LAFAYETTE, La. – Today, Broussard Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and St. Martin Economic Development Authority (SMEDA) with One Acadiana (1A) and SLEMCO announced that a 49.74-acre site located at the Spanish Trail Industrial Park 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 Spanish Trail Industrial Park Site is Acadiana’s 16th certified site and is the first certified site in St. Martin Parish. As a certified site, it meets the state’s priority to certify large tracts of land, known as Industrial Sites.
“I want to commend the Broussard Economic Development Corporation and the great work they have done with local, regional, and state partners to achieve the certification of the Spanish Trail Industrial Park Site here in Broussard,” said Broussard Mayor Ray Bourque. “This certification demonstrates that we have a strong commitment to growth, making us more competitive and marketable to industries and developers.”
“We congratulate Broussard, St. Martin Parish and One Acadiana for their vision in pursuing this important LED Certified Site designation,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “In the past year alone, we have attracted projects bringing more than $1 billion in new capital investment and hundreds of jobs to Louisiana sites that are certified by LED as project-ready. We look forward to future success at the Spanish Trail Industrial Park.”
“This certification is an exciting milestone not only for St. Martin Parish, but for the Acadiana region as a whole,” said Troy Wayman, President & CEO of One Acadiana. “With the addition of this site, the portfolio of sites now includes all nine of 1A’s parishes.”
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.
BEDC, SMEDA, SLEMCO 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, and landowners.
Jennifer Stelly, Executive Director, St. Martin Economic Development Authority said “SMEDA is proud to be a partner in the certification of this site and grateful to all the parties involved in making this happen. With this certified site, St. Martin Parish will now have a presence in the state’s portfolio of development ready properties that we have never had before. This certification will give us an advantage that we were previously lacking, and we are excited by the benefits, and potential job growth it could produce.”
BEDC Board President Toby Armentor said, “The mission of the Broussard Economic Development Corporation is to identify opportunities for long-term economic growth, financial sustainability, and a meaningful quality of life for our city and our residents. This Site Certification certainly aligns with that mission, giving us a competitive edge in marketing our city to companies and developers. We will continue to work with local landowners to certify future sites, incentivize growth, and put the City of Broussard on the Louisiana Economic Development map.”
If landowners are interested in learning more about the site certification process to make their property more marketable, contact Zach Hager at Zach@OneAcadiana.org
About Broussard Economic Development Corporation
The mission of the Broussard Economic Development Board is to serve the community of Broussard and its elected governing entity by identifying opportunities for long-term economic growth, financial sustainability, and a meaningful quality of life.
About St. Martin Economic Development Authority
The St. Martin Economic Development Authority offers resources that stimulate the growth of St. Martin Parish’s economy by creating and maintaining an optimum environment for new and existing businesses, offering services that facilitate the growth and expansion of businesses, and generating opportunities to increase the sales tax base of the communities in St. Martin.
About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. With more than 800 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 landowner.