The Vermilion Chamber of Commerce annual membership awards showcase the impact and vital role that businesses and individuals play in the overall development and well-being of our community. According to the Chamber, “Award winners set themselves apart from the competition and are outstanding representatives of our Vermilion Parish business community.”

Each year, businesses and individuals are recognized for their dedication, commitment, and contributions. Winners are nominated by their business peers based on their demonstrated commitment to the advancement of the business community.

At the end of 2018 VEDA (Vermilion Economic Development Alliance) was notified of their nomination for the Forward Vermilion Award, one that recognizes a “forward thinking company that embraces the unique Vermilion culture and exemplifies what it means to live, work and play in Vermilion Parish.”

VEDA’s Director Anne Falgout weighs in on the organization’s relationship to the community after being made aware of the nomination, “Vermilion Parish is a place known for its ingenuity, gumption, and tradition, to name a few. We are a hospitable place where people feel at home. The Alliance has made every effort to not only celebrate these attributes, but also embody them. We have utilized limited funding to create a robust program that gets Vermilion attention that would otherwise be lost. We represent the community’s true assets and show of its resiliency in our online presence and as we represent the Parish across the country. We welcome new business with open arms and work hard to make sure we nurture the good things we have – be that ideas, initiatives, or businesses. We work with the agricultural community to preserve the history of our economy, and help businesses move into the future to remain competitive. We love our residents and support them through work that ultimately means they have more options, more avenues for success. We welcome them into our “home” and feed them with knowledge, connections, and access to new and exciting things that can improve their lives (training, job opportunities, meaningful experiences). “

Ultimately the selection committee chose Vermilion Economic Development Alliance as the winner of the award and announced their decision at the Chamber’s Annual Member and Installation Banquet in January. Board President Ben Rivera, Falgout, and Board Member Gerrod Brasseux accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

“We hope we’re doing Vermilion proud, because its spirit guides our actions and motivates us to continue the good work of economic development,” Falgout adds.