News | October 2020

(Lafayette, La.) - With hurricane activity this year on par with the record-breaking storms of 2005, Louisiana has been no stranger to the damage a hurricane can cause and the lasting effects they have on communities. In response to the distress of its neighbors, Lafayette Parish leaders have partnered to create “Hospitality Hub”. Hospitality Hub is an online resource for those staying in Lafayette after being displaced by disaster.

How can a regional economic development planning commission help their communities leverage their Opportunity Zone designations? Invest Acadiana serves as a perfect example.

Chad LaComb is the economic development planner for the Acadiana Planning Commission (APC), a regional EDA organization located in Lafayette, Louisiana. APC has partnered with their regional chamber of commerce and community philanthropic foundation to create Invest Acadiana, an initiative to promote Opportunity Zone investment in the region.

Keys Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic, a mental health and substance abuse clinic in New Iberia, was named the winner of Innovate South's OZ Pitch Fest on Wednesday, which could help the clinic attract the investors necessary to expand.

Keys Outpatient Behavioral Health Center of New Iberia is the winner of the first Opportunity Zone PitchFest 2020 competition Wednesday at the Innovate South conference.

The event, a “Shark-Tank style” pitch competition, was developed by Invest Acadiana, the Acadiana Planning Commission and Opportunity Machine to help provide funding for projects in Opportunity Zones.

Lafayette, LA, Oct. 26, 2020 – Founded in Lafayette in 2014, ADP Solutions is now 3Circle Solutions.

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ZOOSIANA (Zoo of Acadiana) has been caring for and loving animals since 1992!  At nearly 30 years old, Zoosiana is home to more than 1,000 animals representing over 125 species – some of which are endangered.

Investar National Bank has named Byron Breaux as Acadiana market president and senior vice president, bank officials announced Monday.

Breaux has more than 35 years banking experience in the Lafayette market. He was recently with Hancock Whitney Bank where he was senior group manager.

His position with Investar includes overseeing the bank’s footprint in the region, which includes two Lafayette offices and three in Evangeline Parish.

BROUSSARD, LA: Zoosiana proudly announces the exciting birth of a female giraffe calf named Millie! Experienced mom, Evangeline, gave birth to Millie on Sunday morning, September 20, 2020. Millie stands a little taller than 5 feet and weighs about 130 pounds!

Millie’s parents, Evangeline and Gabriel, and big sister, Josie, are all doing great and are each helping Millie along.

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The Lafayette Parish School System is offering free in-home internet assistance for residents who qualify for the program.

This service provides academic-filtered internet access for LPSS students only (limited/restrictive access to certain websites) and will be provided through either Cox Communications or LUS Fiber.