Business and community leaders largely shared some cautious optimism for Acadiana's economy in 2017, but there are caveats.

This region must grapple with an uncertain state budget environment with fiscal crises, public and private, and with a worn infrastructure that challenges both our growth and quality of life, said Jason El Koubi, president and CEO of One Acadiana. Those obstacles make it hard for people to plan for growth.

"It's essential to find solutions to the fiscal crises ... especially if we want growth," El Koubi said. As for infrastructure, he added: "What got us 'here' won't get us 'there.'"

Read more...