Today, Iberia Economic Development Authority with One Acadiana (1A) and CLECO announced that a 45.29-acre site along Highway 90 has been certified under the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Certified Sites program.
Working with partners across the region, One Acadiana’s site development efforts respond to the needs of site selectors and relocating businesses. Having a landing pad for businesses is a crucial ingredient to attracting jobs and investment to the Acadiana Region.
The Progress Point site is Acadiana’s tenth certified site and is the second certified site in Iberia Parish. As a certified site, it meets the state’s priority to certify large tracts of land, known as Industrial Sites.
“This designation moves Iberia Parish up the ladder with site selectors, so I couldn’t be happier, especially since the Park will serve as the gateway into the Acadiana Regional Airport via our Airport Access Road, once complete,” said M. Larry Richard, Iberia Parish President. “This certification showcases our Parish, at a time when the state is struggling and the competition for growth is fierce. I want to publicly thank everyone involved in moving this certification process, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank our hard working Acadiana Delegation for their continued support of Iberia Parish.”
“One Acadiana’s continued focus on site certification ensures that we’re competitive when marketing South Louisiana as a great place for businesses to start, relocate, or expand,” said Troy Wayman, President & CEO of One Acadiana. “We’re taking the guess-work out of making a decision to relocate in our region. Businesses want certainty that they are making sound investments, avoiding deal-breaking ‘unknowns’, and have the ability to swiftly set up operations – that’s what our site certification process can provide decision-makers.”
A Louisiana Economic Development Certified Site is a development-ready industrial site that has completed a rigorous review process by Louisiana Economic Development and an independent, third-party engineering firm. Specific site details, such as zoning restrictions, title work, environmental studies, soil analysis and surveys, are assessed for compliance and authenticity.
Iberia Economic Development Authority and 1A worked together closely to secure the certification of this site. One Acadiana’s Site Development program is designed to increase the region’s portfolio of marketable, development-ready sites by certifying land within the nine-parish region. This is achieved through partnership between One Acadiana, local economic development partners, Louisiana Economic Development (LED), and land owners.
“Certified sites are often among the first locations site selectors and developers consider because they know these properties have specific advantages and provide a fast track to their development,” Mike Tarantino, Iberia Industrial Development Foundation, President & CEO. “As an economic development organization, IDF knows that by having its second certified site, Iberia Parish and all of the surrounding communities will benefit by having another prime “shovel ready” site for business to locate and for developers to invest in. Iberia Parish is open for business and sites like these help us to showcase why we should be a first choice for development.”
If land owners are interested in learning more about the site certification process to make their property more marketable, contact Zach Hager at Zach@OneAcadiana.org
About Iberia Economic Development Authority
The Iberia Economic Development Authority is a public, state-chartered authority that facilitates economic development activities for Iberia Parish, Louisiana. It was created as a progressive arm of government that strives to make projects happen “at the speed of business.” IEDA serves as a central hub for development activities within the parish, including collection and maintenance of vital stats and demographics, coordination between local government and potential relocating businesses, as well as establishing a plan to ensure progressive business development in the future.
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 nearly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at OneAcadiana.org
About One Acadiana’s Site Development Program
One Acadiana’s Site Development program is designed to increase the region’s portfolio of marketable, development-ready sites by certifying land within our nine-parish region. This is achieved through partnership between One Acadiana, the local economic development partners, Louisiana Economic Development (LED), and land owner.
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