Volume 3
February 2009
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. MIDSOUTH BANK REACHES OUT TO COMMUNITY IN TOWN HALL MEETINGS
Upcoming Events Meeting Schedule 2009 Mar. 18, 5:30 p.m. Location: Hub City Ford May 20 July 15 September 16 November 18 Locations to be announced. Contact: jan@upperlafayette.com
UPPER LAFAYETTE BOUNDARIES
In these troubled economic times, many people feel that credit is inaccessible or that they personally do not have a chance to be approved for personal or business credit lines. In a bold move to counter these erroneous notions, Rusty Cloutier, President and CEO of MidSouth Bank, has led a series of 14 town hall meetings which have garnered national news coverage about MidSouth’s effort to stimulate confidence and encourage the resumption of “business as usual” in our community. The main focus is on initiating active dialogue and to answer questions posed by individuals and small business owners who have been discouraged by the nay saying national media. Established in 1985, MidSouth Bank has 27 offices extending along the I-10 corridor in South Louisiana including Lafayette (9), Baton Rouge (3), New Iberia (3), Lake Charles (2), Sulphur, Jeanerette, Jennings, Thibodaux, Larose, Opelousas, Breaux Bridge, Cecilia, Morgan City and Houma, as well as seven full-service offices in the southeast region of Texas. ULEDF proudly salutes MidSouth Bank, as well ULEDF board member Beau Phares, for making our community a better place to live!
Upper Lafayette Sparks Dialogue On Need For New Performing Arts Center Frank Bradshaw, Manager of the Heymann Center, spoke at our January meeting. Recounting the history of the Center built in 1960 for a capacity crowd of 2,200 patrons, and accompanied by the Frem Boustany Convention Center, he stated that the Heymann Center turns away almost as much business as it accepts: it is booked at least 80% of the year! Jackie Lyle of PASA, and John O’Meara of the Theatre Arts League, also clarified that our community does not offer adequate venues for smaller intimate performances nor larger theatrical productions. Bradshaw provided information on other venues around the U.S., concluding that a new facility would cost between $47 million to $83 million. Parish President Joey Durel has indicated that the next step would be to study the feasibility of funding a new state of the art facility, as well as the best location if it is not rebuilt on the present site. Of course, Upper Lafayette would be our first choice!
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT… Todd Citron, Hub City Ford As the national economy continues to be volatile, there has never been more of a need for strong business leadership in our parish. We need business leaders to take a positive pro-active stand on issues that affect our community. Upper Lafayette has so much potential. Our group must continue to recruit businesses and individuals that genuinely care about long-term benefits for the people we represent. For too long, North Lafayette has been treated as inferior. In some cases, the criticism that we have gotten has been deserved, however, the thing I like most about our foundation is that we are a group that collectively is concerned about our future and not our past. Although we realize that having the Heymann Center re-locate to Upper Lafayette is a longshot, we have a vision of the success that could be mutually attained by that very move. In keeping with one of our goals as outlined in our mission statement, we must be a catalyst for new business. If Upper Lafayette is to be successful, we understand completely that Lafayette, as a whole, must benefit. As a life-long resident, it is my passion to make Lafayette the best place in America to not only do business but also to raise a family. I hope you will join our cause.
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. 100 BLACK MEN OF GREATER LAFAYETTE: COMMITTED TO SUCCESS The less fortunate among us now have a new organization committed to reaching out and lifting them up to a better tomorrow. 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette received its charter this past December 2008, and already has a visible presence in our community. You may have watched these committed men on the evening news on Martin Luther King Day, which highlighted them working to clean up MLK Memorial Parkway (Willow St.), in loving memory of Dr. King’s dedication to serving others. John Milton, board member of ULEDF, is a proud member of 100 Black Men, and he recently took the time to share the organization’s mission. 100 Black Men has a plan entitled “Four for the Future” with a focus on education, economic development, health and wellness, and lastly, a main focus on mentoring. The group is dedicated to changing our community by encouraging parental involvement to get kids out of the rut they are in. Let’s not just talk about the need for change. Please encourage others who may be interested in the 100 Black Men’s success to join this pro-active group of local men. President Milton Caesar may be reached at P. O. Box 61792, Lafayette LA 70596, or go to www.100blackmen.org for more information. Upper Lafayette is proud to have John Milton on our board, and we wish you and 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette the best of success!
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 quality of life, while participating in the overall development of the Greater Lafayette Metropolitan Area. Anyone desiring more information about our foundation is encouraged to call Jan Swift at (337)572-9877 Ext. 108 or email jan@upperlafayette.com. Also, please visit www.upperlafayette.com for a membership application and brochure.
Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation thanks its members: Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Allstates Building Systems Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Castille Properties CENAC, Inc./ Acadian Hills Country Club Joey Durel Gulf States Real Estate Services Home Furniture Hub City Ford IberiaBank Bizzuka Volume 3
IberiaBank Kidney Consultants of La. Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau Michelle Leder LLLand, LLC Lowry’s Printing and Copying McDonald’s of Acadiana Flo Meadows Moss Motors Michelle Mouton Poche Prouet & Associates Republic Beverage Company MidSouth Bank
Schilling Distributing Co., Inc. Ken Simeral SLEMCO Stevens RV Center Stirling Properties, Inc. Terry J. Rogers, Ltd. The Lolley Group, LLC Sandy Thibodeaux Whitney National Bank Ron J. Gaubert Realtors John W. Milton Don and Barbara McConnell Acadiana C.A.R.E.S.
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