NEW IBERIA, La. – Today, One Acadiana (1A) in partnership with the Acadiana Regional Airport (ARA), CLECO, Iberia Industrial Development Foundation (IDF), Iberia Parish Government, Louisiana Economic Development (LED), and Aviation Exteriors Louisiana (AVEX) announced a series of significant site development and business expansion milestones in Iberia Parish. A 178.95-acre sitelocated in Iberia Parish has been certified under One Acadiana’s Site Development Program in partnership with LED, and an existing certified site at the Acadiana Regional Airport has been selected to receive a $10 million investment by LED’s FastSites program which will support an expansion of AVEX’s business operations.
The newly certified Acadiana Regional Airport P-5 site is located on Acadiana Regional Airport property right off US Highway 90. The site’s location allows easy access to Interstate 49 and is just under 8 miles to the Port of Iberia. One Acadiana’s Site Development Program is designed to expand the region’s portfolio of marketable, development-ready sites by identifying vetted properties with strong development potential and completing the due diligence needed to better position them for business attraction across the nine-parish region. By aligning site readiness efforts with the expectations of site location consultants and expanding businesses, the program helps the region compete more effectively for new investment. Since its inception, One Acadiana has certified 31 sites, representing nearly 3,000 acres of development-ready land across Acadiana.
Acadiana Regional Airport’s P-1 site, certified through 1A’s Site Development Program in 2016, was selected as one of 19 sites statewide to receive funding through LED’s FastSites Program, underscoring the long-term value of proactive site certification. Backed by the $150 million Site Investment and Infrastructure Improvement Fund, FastSites is designed to deliver development ready, infrastructure-prepped sites for businesses to build and grow quickly.
One Acadiana worked closely with ARA and local partners to support the competitive FastSites application for P-1, helping demonstrate the site’s growth potential, return on investment, economic impact, and readiness for additional development. In March, P-1 was selected to move forward in the program, receiving $10 million for targeted improvements which will support the expansion of aviation company, AVEX.
LED’s FastSites investment in ARA P1 will support the development of a new hanger complex featuring:
- A three-bay, B767-size aircraft maintenance hangar
- Expanded administrative offices, shops and warehousing and training facilities
- Enhanced operational space to accommodate increasing customer demand
Site preparation has already begun, and construction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027. With the construction of this new facility, AVEX is poised to double its operational capacity, create additional high-quality aviation jobs and further strengthen Acadiana’s aerospace industry.
The company is expected to create 249 direct new jobs while retaining 183 current positions. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 596 indirect new jobs, for a total of 845 potential new job opportunities in the Acadiana Region.
“FastSites is about making disciplined investments that create long-term returns for Louisiana and our people,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “As development moves forward, those dollars return to the state and can be reinvested into the next generation of sites and infrastructure projects, creating a sustainable model that continues positioning Louisiana to win. We are proud to support AVEX’s continued growth and are grateful for their continued commitment to our state.”
“Today’s announcements are a powerful example of why One Acadiana has made site readiness a core part of our regional economic development strategy,” said One Acadiana President & CEO Troy Wayman. “Through our Site Development Program, we have worked for years to build a stronger portfolio of certified, development-ready sites across Acadiana and to support local partners as they pursue opportunities to advance those sites. We commend LED and the state legislature for recognizing the importance of site development funds and for selecting ARA’s P1 in the first round of FastSites investments. AVEX’s expansion on a site certified through our program in 2016 demonstrates how these efforts work together; identifying sites with strong development potential, completing the due diligence needed to position them for investment, and leveraging additional resources to support business growth. We are proud to celebrate this milestone and remain committed to expanding Acadiana’s inventory of shovel-ready sites to compete for new jobs and investment.”
“This expansion represents more than just physical growth—it’s a commitment to our people and our community,” said Jerry Hernandez, Owner/CEO of AVEX and a veteran of the aviation industry. “From day one, our mission has been to create opportunities, invest in local talent, and build something that delivers lasting economic value. This new hangar allows us to do even more of that. We are proud to grow here in New Iberia, creating meaningful careers while contributing to the economic vitality of this community. It’s truly a win-win for AVEX, state of Louisiana, Iberia Parish and a great development opportunity of Acadiana Regional Airport.”
“The East Side Development Project is a huge step in developing an economic and workforce development driver for the Acadiana Region,” said Executive Director of the Acadiana Regional Airport Moe Songy. “We commend the Federal and State funding sources that have made this dream a reality, and this couldn’t be possible without the dedication of our federal, state, and local political delegations to bring this project to fruition. Hopefully, this project will lead to continuous growth for Aviation Exteriors, the Acadiana Regional Airport, and the Acadiana region as a whole. I thank the Iberia Parish Airport Authority Commissioners and employees for their hard work developing this project.”
“This groundbreaking marks an exciting step forward for the Acadiana Regional Airport and Iberia Parish,” said Iberia Industrial Development Foundation President & CEO Mike Tarantino. “The East Side Development Project reflects our continued commitment to growing our aviation sector and supporting companies like Aviation Exteriors that are creating quality jobs and driving investment in our community.”
“Every certified site added to Louisiana’s inventory makes the state a stronger competitor on the national stage,” said Amy S. Thibodeaux of Cleco Power. “Site selectors move quickly, and a certified site tells them that Iberia Parish has already done the work — the studies are complete, the questions have been answered, and the site is ready for development. Cleco is honored to be a partner in this effort alongside LED and our Regional Partners. Growing this inventory, site by site, is exactly how we attract the quality investment and jobs our communities deserve.”
“The East Side Development at Acadiana Regional Airport represents a major investment in the future of Iberia Parish and the Acadiana region,” said Iberia Parish President M. Larry Richard. “This project is expected to create quality jobs, support long-term economic growth, and strengthen our aviation industry. I am proud to support this development because it will help bring new opportunities to our community, encourage continued investment, and keep our region moving forward in a positive direction.”
To learn more about One Acadiana’s Site Development Program, click HERE. Landowners interested in learning more about how the site certification process can make their property more marketable can contact 1A Economic Development Director, Megan Malmay Duhon, at Megan@OneAcadiana.org.
About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the chamber of commerce for Lafayette and leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. The organization is one of four in the nation to hold both an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) accreditation and a five-star U.S. Chamber of Commerce accreditation. With more than 850 members, 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.