News | August 2016

Inc. Magazine recently announced their list of America’s Top 500 | 5000 fastest growing companies, and Lafayette-based POTENZA Inc. was an honoree. This is the third year in a row that the Lafayette-based company is included on this prestigious list.

Ranked No. 7 in Louisiana and 1,516 nationally, POTENZA Inc. saw a jump in placement of more than 600 spots from 2015. In the last three years, POTENZA Inc. has grown over 250% with 2015 revenue earnings close to $6.6 million.

Read more...

Flood damage to houses in the nine-parish One Acadiana region are estimated from $81 million to $253 million, according to a report by Jason El Koubi, president and CEO, sent to the regional chamber of commerce’s board members.

Read more...

One Acadiana announced its partnership to establish the Louisiana Small Business Rebirth Fund.

Read more...

Crowley teen receives political advice

Grant Suire, a 13-year-old Crowley eighth-grader, asked veteran political experts James Carville and Mary Matalin for their advice to young people looking to get involved in politics.


“You have to be able to stand losing,” Matlin said at Thursday’s One Acadiana luncheon at the Cajundome Convention Center.
Carville said, “If you get interested in politics, the first thing you have to realize ... you are going to have some disappointing days and nights.”

Driving the roads in Louisiana leaves a little bit to be desired.
The issue facing the state in making improvements in that regard is a $12.7 billion hole for road and bridge repairs and maintenance.

Read more...

GRS Properties, the owners of Parc Lafayette, provided about 100 people with some nice, new shiny furniture.

“Our owner purchased all of this inventory to furnish a hotel that he had plans to build, and when the flood hit he decided he was going to donate the inventory to flood victims,” said John Bienvenu, Vice President of Development for GRS Properties.

Read more...

Business and economic development groups from across south Louisiana have teamed up to launch the Louisiana Small Business Rebirth Fund, which aims to give grants to companies hurt by the historic flood.

“Following historic flooding in South Louisiana, we are focused on providing resources and information to impacted businesses to help them get back on their feet, open their doors and serve our community,”  said Jason El Koubi, president & CEO of One Acadiana. “We are pleased to partner with chamber and economic development allies across the state on this crucial initiative.

James Carville knew eight years ago that Donald Trump, or someone just like him, was lurking on the Republican Party landscape.

He said as much after the 2008 election of Barack Obama, that an “America First” isolationist would emerge as a Republican Party force. But the Democratic Party consultant, who masterminded President Bill Clinton’s 1992 successful campaign, said changing, national demographics would work against such a leader's best political efforts.

Today, One Acadiana announced a partnership with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI); The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC); Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.); the Louisiana chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB); and the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE) to establish the Louisiana Small Business Rebirth Fund.  

Read more...

Like thousands of other flooded south Louisiana business owners, Chris Corley watched helplessly last week as rising water threatened the enterprise that feeds his family and those of his employees.

The financial losses at Shetler-Corley Motors in Crowley was $500,000 in ruined new and used vehicles, and $200,000 in damage to the showroom, offices and repair shop. And that's not counting the sales lost from being closed for more than a week.

Read more...

Archive


Subscribe to Our E‑Newsletter!

Get monthly updates on the latest news, events, and initiatives from Acadiana.