Volume 4
March 2009
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. CROSS POINT GARNERS ZONING CHANGE FOR MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT
Upcoming Events Meeting Schedule 2009 May 20th at 7:30 am McDonald’s Headquarters 106 Oak Way
July 15 September 16 November 18 Locations to be announced. Contact: jan@upperlafayette.com
UPPER LAFAYETTE BOUNDARIES
Restaurants, office space, retail establishments and a hotel, coupled with residential availability: Upper Lafayette is anxiously awaiting an upscale offering to be developed by Larry Leger of LLLand, LLC, a charter member of ULEDF. Situated on a 40 acre tract off West Pont des Mouton Road, Cross Point is slated to offer amenities in a convenient location that the community will appreciate and which is easily accessible for all of Acadiana. In order to commence development, LLLand had to request a zoning change from “Growth Area District” to a general business designation in order to qualify for commercial building permits. The request was unanimously approved by the Lafayette City Parish Council, led by District 2 Councilman Jay Castille, who is also a nearby resident of the proposed development. ULEDF proudly congratulates LLLand, LLC, Mr. Leger, and ULEDF board member Mona Burris, for this victory and we wish you much success!
ULEDF IN NEED OF COMPASSIONATE VOLUNTEERS INTERESTED IN EDUCATION
As the community has grown in awareness of our foundation’s mission to promote quality of life issues for all of Upper Lafayette’s residents, we have received innumerable calls from various educators for help. Jan Swift, Executive Director of ULEDF, has been asked to serve on an advisory board for J.W. Faulk, an elementary school which is on the “watch” list for possible takeover by the state. Other school initiatives looking for assistance include Northside High’s Environmental Sciences Academy and the GEAR UP Grant program which is focusing on six middle schools in the Upper Lafayette parish with a mission to encourage the youngsters to not only stay in school, but to look ahead to obtaining a college degree. The only way our foundation will ultimately be successful is if we spread our collective resources of knowledge, compassion, experience, and in some cases, monetary resources. Anyone wanting more information or interested in serving on an Education Outreach Committee please email jan@upperlafayette.com. Thank you for realizing you can profoundly affect lives by becoming involved.
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT… Todd Citron, Hub City Ford As we all struggle to figure out exactly what is going on in terms of our National economy, Lafayette is beginning to feel the early effects of an economic slowdown. Now is the time for us to put our common concerns together and begin an action plan that will reach out an touch the citizens of Acadiana. Since becoming President of Upper Lafayette, it has never been so clear to me that our community needs leadership. I urge you to get personally involved in our movement to inspire, direct, and represent the people of Lafayette Parish. Jan and I have visited with youth group leaders and faith based organizations in Upper Lafayette. These people desperately need our involvement in order for them to have a voice. Upper Lafayette is "on the move". I hope that you share the same passion that I have for a better Lafayette and get involved.
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. STEVEN’S RV CENTER NAMED ONE OF TOP 50 DEALERS IN AMERICA! In the face of today’s slowed economy, some businesses are still flourishing and setting an example among their peers, exhibiting “best practices” in their industry. That is the story behind Stevens RV Center, a charter member of ULEDF, an Upper Lafayette dealership recently selected as one of the Top 50 Recreation Vehicle Dealers in America by RV Business magazine. “Stevens RV Center was selected for its level of outstanding personal customer service, along with sound business practices and forward thinking philosophies” according to Sherman Goldenberg, RV Business publisher. According to Milt Stevens, owner of Stevens RV, the company believes in honesty, team work, respect, loyalty, commitment to duty, work ethic and effective communication when dealing with its customers. Following the “Golden Rule” is obviously the motivating factor behind RV Stevens corporate mind-set, and ULEDF proudly salutes you in this prestigious honor! Congratulations to Milt and staff for leading your industry by example!
Milt Stevens
THANKS TO ALL WHO PLAY A ROLE IN ULEDF’S SUCCESS! Since the inception of Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation, many unsung heroes have contributed time, talent and resources to our group. We want to thank Schilling Distributing and ACS Computers for providing accounting services. Lafayette Economic Development Authority has been a continual source of inspiration and help: David Colligan has provided photography expertise and faithfully counsels our Executive Director as she learns the ropes of running an economic development foundation, Lena Styles works with Jan Swift monthly to produce this newsletter, Stacey Zawacki and Anne Falgout have contributed production assistance, and Gregg Gothreaux….well, he is Gregg Gothreaux! Michelle Leder has graciously volunteered untold hours assisting at meetings and with the original design of the newsletter. Ed Bowie of Acadiana Open Channel is waiting in the wings for our new tv show, “Upper Lafayette, On the Move!” and has been one of our biggest cheerleaders for success. Joey Durel, City-Parish President, has included ULEDF in numerous projects which raised our public profile. Ed Krampe seems to always have McDonald’s food hot, right out of the oven waiting when needed. Rob Guidry and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce have gone out of their way to welcome Jan Swift as Upper Lafayette’s rep on the Board. Sides & Associates donated the design of our ULEDF logo and our AOC tv show logo. Terry Huval’s band, Cajun Jambalaya Band, donated the song “Hey Rock!” for use in our tv show. Vidox supplied the production expertise for the intro to our tv show; Acadian Ambulance donated helicopter time for shooting overhead footage of Upper Lafayette. Bizzuka is bringing ULEDF’s web site to a new level. Poche-Prouet always has a seat at their table for Jan. Mae Ewing is an angel in more ways than any human being could ever be. Mihaela Dinu is our new videographer . And of course, our favorite ULEDF “after” meetings have centered around a cold Bud or two, compliments of Herb Schilling!
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
Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation 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 4
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 Monty Warren
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.
Page 2