UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE Letter from Todd Citron: Secretary-Treasurer It seems like the public sector of our economy, both local and national, are in complete turmoil. I can never recall a time when our politicians have been so unashamed of being anti-business. For me, it has become very personal. The idea of doing away with Vendor’s Comp is hard to imagine for Hub City Ford. For almost 50 years, we have collected sales tax for our municipalities and used the 2% rebate to hire and retain competent title clerks. It really disappoints me to see the government need to take that away in order to spend more money. Well, enough about the negative.
Upcoming Events Fifth Annual Crawfish Boil April 18, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Couret Farms
On the positive side, our business is really doing well. 2012 was a record year for Hub City Ford. In our annual managers meeting, we spoke of how thankful we were for such a great year and as we looked to 2013, we had only hoped that we could equal the success. Well, I am proud to report that sales are up about 17% YTD. That is a huge number considering the dealership led a five state area is sales and was #1 in Louisiana for Ford for the 10th consecutive year. We now have 146 employees and we are expanding. Our parts and service departments are running at capacity and it seems as if the Ford Motor Company has “cracked the code” when it comes to building industry leading fuel-efficient cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Todd Citron Hub City Ford
May 15, 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. SLCC Auditorium Focus on Education Dr. Natalie Harder
Of course, being located in Upper Lafayette has been the real key to our success. The accessibility of the dealership for employees and customers are reasons for the growth, however, I believe that the difference is the quality of people in Acadiana. Good people is what sets us apart from the rest of the country. Our deep faith in God along with our work ethic is, in the end, what sustains our covenant with the Almighty and for this we are eternally grateful.
Upper Lafayette to Host Fifth Annual Crawfish Boil ULEDF Board of Directors & Staff
Please join us for Upper Lafayette’s Annual Crawfish Boil on Thursday, April 18, 2012, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the lovely Couret Farms property being developed in Lafayette off Pont Des Mouton Road.
David Welch, President Cherie Hebert, V. President
Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering will once again prepare its delicious crawfish, and we are grateful to Schilling Distributing Co. for generously supplying beverages. The talented Sean Trcalek will be providing our musical entertainment. You will also not want to miss the opportunity to check out this beautiful site being developed by Robert Daigle and company.
Todd Citron, Sec./Treasurer Amos Batiste Adrian Baudoin Julie Dronet Don Dupuis
We are especially grateful to our Presenting Sponsor, IberiaBank, and Supporting Sponsor, Beau Box Commercial Real Estate, for making this fun event possible.
Ed Krampe Donna Landry Kirk LaCour
Sean Trcalek
Tickets may be purchased for $35.00 per person ($20.00 per child) online at www.upperlafayette. com/events or contact us at 769-7649 or jennifer@upperlafayette.com.
Beau Phares Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling Bryan Tabor Jerry Vascocu Monty Warren Jan Swift, Director Jennifer Thompson, Asst.
Volume 52
April 2013
Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
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Upper Lafayette Honors Paul Hilliard as 2013 Philanthropist of the Year An overflowing crowd of 175 friends, family and supporters of Hilliard gathered at the Petroleum Club to celebrate Hilliard’s wonderful life of generosity and love of community that provides a humbling lesson in being a good steward of God’s resources. Hilliard exemplifies the selfless spirit and pride of our WWII generation of heroes, as well as the successful ingenuity of a veteran oil and gas entrepreneur. Known for his self-effacing wit and ability to achieve in spite of a hard scrabble upbringing in Wisconsin, Hilliard has been a successful independent operator of Badger Oil Corporation since 1955 and has seen fit to use his success in business to help others in need. Hilliard has been involved with ULEDF since its inception in 2006 as a Platinum Member, and we thank him for his vision in wanting to see all of Upper Lafayette Parish thrive and prosper.
Don Briggs, and Madlyn and Paul Hilliard
Awarded the Civic Cup in 2003 and the esteemed national Horatio Alger Award in 2009, Hilliard has also been active in statewide associations working to improve the oil and gas industry, business, and civic endeavors, as well as being a generous benefactor in causes to help at risk children learn to read so that they can overcome poverty as he did. He and his late wife, Lulu, provided $5 million dollars in seed money to start the Paul and Lulu Hilliard Art Museum at UL – Lafayette. Leaders from his congregation at First Lutheran Church in Lafayette were on hand to honor Hilliard, and the invocation was given by First Lutheran’s Pastor Rob Miller. Hilliard’s wife, Madlyn Boustany Hilliard, read a letter written by her son, Congressman Charles Boustany, commending Hilliard on his philanthropy. Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel read a Proclamation honoring the many accomplishments of Hilliard. Special thanks to Don Briggs, LOGA President and long time friend of Paul Hilliard, for giving loving thoughts on behalf of this dear friend. We would like to thank our sponsors, the Lafayette Airport Commission and the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, for making the event a success! Upper Lafayette is a better place because of Paul Hilliard.
Cherie Hebert
WWII Veteran, Paul Hilliard Paul Hilliard being interviewed by media
Volume 52 Page 2
April 2013
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Upper Lafayette Honors Paul Hilliard as 2013 Philanthropist of the Year
Jenny Krueger and Nicole Desormeaux Top Right: Don Briggs, Brett Mellington and Linda Terry Left: Paul Hilliard and City-Parish President Joey Durel Right: Bo Ramsay and Guests
Don Briggs, Jan Swift, Pastor Rob Miller and Greg Roberts Jerry Ramsay, Cindy and Ed Krampe
Rick Chappuis and Jerry Reaux
Volume 52, Page 3
Brandon Hyde, Todd Citron and Chris Krampe
April 2013
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Lafayette Regional Airport Website Undergoes Redesign The Lafayette Regional Airport website has undergone a complete redesign. As part of its efforts to make traveling to and from Lafayette pleasant and easy for travelers, the airport has revamped its site to allow needed information to be available at the click of the mouse at http://www.lftairport.com. Travelers can check arrivals and departures, reserve rental vehicles, check the most cost efficient flights, and much more. The site now has spotlight features and videos on the website, and you can translate text into any of about 50 languages. The site also has real-time flight tracking information and maps like those found in the airport. Other improvements recently conducted have made the airport one any community can envy. The Lafayette Regional Airport recently received a $5.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation funds for runway safety improvements. The grounds at the terminal entrance have also been landscaped and improved with culturally appealing art work on display. Lafayette Regional Airport offers flights to major domestic destinations and connecting service to points around the globe. More than 400,000 thousand travelers utilize LFT annually and that number continues to grow. The Fly Lafayette Club offers enticing incentives each month to frequent travelers who sign up. Upper Lafayette proudly salutes our airport for it’s continuing success and also thanks the Airport Commission and Fly Lafayette Club for so generously serving as Presenting Sponsor of our March 2013 meeting. We encourage you to fly local, and Fly Lafayette!
Transportation Recreational Alternatives in Louisiana “TRAIL” Encourages Bike Safety and Sharing the Roadways Transportation Recreational Alternatives In Louisiana or “TRAIL” and its biggest supporter, Scott Schilling, are busily working to improve options for runners, pedestrians and bicyclists. On a recent episode of Upper Lafayette On the Move, Jan Swift interviewed Schilling and Kat Crappel of TRAIL about upcoming events and the progress TRAIL is making. TRAIL was created in 2005 to promote developing a comprehensive Bikeway Plan for our community. Schilling and other visionaries realized our community needed a design for a useful bicycle infrastructure. TRAIL launched Bike Lafayette to start a public awareness campaign to teach bike safety. For more information oplease see www.latrail.org and www.bikelafayette.org. Lafayette Consolidated Government has designated April 2013 as “Bike Month” and April 12 as “bike day,” with the intention of encouraging residents to bike to work and around town, as well as to encourage bike safety for all of us sharing the roadways. Upcoming events promoting biking include FestiVELO de Lafayette which kicks off the month’s biking events on April 7. Also scheduled this month are Cycle Zydeco (April 4 – 7) and the Bicycle Scavenger Hunt around downtown Lafayette on April 20. Le Tour de Festival ride is on the last day of Festival International, April 28, 2013. Friends of Acadiana Park Nature Station and TRAIL have teamed up to build running and walking nature trails on over 100 acres just north of the Acadian Nature Station on the Francois Coulee, This 4 mile trail directly connects the Acadiana Park Nature Station via a bridge over the Francois Coulee, which will make the Nature Station Trail one of the longest of its kind in the Acadiana area south of Chicot State Park. Funds are being raised by Friend of Acadiana Nature Trail & Station (ANTS) or continued improvements to the trails and needed supplies such as a computer and projector and other items. Upper Lafayette salutes TRAIL and Bike Lafayette, for making our community great!
Volume 52, Page 4
April 2013
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Scott Celebrates Boudin Festival Reporting on Scott, as well as the town’s beloved Mayor Purvis Morrison, is always fun. In keeping with that fun spirit, Scott will be celebrating its title, “Boudin Capital of the World,” at its first Boudin Festival on April 5 – 7, 2013. On March 25, Scott showcased the Festival’s t-shirt and poster promoting Scott as the place “Where the West begins and the boudin never ends.” Local artist, Brad Boudreaux, designed this year’s poster as well as Scott’s official logo. He used the train in the city’s logo as inspiration for this year’s poster. “I just wanted it to represent Scott, and it was an honor for me to do it,” Boudreaux said. Some of the area’s most popular boudin retailers include Best Stop Supermarket; Don’s Specialty Meats; Billy’s Boudin & Cracklins; Early’s Food Store; Mike’s Country Corner and Romero’s Grocery. With all of these delicious places to get a bite (or two!) of boudin, Scott has gained national acclaim, even being showcased on NBC’s Today Show in 2012. Many may remember last year’s legislative session when lawmakers first named Scott the “boudin capital of the world.” State Rep. Stephen Ortego and State Sen. Jonathan Perry sponsored the bill, which was not easily passed. Jennings had already been named the “Boudin Capital of the Universe” years ago. When defending this audacious claim by Scott, Ortego reportedly stated with a straight face that “the city of Scott is not asking for the universe. They’re asking for the world.” “We really, truly are the Boudin Capital of the World,” said Scott Mayor Purvis Morrison, citing statistics that businesses in Scott made and sold a total of 1.5 million pounds of boudin last year. The boudin industry employs 80 people in this city of nearly 9,000 residents. Musical performances will include Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns and Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie. There will be arts and crafts, carnival rides and games, vendors and, of course, boudin! The Scott Boudin Festival will take place from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, April 5; from 10 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6; and from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday, April 7, at Scott’s City Hall, 125 Lions Club Road.
Mercredi Show Commences 2013 Spring Season The popular Mercredi Show commences its 2013 Spring Season at Carencro’s Pelican Park on April 10, 2013. This free, family-friendly outdoor concert series is scheduled from 6:00-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday evening through May 15th. The concert series, which showcases popular local bands, also is held every Wednesday in September through the second Wednesday in October each year. The Mercredi Show concert is an outgrowth of a similar event in Dieppe, Canada, Carencro’s sister city, and is hosted by the City of Carencro and Carencro’s Parks and Recreation Commission. C’est magnifique! The performance lineup for the 2013 Spring session:
April 10 -
Travis Matte & The Kingpins
April 17 -
The Foret Tradition
April 24 -
Da Classics
May 1 -
Horace Trahan & The Ossun Express
May 8 -
Jo-El Sonnier
May 15 -
The Nik-L-Beer Band
May 22 -
Gregg Martinez & The Delta Kings
Volume 52, Page 5
April 2013
www.upperlafayette.com
Upper Lafayette Welcomes Northside High School Interns
U
pper Lafayette is excited to welcome four Northside High School students to be our interns.
These four students were chosen by their principal, Melinda Voorhies. Principal Voorhies chose the four students because she felt they exemplified the values of what Northside High School is really about. Zanna Smith, Christopher Cormier, Kaci Wiltz, and Natalie Bruno are the students who were chosen to participate in internship for our organization. They are all dedicated seniors working towards their graduation in 2013. We are very thankful to have each and every one of them assisting us.
Z
anna Smith is a student that’s very involved at Northside High School. She’s currently the Captain on the NHS Dance Team, Vice President of National Honor Society, Vice President of Student Council, Secretary of the Key Club, a member of the Link Crew, and also a member of the National Beta Club. With all of the extra-curricular organizations she’s participated in at school, Zanna still manages to maintain a 3.8 GPA. She’s currently ranked 3rd in her senior class. After high school, Zanna plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and major in the distinguished field of Nursing so that she can soon become a Neonatal Nurse. Zanna also plans to have a minor in the study of Dance. Her ultimate dream is to one day open up her own dance studio and become a dance choreographer.
Christopher Cormier
is a well-rounded student who is heavily involved. His many activities include Lead Commissioner of Link Crew, President of National Honor Society, Key Club member, National Beta Club member, Upward Bound, National Society of High School Scholars, is Dual-Enrolled at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. With so much on his plate, Christopher has continued to maintain a 3.7 GPA and he’s ranked 4th in his class. Upon completing high school, Christopher plans to continue his education at UL-Lafayette and major in Accounting. Christopher also plans to receive his MBA. His ultimate goal in life is to become a CPA and to work his way up in the banking industry.
K
aci Wiltz can be best described as smart, outgoing, and a good all-rounder. She is 18 and a senior at Northside High. She is ranked fifth in her senior class and is involved in various activities such as the Viking Regiment (Band), National Honor Society, a commissioner for Link Crew, Student Council member, and Senior Class Secretary. Her short term goal as of now is to attend UL and major in nursing.
Natalie Bruno
is a 17 year old senior at Northside High School. She is currently in many organizations on campus such as National Honor Society, NHS Drill SQUAD, Literary Club, Vice President of her class, Speech and Debate, Link Crew and Beta Club. She was accepted in Spelman College and plans to major in Psychology and minor in Physical Therapy. Her hobbies include singing, acting, writing, performing, dancing, and reading.
Volume 52, Page 6
April 2013
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Ron Gaubert Shares Thoughts on Desirability of Upper Lafayette Corridor Lafayette North is in the cross hairs of nationwide searches as businesses look to locate in the corridor at I-10 and I-49. As a realtor and owner of Ron Gaubert Realtors, it is an exciting time to be in the real estate business. Ron Gaubert Realtors has reached out nationwide to find logistic companies that are looking for the right spot to bring in distribution points for various companies such as Auto Zone, Advanced Auto, and similar parts distributors. Truck drivers have only a certain amount of hours they can drive legally, so it is important to bring in their large loads and distribute to smaller trucks for distribution to Auto Zone, Advanced Auto, furniture stores, etc. Ron Gaubert
In the past year, Ron Gaubert Realtors has located two companies in Upper Lafayette. Fed X Freight is located just over the overpass on Ambassador Caffery, and South Eastern Freight will be building their facility about four miles north of I-10. We are searching with other national companies on various projects for hotel and hospitality business and large apartment sites. Of course, residential subdivisions such as Beau Bassin of which Ron Gaubert Realtors put together and is almost sold out at this time, are also in big demand. There is so much business out there that it is hard to keep up. We just completed Phase 1 of Garber Industrial Park off of Bernard and Garber road which consisted of 85 acres. All of Phase 1 (35 Acres) is under contract or sold, and Phase II is in the process of developing roads for large companies to locate. While Garber Industrial Park is located close to Broussard , it still shows the importance to the I-49 and I-10 corridor. Reasons for the influx of interest in North Lafayette has to do with the many articles written about the quality of life in Lafayette Parish, the low employment rates, lower insurance rates north of I-10, not congested, but most of all, accessibility. Time is money in the logistics business.
Volume 52, Page 7
April 2013
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Upper Lafayette May Meeting to Focus on Education Please mark your calendar for Upper Lafayette’s meeting on May 19, 2013, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., where we will focus on Education and hear from Dr. Natalie Harder, Chancellor of South Louisiana Community College. Dr. Harder is passionate about the importance of post-secondary education, and this is a meeting you will not want to miss! Special thanks to our sponsors Advancial Federal Credit Union and AT&T, and our host South Louisiana Community College, for making this event possible:
Dr. Natalie Harder
Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation Mission Statement “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.”
For membership information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jan Swift at jan@upperlafayette.com or 337-769-7649
Special Thanks to Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation Supporters PLATINUM Members Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Couret Farms Cox Communications Home Furniture Hub City Ford IberiaBank Lafayette General Medical Center McDonald’s of Acadiana MidSouth Bank Our Lady of Lourdes Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company Stone Energy Corporation Whitney National Bank GOLD Members Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Atmos Energy Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Dupre’ Logistics, LLC Home Bank Omni Energy Services Pixus Digital Printing Tobacco Free Living
Volume 52, Page 8
SILVER Members Ace Plumbing, Inc. BBR Creative Edward Jones/Bob Crist Excelerant Guidry’s Uniforms Master Builders & Specialists, Inc. Oakbourne Country Club Opelousas General Health System Rader Solutions Shelf Energy, LLC SLEMCO The Southwest Group Stirling Properties Walters Funeral Home BRONZE Members Acadiana Symphony Orchestra Advancial Federal Credit Union Aspen Clinic Associated Travel Jean C. Breaux, Jr. & Associates Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, Inc. Community Foundation of Acadiana Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering Derek Development Corp., LLC Joey Durel Lynn Guidry, Architect John Paul The Great Academy Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic
April 2013
BRONZE Members Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency Lowry’s Printing and Copying Flo Meadows, Coldwell Banker Melancon I-49 Storage Center Petroleum Club Ron J. Gaubert Realtors W. W. Rucks, III Second Harvest Food Bank Sylvan Learning Center Terry J. Rogers WorldPay SPONSORS PLATINUM IberiaBank Lafayette Airport Commission Schilling Distributing Company Stone Energy GOLD AT&T Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Hub City Ford LOGA Tobacco Free Living SILVER Acadian Companies Advancial Federal Credit Union BRONZE City of Carencro City of Scott Scott Police Dept.
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