News and Events

Accelerate St. Landry provided valuable training to local entrepreneurs in March and April. Participants enjoyed a six-week program of weekly sessions designed to provide each with a firm background on the fundamentals of starting, growing, and scaling a business. St. Landry Economic Development provided the program in partnership with the...Continue Reading

An April seminar held at the St. Landry Economic Development office in Opelousas provided disadvantaged business enterprises, or DBEs, the information they need to access unique growth opportunities fulfilling public contracts. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, or DBEs, are small businesses with at least 51% ownership by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals...Continue Reading

Vision St. Landry honored local students for their achievements in the Jobs for American Graduates (JAG) program. The event, held at Our Savior’s Church in Opelousas on Tuesday, March 25, celebrated the hard work and dedication of students in St. Landry Parish.JAG offers specialized elective classes and programs to help...Continue Reading

Business Summit 2025 from the St. Landry Chamber of Commerce served as a February highlight in the St. Landry Parish business community. An annual event, this year’s summit convened on Thursday, February 21 at Our Saviors Church in Opelousas and featured panel discussions, a dynamic keynote, and time to connect...Continue Reading

A new $13 million industrial coating plant is set to open in Washington, a town of just over 1,100 residents. Local officials and business owners anticipate a major economic boost as Southland Industrial Coatings brings jobs and investment to the area.The 109-acre facility, currently under construction, will specialize in metalizing,...Continue Reading

Long-awaited renovations are finally getting underway at Donald Gardner Stadium in Opelousas.The groundbreaking took place on Wednesday, February 26, on the multi-million dollar project. It will enhance the facility for high school athletes and the community.The historic stadium is getting a long overdue facelift. Officials said it will spark positive...Continue Reading

Infrastructure and security enhancements across St. Landry Parish are progressing with financial support from the Central St. Landry Economic Development District (CSLEDD). Projects such as improved lighting and security cameras along I-49, water main extensions, and wastewater treatment upgrades are laying the foundation for economic growth and future development. In...Continue Reading

The St. Landry-Evangeline United Way VITA tax season is fast approaching and will offer free tax preparation to residents of both St. Landry and Evangeline parishes. This year, United Way will be offering drop-off/pick-up only.Super Tax Day is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, with appointments and walk-ins available from...Continue Reading

St. Landry Economic Development, in partnership with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette LEED Center, is excited to announce Accelerate St. Landry 2025 – a comprehensive program designed to support and empower entrepreneurs and small businesses in St. Landry Parish.This program provides valuable resources to help local business owners thrive,...Continue Reading

Michael Frugé, owner of Louisiana-harvested Parish Rice, received the distinguished Farmer of the Year award at this year’s USA Rice Outlook Conference which took place in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dec. 8 to 10.The USA Rice Outlook Conference Farmer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding rice producers in the United States...Continue Reading

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces the addition of two prominent speakers to the agenda for the 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum, “Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today,” scheduled for February 27-28, 2025.Jeff Schmid, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will address the Forum with a...Continue Reading

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is investing $6.3 billion in rural and Tribal communities across 44 states to expand access to a clean and reliable electric grid, provide safe drinking water, and create good-paying jobs.“The Biden-Harris Administration invests in rural America, because we know...Continue Reading

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new round of investments totaling more than $194 million to support local economic development plans and projects in Rural Partners Network (RPN) communities and other neighboring communities across 14 states and Puerto Rico. USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dr...Continue Reading

Securing economic development incentives is a key element of a successful site selection strategy, but it requires careful planning, negotiation, and long-term compliance. The right incentives can offset costs, accelerate project timelines, and support long-term growth, but the process is often complex and full of potential pitfalls. From the earliest...Continue Reading

Sustainability goals have become a critical component of corporate strategy and have led industrial manufacturers to reevaluate how they approach site selection. The need for reliable access to skilled labor, logistical infrastructure, and utilities remains crucial, but a new factor has taken precedence: decarbonization.In response to ambitious carbon reduction commitments,...Continue Reading

When Archer Review CEO Dr. Karthik Koduru moved his small but growing company from Illinois to Texas a few years ago, he had the same things on his mind as the CEO of any giant multinational.“I wanted to move to Texas for the business-friendly reasons,” he told me on a...Continue Reading

Did you know that in Louisiana, 1.7 million people lack access to broadband internet connectivity? That's roughly one-third of the state's population. And many of them live in rural parts of Acadiana. News 15 Investigates examines the “digital divide.” Closing that gap has been a priority for government leaders for...Continue Reading

Area Development talked with Norfolk Southern’s GVP of Industrial Development, Craig Hudson, about the evolving importance of rail in site selection, supply chain sustainability, and emerging sectors like metals and advanced materials.Q: What challenges do companies face when incorporating rail into their site plans, and how does Norfolk Southern help...Continue Reading