Volume 18
May 2010
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. TWO ULEDF MEMBERS HONORED AT BUSINESS HALL OF FAME!
Upcoming Events Meetings for 2010 May 19, 11:30 a.m. LITE Center “Consolidation” July 21, 11:30 a.m. Senator Mike Michot
UPPER LAFAYETTE BOUNDARIES
On May 11, 2010, two of our own were recognized at the Daily Advertiser Business Hall of Fame gala benefiting Junior Achievement of Acadiana. This annual event honors local business leaders who make lasting contributions to Acadiana’s youth. Rusty Cloutier, President and CEO of MidSouth Bancorp, was named a Hall of Fame Laureate, a lifetime achievement award. Cherie Hebert, partner in BBR Creative, will be recognized as “Business Person of the Year.” Both honorees exemplify leadership qualities to be admired by all. Congratulations and best wishes to Rusty and Cherie! JA has been in existence since 1916 and is the world’s largest organization Rusty Cloutier—Midsouth Bank dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Students learn how to generate and manage wealth, create jobs, and learn the value of contributing to their community. “Junior Achievement bridges the gap between business and education and ties the boardroom to the classroom,” stated Stella Theriot, Director of our local chapter. The Hall of Fame event has turned out to be the biggest fundraiser of the year for JA and ULEDF encourages our members to find out more about this event and to support JA the mission of JA. Check out our Acadiana chapter at http://acadiana.ja.org to learn more about this wonderful organiza-
Cherie Hebert—BBR Creative
Acadian Hills Country Club Hosts Rotary South Fundraiser The Rotary Club of Lafayette South hosted its Fifth Annual Golf Tournament on April 26, 2010 at Acadian Hills Country Club. Rotary South partnered with Special Olympics Louisiana in this fundraising endeavor which brought in approximately $40,000, supporting the mission of providing year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for these special individuals. John Guilbeau of Acadian Hills Country Club was effusive in his praise of the community support for this charity event. “It exceeded all expectations we had for this year’s tournament! We have a very generous and giving community, who truly give from their heart and soul,” stated Guilbeau. 60% of the funds raised will be given to the Special Olympics Acadiana District, and the remaining balance will be awarded to charities Rotary South supports. Congratulations on another successful event held at gorgeous Acadian Hills! Interested in Acadian Hills Country Club? Please visit www.acadianhills.com or call 237-2781.
ULEDF Board of Directors & Staff Dr. Ross Judice, President Ed Krampe, V. President Adrian Baudoin, Sec/Treas. Todd Citron, Past Pres. Don Dupuis Andre Moreau Beau Phares Dwight Prudhomme Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling Monty Warren Jan Swift, Director
Letter from the President : Dr. Ross Judice, Acadian Ambulance We are all watching the annexation controversy with some interest over near the communities of Broussard and Youngsville. As I understand it, the new Ambassador Caffery roadway that extends from Verot School Road to Highway 90 has a tremendous commercial appeal that will generate tax revenue for municipalities. It reminds me of something Gregg Gothreaux, President and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, says about government. I always love listening to Gregg speak because of his passion for our community and his knowledge about our economy. Gregg says that "the role of government is to provide infrastructure and incentive." Through the combined investment of state and local governments, isn't that exactly what has happened here - that this new road will open the door to private investment that will in turn help government? The symbiotic relationship between good government and private business is the fuel that grows our economy, creates opportunities, and keeps Lafayette strong. My wish for Upper Lafayette is that Upper Lafayette becomes the object of so much enthusiasm and energy.
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. RIBBON CUTTINGS CELEBRATE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION! Ribbon cuttings were held May 6, 2010 for a variety of businesses sure to contribute to downtown’s revitalization into a highly desirable mecca for work, shopping, and entertainment. The Southwest Group (headed by Jim Poche) and Place De Lafayette, LLC (owned by Ed and E.J. Krampe), have redeveloped several spaces downtown, most visibly being the former Tribune building on E. Vermilion Street (across from Parc Sans Souci) which is now home to Recycle Cycles, Philippe’s Wine Cellar, and the French Press. The Southwest Group also showcased its gorgeous new facility at100 Central Street, the old Bellsouth Building. Another space retooled and on display for the celebration was the Refinery, located adjacent to Tsunami Restaurant, which caters to men only. One visit is all it takes to realize that your next trip downtown must include these new attractions! Pictured at left are Bryant Poche, Danny Nugier, Phillip Simon, Jim Poche, Philippe Prouet, Ed Krampe and E.J. Krampe.
CRAWFISH BOIL HELD AT ACADIAN OAKS CATHOLIC YOUTH RETREAT CENTER On April 22, more than 125 ULEDF members and guests enjoyed sumptuous crawfish catered by Seth Citron’s Crawdaddy's On-Site Catering at the Acadian Oaks Youth Retreat Center at 1515 E. Butcher Switch Road. The center offered a relaxing and scenic setting for our second annual event. As children ran about the lovely grounds, grown-ups enjoyed deliciously cold beer and wine provided by Schilling Distributing Company and Republic National Distributing Co. Hub City Ford provided additional underwriting to make the event possible, which included fun Cajun music played by fiddle player Bruce Schultz and accordion Ken Lyon. Thanks to all who joined us and made that beautiful spring night memorable! Anyone interested in renting Acadian Oaks Catholic Retreat Center for business or family retreats please call Natalie Broussard at (337)288-2191 or go online at www. acadianoaks.org · Pictured at left: Lafayette City Police Chief Jim Craft, Renee and Herb Schilling.
ULEDF MAY 2010 MEETING TO DISCUSS CONSOLIDATION ISSUES FACING LAFAYETTE Please plan to attend our May 19, 2010 meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the LITE Center, 537 Cajundome Blvd., for an engaging discussion on Consolidated Government in Lafayette Parish: the pros and cons of this form of government under which we have operated since 1996. ULEDF has invited Ed Abell, the attorney who was a key player in the original consolidation process, as well as City-Parish Council President Jay Castille (District 2 council member) and Dee Stanley, CAO of Lafayette Consolidated Government. Guests are welcome and encouraged. The cost for lunch, prepared by Otter’s Chicken, is $10.00. Please rsvp to jan@upperlafayette.com or call (337)572-9877 Ext. 108. 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. Contact jan@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 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 Stevens RV Center Whitney Bank
Volume 18 Page 2
BRONZE
GOLD Atmos Energy Home Bank Honda of Lafayette VALOR Commercial Real Estate
SILVER Accel Protection & Technologies Allstates Building Systems Anytime Fitness—Moss Street Aspen Clinic Associated Travel Group BBR Creative Edward Jones/Bob Crist Hallmark Jewelers Master Builders & Specialists, Inc. Mello Joy Coffee Company Steven Santillo, APLC Stirling Properties Terry J. Rogers, LTD Walters Funeral Home
Acadiana C.A.R.E.S Acadian Hills Country Club Crawdaddy’s On Site Catering Joey Durel ECGC Women’s Business Center Horace Guidry Lafayette Convention & Visitors Bureau Lafayette Health Care Clinic LeBlanc’s Auto Wholesale/Richard LeBlanc Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency Lynn Guidry Architect The Lolley Group Lowry’s Printing and Copying Flo Meadows Melancon I-49 Storage Center Northwood United Methodist Church Ron J. Gaubert Realtors Ken Simeral SLEMCO Buddy Webb/Rayne State Bank
Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority