Expansion will include 33,000 square-foot facility; project to retain 60 jobs and create 10 new jobs in Acadiana
Eunice, LA – Today, One Acadiana (1A) and St. Landry Economic Development (SLED), joined Riceland Crawfish, producer of Louisiana crawfish and alligator meat products, in the announcement that the company will expand their Acadiana-based operations.
The expansion will result in 10 new direct, full-time jobs; the retention of 60 jobs; capital expenditures of $2 million in the construction of a new 33,000 sq. ft. building; and an additional $1 million spent in new equipment.
The company began as a small family-owned business selling live crawfish and has grown into one of the major crawfish and alligator processing plants in Louisiana. Riceland services both a nation-wide market and markets in the United Kingdom.
“For 30 years we have been sharing the culture and food of Acadiana across the U.S.,” said Dexter Guillory, Riceland President. “The crawfish industry in Louisiana represents a $173 million gross farm value and includes 1,543 producers. Of that state total, the Acadiana Region is responsible for producing approximately 84 percent of that total or $138 million. This represents the work of 1,232 producers, and numerous processors.”
“We are delighted to see companies like Riceland Crawfish ensure that Louisiana’s culinary excellence makes it way far beyond our borders, bringing our culture to markets far and wide,” said Governor Edwards. “Riceland’s new expansion is a testament to the skills of our workforce and to strengths of our local communities to support businesses and ensure they can grow and thrive. Our goal is to ensure that businesses like Riceland Crawfish have the tools and resources to expand and meet the demands of a growing customer base, and we congratulate them on this new chapter.”
In 2015, 1A announced agribusiness as one of the six target industries, sectors particularly suited for and attractive to the Acadiana region, and this project exemplifies that potential. In addition to giving Riceland the ability to provide crawfish products to major food distributors and retailers year-round, this expansion will provide increased opportunity for local business and support industries that provide wire for traps, bait, bags, boxes, sacks, seasoning, and other product necessary for crawfish processing.
“1A is proud to be a part of this announcement which impacts the agriculture community,” said 1A President & CEO Troy Wayman, CEcD. “The retention and expansion of Acadiana companies is important to our region’s economic growth; up to 80 percent of new jobs and capital investment in any economy are generated by existing firms. Our competitive business climate, skilled workforce, and strong infrastructure will support the company’s continued growth and success.”
“Our expansion is consumer driven. Riceland Crawfish has been asked by existing customers to increase the amount of product we are currently supplying. The additional processing space is required to meet this demand.” Doug Guillory, Riceland Operations Manager.
“Locally owned companies like Riceland are important catalysts to our area economy,” said Bill Rodier, Executive Director of St. Landry Economic Development. “At SLED, we put a high priority through our business outreach program on helping companies like Riceland pursue expansion opportunities. We are very fortunate to have the strong support of the team at 1A to help accelerate these efforts. This project represents another great example of area, regional, and state partners working together to help move St. Landry Parish forward.”
1A and SLED helped secure this expansion by leading activities related to incentive navigation, and project management.
About Riceland Crawfish
Riceland Crawfish, Inc is a producer of Louisiana crawfish and alligator meat products for clients throughout the United States. Established over thirty years ago, the family-owned business thrives in Eunice, Louisiana. Learn more at https://www.ricelandcrawfish.com
St. Landry Economic Development
St. Landry Economic Development (SLED), is committed to Moving St Landry Parish Forward through exemplary leadership and a forward-looking strategy of economic and community development initiatives designed to bring growth and prosperity to St. Landry Parish businesses, communities, its clients and youth.
About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. With more than 850 investors, members, and partners, One Acadiana serves as the voice of the regional business community. The organization is located in the city of Lafayette and serves a region of roughly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit.
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