News | December 2019

Gov. John Bel Edwards and Supreme Rice President and CEO Bobby Hanks announced a $20 million expansion of the rice mill’s facilities in Crowley, Louisiana. The project will secure the company’s position as a leading rice processor by adding 25,000 square feet of manufacturing space, bringing the facility to 75,000 square feet.

Company to retain 150 jobs statewide, expand existing facility as 85th anniversary approaches

CROWLEY, La. — Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Supreme Rice President and CEO Bobby Hanks announced a $20 million expansion of the rice mill’s facilities in Crowley, Louisiana. The project will secure the company’s position as a leading rice processor by adding 25,000 square feet of manufacturing space, bringing the facility to 75,000 square feet.

Invest Acadiana, a joint initiative between One Acadiana and the Acadiana Planning Commission aimed at promoting Opportunity Zone investment, has been recognized as being "committed to achieving equitable economic growth in underserved and overlooked communities."

The Forbes OZ 20: Top Opportunity Zone Catalysts released a list recognizing 20 community organizations and Opportunity Zone funds. The list is a partnership between Forbes and the Sorenson Impact Center, a think tank.

Invest Acadiana, a joint initiative of Acadiana Planning Commission and One Acadiana, was recognized as a leading Opportunity Zone Community in new national list

The Forbes OZ 20: Top Opportunity Zone Catalysts, a partnership between the Sorenson Impact Center and Forbes, recognized Invest Acadiana among 20 community organizations and OZ Funds that are committed to achieving equitable economic growth in underserved and overlooked communities.

Two Louisiana-based magazines, Louisiana Life and Acadiana Profile, made journalistic history in 2019 when they tied for first place in a nationwide magazine competition. The publications were each awarded “Magazine of the Year” designation by the International and Regional Magazine Association (IRMA). This was the first time that the 59-year-old Association has ever had a tie for its most prestigious award. Adding to the surprise is that both magazines are published by the same company, Renaissance Publishing.

Invest Acadiana — a joint initiative between the Acadiana Planning Commission and One Acadiana to promote Opportunity Zones — is hosting a "Shark Tank" style pitch competition for potential opportunity zone projects.

The competition, which will be April 22, the opening night of Festival International de Louisiane, is aimed at connecting local Opportunity Zone projects with local and national investors. There will be an interest meeting Dec. 11 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Jefferson Street Pub in Lafayette.

A company that develops, manufactures and distributes a wide range of authentic Cajun food products, Savoie’s Sausage and Food Products Inc. plans a $12.7 million expansion of its food production facility in St. Landry Parish near Opelousas, Louisiana.

Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux is in his last month as the parish’s chief executive, and on Wednesday he contemplated the challenges, lessons and regrets of his single term.

Robideaux said his toughest decision as mayor-president was opposing the changes to Lafayette’s Home Rule Charter that created two separate councils.

“Conceptually, it made all the sense in the world. I don’t think anybody felt like the city of Lafayette shouldn’t have its autonomy, the same as the other municipalities,” Robideaux said at a Wednesday discussion hosted by One Acadiana.