UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Letter from the President: Mr. Adrian Baudoin On a beautiful evening in Upper Lafayette last month, members and guests enjoyed our annual crawfish boil at the residence of Steve and Laurie Dupuis. What an incredible event this was complete with delicious crawfish, great company, cold beverages and live music. The Dupuis’ backyard along the Coteau Ridge provided the perfect setting. We greatly appreciate the hospitality of our hosts and the other generous donors who made the evening possible.
Upcoming Events Presentation on Opportunity Machine May 25, 2011, 11:30am-1:00pm McDonald’s of Acadiana HQ 106 Oak Way Lane July Membership Meeting July 20, 2011, 11:30am-1:00pm Guest Speaker: Billy Nungesser, Plaquemines Parish President
Sean Trcalek of Delta Media was the one man show playing familiar tunes on guitar that kept the mood just right. Thanks for taking the time to be with us, Sean. Mr. Adrian Baudoin Acadiana Computer Systems
Be sure to join us for this month’s meeting when Bob Miller of the Opportunity Machine will provide insights about resources available to businesses in Acadiana. Representatives of UL and LEDA will also participate in the discussion. You definitely want to be there for this one. I have personally had the pleasure this past weekend of hosting out-of-state friends who came to Lafayette to enjoy Festival International on its 25th anniversary. Lafayette has so many great things going on that cast us in a positive light to the rest of the country and world. I sure am proud to be from Lafayette!
May Meeting to Focus on Opportunity Machine and Resources for Emerging Businesses! Upper Lafayette’s mission is to be a catalyst for growth and positive change in our community. What better way to assist hardworking business owners who wish to grow their business and increase their wealth than to host a forum highlighting the cost-free business resources available right here, right now, in our own backyard?
ULEDF Board of Directors & Staff Adrian Baudoin, President Beau Phares, V. President Todd Citron, Sec/Treas. Dr. 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
On May 25, 2011, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at McDonald’s of Acadiana’s headquarters located at 106 Oak Way Lane (near Eraste Landry/ Foreman Dr. intersection), ULEDF is hosting a forum on the Opportunity Machine (“OM”). Our guest speaker, Bob Miller, “head machinist” for OM, will lead a discussion on resources available to businesses right here in Acadiana. Joining Bob will be Dr. Joby John, Dean of UL’s B. I. Moody III College of Administration, along with Gregg Gothreaux, President /CEO of Lafayette Economic Development Authority, and Tom Cox, Golfballs.com and Immediate Past President of LEDA. The luncheon is being generously sponsored by McDonald’s of Acadiana/Casa Ole and our own ULEDF successful business entrepreneur, Ed Krampe. The first 70 people who RSVP may attend this event at no charge and enjoy a delicious Case Ole buffet! Most of the complimentary seats have already been reserved! Please network this event with your family, friends and business associates. Our goal is to help grow business and be a resource for all who can be a catalyst for positive things to happen in our community. Please RSVP to lindsey@upperlafayette.com or call Jan Swift at (337) 278-0408. We hope to see you there…who knows what the future holds for you!
Volume 30, Page 1
May 2011
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Third Annual Crawfish Boil Our third Annual Crawfish Boil was a great reason for Upper Lafayette members and guests to get together over delicious crawfish in the scenic rolling hills of Upper Lafayette! Steve and Laurie Dupuis of the Aspen Clinic graciously opened their home and grounds on Moss Street. Thank you again to Schilling Distributing and Republic National Distributing for donating beverages to the event. We are already looking forward to another great event next year! Check out our Facebook page to see more photos.
Upper Lafayette lands $65 million Halliburton expansion
Houston-based oilfield services company, Halliburton, has selected Upper Lafayette over competing locations worldwide for its new major manufacturing facility. Our community was selected as the best location over sites in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi, Brazil, Europe, West Africa and Asia. Halliburton plans to build a $65 million plant on a 40-acre tract on Pont des Mouton across from the Northpark Technology Center. The facility will produce complex machined components for oilfield service operations with state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. The plant Gov. Bobby Jindal and Halliburton Senior Vice President will have assembling and product testing operations Marc Edwards (photo by Bryan Tuck, Advocate) performed before shipping components to oil and gas producers around the world. The end result is expected to be 150 high-tech, high paying direct jobs with an annual payroll of $8 million plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) anticipates that the 150 direct jobs will create another 357 indirect jobs, generating $4.4 million in additional tax revenue over the next decade.
Jan Swift and Gov. Bobby Jindal at LEDA hosted event.
Halliburton said the construction on the 200,000-square-foot plant will begin by July. Volume 30, Page 2
May 2011
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... New Member Spotlight: The Petroleum Club of Lafayette The Petroleum Club of Lafayette has been operating as a premier, private social and dining club for nearly six decades. Located in the heart of the Oil Center (111 Heymann Blvd.), the club is a favorite of prominent professionals. Members represent every field imaginable, from up and down the I-49 Corridor and east and west from Jennings to the Mississippi River. General Manager John O’Meara ensures that Petroleum Club members enjoy the highest level of personalized service in a unique and relaxing atmosphere. From monthly themed dinners and holiday events, to bingo and afternoon teas, the Petroleum Club features monthly member events to enjoy with family, friends and business associates.
John O’Meara General Manager
Excellent food and service has been the cornerstone of the Petroleum Club’s longevity and success. Its employees create a “home-away-from-home” atmosphere that makes any visit to the Petroleum Club both comfortable and memorable. The building is resplendent with beautiful hardwood paneling, gorgeous chandeliers and plush leather chairs. The Petroleum Club’s 47,000 square foot facility is designed to accommodate functions for as many as 750 and often host functions totaling over 450 in the many private dining rooms as well as member dining simultaneously. Business casual dining is available for lunch. Dinner is served on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. Right now there is a 60-day only membership special that could earn you free food and beverage and a chance at a $2,500 American Express gift card. Initiation fee and stock purchase combined is $231.00 and monthly dues are under a hundred dollars a month. For more information and a tour, please contact the Membership Director, Jeanne Lantier at (337) 232-Club.
Bo and Jerry Ramsay with friends at bingo night.
Carencro forms Main Street Panel On March 30, 2011, the Carencro City Council and Carencro Business Association held a joint meeting to discuss community interest in preserving and improving the main street and downtown area. Carencro Mayor Glenn Brasseaux said, “Personally, I have always felt that Carencro has a unique main street and downtown. The City Council and I have always tried to be progressive while still maintaining our small town atmosphere. Preserving the ‘look’ of our downtown through planning can help us maintain that small town feeling.” Ultimately, the council voted to create a committee to look into downtown planning and accepted the offer by Michael J. Lavergne, a grant writer and appraiser, to head the new committee to begin the planning process. The first step for the committee will be to create a Louisiana Cultural District, a program through the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development (OCD). The Louisiana Cultural Districts Program’s primary goal is to spark community revitalization based on cultural activity through tax incentives. There are 51 communities statewide that have established Cultural Districts since the program began in 2005 and the results have been largely impressive, with millions of dollars in new investments and a large drop in vacant storefronts. Once a Cultural District is certified, two tax incentives take effect. First, the sales of original, one-of-a-kind works of art are exempt from local and state sales tax. Secondly, renovations to historic structures within the district may be eligible for residential and commercial state historic income tax credits. Owners of historic homes in a cultural district can get a 25 percent tax credit for restoring their properties and businesses can get up to a 50 percent credit when including federal programs. The Main Street Panel Committee will hold its first meeting May 5, 2011 to discuss Carencro’s application, which will be submitted for consideration to the Office of Cultural Development in 2012. For more information or to volunteer, call Michael Lavergne at (337) 849-2863. Volume 30, Page 3
May 2011
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... May Community Events
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7:30PM Upper Lafayette, On The Move! TV Show Acadiana Open Channel Cox 16 & LUS 4 (AOC2)
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6PM-8PM The Mercredi Show-Foret Tradition Pelican Park Concert Stage, Carencro 6:00 PM Carencro Cultural District Committee Meeting North Regional Library, Carencro
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9-12PM 4th Annual Community Health Fair Opelousas General Health System South Campus, Opelousas 1-4PM Gerald Delafose & The Zydeco Gators Band Vermilionville Performance Center, Lafayette 6:30-8:30PM In Your Own Backyard Monthly Series Vermilionville Performance Center, Lafayette
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6-8PM The Mercredi Show-Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys Pelican Park Concert Stage, Carencro 7:30PM Upper Lafayette, On The Move! TV Show Acadiana Open Channel Cox 16 & LUS 4 (AOC2) 6-8PM The Mercredi Show-Louisiana Red Pelican Park Concert Stage, Carencro 1-4PM Goldman Thibodeaux & The Lawtell Playboys Band Vermilionville Performance Center, Lafayette 11:30-1PM Upper Lafayette May Membership Meeting McDonald’s Headquarters, 106 Oak Way Lane, Lafayette
26th-5th Cajun Heartland State Fair Cajundome, Lafayette 29th
1-4PM Sheryl Cormier & Cajun Sound Band Vermilionville Performance Center, Lafayette
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 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
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 Oakbourne Country Club 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
GOLD Atmos Energy Fenstermaker & Associates Home Bank Honda of Lafayette Opelousas General Health System VALOR Commercial Real Estate
BRONZE CONT’D 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 Petroleum Club of Lafayette Pope John Paul II Academy Richard Leblanc/Leblanc’s Auto Wholesale Ron J. Gaubert Realtors Ken Simeral SLEMCO Buddy Webb/Rayne State Bank Sylvan Learning Center
Volume 30, Page 4
May 2011
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