UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Letter from the President: Mr. Adrian Baudoin We all know that Lafayette is a great place in which to live and work. Those of us fortunate enough to live or work in Upper Lafayette know that it is a treasure to be further developed wisely. Planned growth with a focus on quality of life is the main objective of our organization, and we will continue to be a force for this positive change in 2011.
Upcoming Events
Membership Meeting January 19, 2011, 11:30-1:00 The Southwest Group Headquarters Downtown Lafayette 100 Central Street, 3rd Floor
Mr. Adrian Baudoin
Like many of you, my family’s roots are in Acadiana. We moved to Upper Lafayette when I was ten years old, and we lived near the intersection of Moss Street and Pont des Mouton Road. Home was close enough to Acadian Elementary (now Acadian Middle) for me to walk to school. I graduated from Carencro High and later earned degrees from UL. My wife, our two sons and I live about two miles from my old neighborhood still not too far from Moss Street. I am proud to call Lafayette home, but I feel most at home in the upper part of the parish.
The Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is still a young association of proactive individuals and business leaders, but we have made our mark due largely to the energy and efforts of our Executive Director, Jan Swift. I look forward to working with Jan and the rest of our Board to carry out our important mission. We welcome your continued support and will seek to grow our membership in order to financially support our work and help spread the good word about Upper Lafayette. In closing, I’d like to thank Dr. Ross Judice, outgoing President of the Board, for his outstanding leadership. I believe that our young organization has matured a bit this past year under his direction. We all greatly appreciate his service and wish him the best on his new adventure.
Flo Meadows, Incoming Chamber Chair in 2011 The 2011 Chair of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Flo Meadows, is a charter member of ULEDF. A commercial realtor with Coldwell Banker Pelican Real Estate, Flo is recognized by all for her talents and accomplishments. Married to Jim Meadows for 25 years, Flo has called Lafayette her home for the past 20 years. She is a certified public account, a board member of Lafayette General Medical Center, a FiberCorps board member, and has served on enumerable boards and commissions including the Acadiana Center of the Arts and Council for a Better Louisiana. She will be sworn in at the Chamber’s annual banquet on January 20, 2011.
ULEDF Board of Directors & Staff Adrian Baudoin, President Beau Phares, V. President Todd Citron, Sec/Treas. Ross Judice, Past Pres. Amos Batiste Don Dupuis Cherie Hebert Ed Krampe Andre Moreau Dwight Prudhomme Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling Monty Warren Deborah Young Jan Swift, Director
In 2011, Meadows will focus the Chamber on opportunities to improve Lafayette’s future, which includes involvement in LCG’s Comprehensive Plan, the UL Horse Farm, UL Campus Plan, the future selection of Superintendent for the Lafayette Public School System (LPSS), LPSS Facilities Master Plan and funding, technology initiatives including LEDA’s Opportunity Machine and FiberCorps, among others. In the public policy arena, the chamber will focus on creating a pro-business environment, which encourages innovation, and the needs of its energy, higher education and healthcare members. Flo Meadows
Meadows stated that, “Our core values provide meaningful work and challenges which much be addressed. I look forward to hearing our members’ voice of vision for our future. Let’s join in the energetic bringing together of our talent, ingenuity, and bold actions to shape the future greatness of Lafayette and Acadiana for our children, our grandchildren and our businesses.” ULEDF proudly salutes Flo Meadows for her leadership at the Chamber, in Upper Lafayette, and as a passionate community leader. Thanks Flo for all you have done to make our community a better place!
Volume 26, Page 1
January 2011
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Gem of the Month: Gotreaux Family Farms Gotreaux Family Farms is a first generation, fully sustainable organic farm located in Scott, LA in Upper Lafayette. Brian and Dawn Gotreaux, along with their 10 children, produce tilapia, chicken, beef, eggs and produce. The Gotreauxs started a farmer’s market last year with several other farmers and vendors, which is located in the parking lot across from Champagne’s market on Heymann Blvd. You can also go by their farm on Tuesdays to purchase their delicious organic fare. The Gotreauxs offer two CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs a year (Fall/Winter and Spring/ Summer), in which participants receive a box of produce from their farm every week for 12 weeks. The Gotreauxs are at the forefront of organic farming in Upper Lafayette and although they have faced their fair share of hardships that come with organic farming, from hurricanes to droughts, the community has kept them going by showing increasing support with every season and year. Dawn attributes this growing support to people finding value in having a connection to their food, or knowing the hands and work that is behind producing their food. Lindsey Lustig picking up her CSA box from Brian Gotreaux.
The benefits of eating organic foods are numerous, from higher levels of vitamins and cancer-fighting Lafayette Hub City Farmers’ Market antioxidants to mitigation of climate change. When the Gotreauxs were asked why they have kept their commitment to the grueling work of organic farming, Dawn Gotreaux explained that it originally started as a way “to supply a pure food source for my family, which then stirred up the idea to offer it to the community around us.” The Gotreauxs hope to grow even more food and expand their CSA this year. The next CSA will be offered in April 2011. Check out the Gotreaux’s website athttp://www.gofamilyfarms.com/ to sign up for their email list to receive information weekly about what is available at the farm that given week.
January Membership Meeting Our upcoming membership meeting will focus on honoring Upper Lafayette success stories. Please join us January 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at The Southwest Group’s headquarters, 100 Central St. (3rd Floor) downtown, where we will share the stories of Schilling Distributing Co., Northside Paint Center, Hub City Ford and Home Furniture. Each of these businesses have operated continuously for over 45 years, a feat in itself, but what they have done for the Upper Lafayette community has made it an even better place to live and work. Gregg Gothreaux, CEO and President of LEDA will emcee. Louis Perret, Lafayette parish Clerk of Court, will also be swearing in our 2011 Board of Directors so this is truly an event you will not want to miss. Tickets are $25.00 each or $200 for a reserved table for 8. Email lindsey@upperlafayette.com for more information and to reserve your spot.
Northside Paint Center Inc. Volume 26, Page 2
January 2011
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Member Spotlight: David Courville, Architect David Courville established his firm in a home office in 1985. At the time he was also working as an adjunct faculty member at UL-Lafayette, teaching in the areas of architecture and design. In 1990, Courville moved into an office in downtown Lafayette and hired 1 employee. Courville has since hired several employees and won nine awards for various projects in the community. In 2004, Times of Acadiana awarded David Courville’s firm with the Bronze Rivet for Architects+Artists Exhibition Space at 200 Jefferson Street. David Courville’s firm won “Function with Flair” INDesign awards for Acadiana Computer Systems’ main building in Lafayette in 2007. In 2008, The Independent awarded David Courville’s firm with an INDesisn bronze award for their work on Russo Group Design and two silver awards for the Cade Community Center and Cade Community David Courville staff at work. Center Interior Design. Most recently, they won an INDesign award for work on Johnson’s Boucaniere. INDesign awards honor the most innovative and thoughtful commercial and residential architecture, historic preservation projects and interior design in Acadiana, and the role they play in our community. Passion for improving the community also shines through in Courville’s involvement with ULEDF. He explained that Upper Lafayette “represents an effective way to follow up on progress that has been made by people like Lynn Guidry. It gives a larger group a larger agenda to work on. I also think that the way that Upper Lafayette evolves, architecturally and growth-wise, can be influenced by a grassroots group like Upper Lafayette. Our firm also has a strong St. Martin Parish connection. In terms of regional growth, Upper Lafayette and St. Martin Parish have a lot of opportunities in common.”
200 Jefferson Street (firm location and Architects+Artists Exhibition Space)
Cade Community Center for which Courville’s firm won two silver INDesign awards.
The firm’s two former interns, Angelique Hernandez and David Hamer, are recently licensed architects, so Courville tells Upper Lafayette that the firm will be looking “to grow into our expanding capabilities.” Courville explained that, “Although we remain the same number of people, we are able to do more and more through our education and refinement of the ways in which we conduct projects. I am hoping that the economy will provide us with work enough to stretch our capabilities.” David Courville, Architect is located at 200 Jefferson Street and can be reached at (337) 234-4166.
Carencro Mayor Glenn Brasseaux and City Government Officials are Sworn In
Mayor Glenn Brasseaux is sworn in.
Upper Lafayette was in attendance at Carencro’s Oath of Office Ceremony held on January 7, 2011 at City Hall. Those sworn in for a new term were Mayor Glenn Brasseaux, City Council Members–Antoine Babineaux, L.J. Boudreaux, Kim Guidry, J.L. Richard and Alfred Sinegal, and Police Chief Carlos Stout. Glenn Brasseaux has been serving as Carencro Mayor since January 2003 after serving as a Councilman for 25 years. City government meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in City Hall, 210 E. St. Peter Street. Congratulations to Mayor Glenn Brasseaux, City Council Members and Police Chief Carlos Stout! Best of luck!
Carencro City Government Officials
Volume 26, Page 3
January 2011
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... J a n u a r y C OMMUNIT Y CA LE NDA R Sunday 28
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Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is an association of proactive individuals and business leaders, joined together to be a catalyst for change. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance and direct the positive, planned growth of Upper Lafayette, focusing on the quality of life, while participating in the overall development of the Greater Lafayette Metropolitan Area. Contact Lindsey at lindsey@upperlafayette.com for more information.
Special Thanks to Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation Members! PLATINUM Acadian Ambulance Service Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Delta Media Home Furniture Hub City Ford, Inc. IberiaBank McDonald’s of Acadiana MidSouth Bank Our Lady of Lourdes Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company The Southwest Group Whitney Bank
GOLD Atmos Energy Fenstermaker & Associates Home Bank Honda of Lafayette Opelousas General Health System VALOR Commercial Real Estate SILVER Accel Protection & Technologies Allstates Building Systems American Safety & Industrial Supply Aspen Clinic BBR Creative Edward Jones/Bob Crist Master Builders & Specialties Mello Joy Coffee Company Steven Santillo, APLC Stone Energy Corporation Stirling Properties Terry J. Rogers, LTD Walters Funeral Home
BRONZE Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Acadian Hills Country Club Associated Travel Group Jean Breaux, Jr. & Associates Alan Broussard David Courville–Architect Crawdaddy’s On Site Catering Derek Development Corp, LLC Joey Durel ECGC Women’s Business Center House of Faith Church Lafayette Convention & Visitors Bureau Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency Lynn Guidry–Architect Lowry’s Printing and Copying Flo Meadows Melancon I-49 Storage Center Northwood United Methodist Church Richard Leblanc/Leblanc’s Auto Wholesale Ron J. Gaubert Realtors Ken Simeral SLEMCO Buddy Webb/Rayne State Bank Sylvan Learning Center
Volume 26, Page 4
January 2011
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