News | October 2021

BATON ROUGE, LA – U.S. energy was the most obvious and preferred source to combat rising gasoline prices and provide climate-advantaged production at today’s USA Offshore Energy Gulf Coast Webcast. Organized by One Acadiana, the webcast featured Scott A. Angelle, former LA Lieutenant Governor and federal energy regulator. Angelle discussed the economic and environmental value of U.S. energy production for businesses along the Gulf coast and the Nation.

1. Give us a brief history of your organization. 

Maddie’s Footprints was established in 2010 to assist families facing miscarriage, stillbirth or loss of an infant. We offer financial assistance with funeral or medical bills associated with the loss, as well as emotional support through support groups, workshops and retreats. We also pay for professional grief counseling should one of our parents have a need for more in depth support.

This November 27th be a part of the annual holiday shopping tradition that brings together communities in support of their favorite small businesses. Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) is a nationwide movement with local impact.

The Vermilion Economic Development Alliance (VEDA) invites the business community and residents to be a part of the effort.

Letter to the Editor from Elizabeth Abdalla:

I’m proud to have owned and operated Abform Workwear out of Lafayette for 40 years. I love this city and the state of Louisiana — this is my home.

However, one area where we need to improve is our complicated sales tax collection system.

A national polling firm will conduct a quality of life survey among Lafayette Parish residents starting soon

One Acadiana has commissioned the survey through Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, which will call Lafayette residents starting in mid-October to ask questions about quality of life, including economic conditions, job security, educational opportunities, cultural opportunities and safety.

One Acadiana officials are encouraging residents to answer the call, which could take about 15 minutes.

1. Give us a brief history of your organization. 

Conversation Starters© began in 2017 as a grassroots effort to host necessary, and sometimes, uncomfortable conversations about race, by three women with nearly forty years of combined facilitation experience. Our team has evolved to include a statistician, administrator, digital media manager and business consultant and a dozen trained facilitators who are diverse in age, racial and ethnic identity and backgrounds.

Unique Poll to Measure Quality of Life in Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, La. – Lafayette Parish residents who want to help improve quality of life in the community are being encouraged to “answer the call.” A literal call. Taking approximately 15 minutes, a quality-of-life survey will be conducted through both landlines and cell phones across Lafayette Parish.

Lafayette Parish residents are being encouraged to participate in a "quality of life" survey starting in mid-October.

One Acadiana has commissioned the survey through a nationally recognized independent polling firm, Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy. Residents who want to "help improve quality of life in the community" are asked to participate in the 15-minute call, which will be conducted through both landlines and cell phones across the parish.

LAFAYETTE, LA. (KLFY) — There are four constitutional amendments on the Nov. 13 ballot. Local economists say that two of them can greatly impact small businesses.

One Acadiana is working to educate the public on amendment number one and two on the Nov. 13 ballot. “Those two amendments would lower tax rates and create more jobs in Louisiana. The constitutional amendments are always complicated. People want an explanation on what they’re being asked to vote on so we try to provide the fax,” says Andre Breaux.

Acadiana - Economies around the country took a hit during the start of the covid-19 pandemic. Over a year-and-a-half later and many have begun to rebound, including Acadiana.

While some economies were hit harder than others, CEO of One Acadiana, Troy Wayman says the impact of the pandemic on the Acadiana economy was not as bad as projected.

"The actual impacts were not as significant as we expected them to be," Wayman said. "So, it was a little easier for us to rebound in 2021."