St. Landry Economic Development received high marks in a recent assessment by One Acadiana, the regional economic development organization, of how well development districts are performing.

Rebecca Shirley, business development director for One Acadiana, delivered the “score card” at the district’s recent board meeting in Opelousas. The assessment is part of a Louisiana Economic Development initiative to enhance the economic competitiveness of regions and parishes across the state, she said.

“St. Landry Economic Development has taken great strides since the first assessment by investing in the development of a strategic plan that will guide their ongoing activities,” Shirley said.

She said the assessment raises awareness of the things needed to be successful and more competitive. It evaluates 16 indicators and measures how the district has changed from 2013 to 2015.

The evaluation period coincides with the tenure of Bill Rodier as executive director of St. Landry Parish Economic Development. Rodier arrived on the job in May 2013.

Shirley said, “It is very interesting from my perspective of having worked with you guys so long … to see how far you’ve come.”

St. Landry Economic Development scored 45 out of a possible 48 in the current evaluation. The 2013 score was 14 out of 48.

Each indicator was scored from 0 to 3. The 16 indicators and how the district scored are:

• Organization staffing, 3 in 2015, 2 in 2013.
• Organization budget, 3 in 2015, 2 in 2013.
• Economic development plan, 3 in 2015, 0 in 2013.
• Target industry analysis, 3 in 2015, 1 in 2013.
• Regional economic development organization engagement, 3 in 2015, 3 in 2013.
• Leadership training and stakeholder education, 2 in 2015, 0 in 2013.
• Available sites, 2 in 2015, 2 in 2013.
• Available buildings, 3 in 2015, 0 in 2013.
• Workforce/Labor, Infrastructure capacity, 3 in 2015, and 0 in 2013.
• Understanding of local competitiveness, 3 in 2015; 0 in 2013.
• Marketing plan, 3 in 2015 and 0 in 2013.
• Economic development partnerships, 3 in 2015, and 1 in 2013.
• Prospect hosting, 3 in 2015 and 1 in 2013.
• Promotion Collateral, 3 in 2015, and 1 in 2013;.
• Inventory of unique selling points, 3 in 2015, and 1 in 2013.

The 16 indicators are recognized in economic development as best management practices, 

Shirley said.

Shirley said since the fourth quarter of 2013, “a lot has happened organizationally within St. Landry Parish Economic Development.”

Among the factors cited is the district has a stable source of funding and has a plan based on a comprehensive community assessment and formal strategic plan that includes job creation, investment targets and annual reviews.

“What I’m seeing in St. Landry Parish is that economic development is not just the old model of chasing smokestacks,” Shirley said. “You’re looking at what can be done to build up the commercial development, which increases your local sales tax base.”

One Acadiana is a regional economic development agency based in Lafayette and serving St. Landry, Evangeline, Jeff Davis, Acadia, Vermilion, Lafayette, St. Martin, Iberia and St. Mary parishes.

Article by Harlan Kirgan, Eunice News