St. Martin Parish Economic Profile

Where Cajun Began

With a population of approximately 53,000, St. Martin Parish is part of the Lafayette MSA and sits at the corridor of both Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 90. St. Martin Parish is the only parish to have non-contiguous parts, in that, there are three major geographical areas dividing the 740 square mile parish, including the Atchafalaya Basin, the prairie, and the Bayou Teche area, on which several noteworthy cities, including the parish seat of St. Martinville, are located.

From the Bayou Teche to the Atchafalaya Basin, St. Martin Parish is a picturesque and bountiful region. Rich in agriculture, visitors are taken through sugar cane fields, low-lying swamp land, and rolling hills. Majestic live oaks draped with moss are scattered along roadways, where bald cypress trees and wildlife abound.

Central Location

St. Martin Parish’s central location in Acadiana and Southern Louisiana offers access to exceptional schools, healthcare, and endless recreation. Entrepreneurs looking to take advantage of St. Martin Parish’s business-friendly environment, skilled workforce, and convenient locale near two regional airports and major roadways, are welcome to settle in to the SMEDA Business Park, near U.S. Highway 90, or Commercial Park East, located just off Interstate 10 in Breaux Bridge. Here in St. Martin Parish, we understand that success for local businesses means success for all the community.

A Truly Unique Place

Where Cajun Began….Breaux Bridge, Crawfish Capital of the World; Henderson, the Gateway to the Atchafalaya Basin; St. Martinville, Home of Evangeline. A unique part of Cajun Country exists in St. Martin Parish, where you can find Cajun or Zydeco music playing every day. The area’s incredible diversity of waterways and wildlife attract biologists and tourists alike. Lake Martin, a shallow lake ringed with cypress and tupelo trees, is one preservation in the area which is home to significant numbers of wading bird rookeries. From late February to late July, you will find little blue herons, barred and great horned owls, night-herons, roseate spoonbills, white ibis, egrets, and plentiful alligators.

Inviting Atmosphere

From dancing to shopping to exploring nature, St. Martin Parish offers a variety of activities for your enjoyment. Located just two hours west of New Orleans, St Martin Parish holds the true essence of Cajun and Creole. It’s where food is almost a religion, where people play just as hard as they work, and where history is alive and well.

Contact

Jennifer Stelly
Executive Director, St. Martin Economic Development Authority
jstelly@stmartinparish.net
337-441-9388

St. Martin Test

The beauty and charm of St. Martin Parish attracts visitors from all over the world.

The Right Location is Waiting for You

We’ve got acres of opportunity

St. Martin Parish Partners

St. Martin Parish’s local and area agencies and organizations work collaboratively to leverage the strengths of each entity to create opportunities for business expansion and to bring new businesses into the area, both of which will create better paying jobs; thereby, improve living standards and ensuring sustainable growth.

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 both new and existing businesses, offering services that facilitate the growth and expansion of those businesses, and generating opportunities to increase the sales tax base of the communities in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. A nine-member Board of Directors representing a vast range of the economy works together with the SMEDA Executive Director, in cooperative efforts with the parish government, to provide answers to problems unique to the parish, and provide information and assistance to businesses

St. Martin Parish Government

The St. Martin Parish Government appreciates business investments in the parish, and believes the jobs they create and the commitment they have made are the backbone of St. Martin’s economy. It stands ready to assist current and new business.

Chambers of Commerce – Arnaudville, Breaux Bridge, and St. Martinville

St. Martin Parish has three active and vital chambers of commerce serving the citizens and business community of the parish: Arnaudville, Breaux Bridge, and St. Martinville.

St. Martin Parish Tourist Commission

Visit St. Martin Parish and discover a way of life that is spiced with a blend of historical and cultural ingredients. A recipe for everything that is Cajun, where Cajun began…in 1765. Determined to make this maze of bayous and swamps their home, early Acadians fished, trapped, and farmed their land. Today, take a stroll through our historic downtowns of Breaux Bridge and St. Martinville or taste authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine in one of our many family owned restaurants while you two-step to a Cajun waltz.
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We are truly coming together as an effective regional voice for business. One Acadiana is living up to its name. In sharing our ideas and our concerns across parish lines, we are able to work collaboratively to help fight for business at the local, regional, and state level.

GLENN ANGELLE

OWNER & PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT, ANGELLE ARCHITECTS

Explore Our Region

Vermilion Parish

Vermilion Parish is known for its fresh seafood, bountiful agriculture, great access via road and waterways, and a rich history of cultural and eco tourism. This bilingual (English/French), coastal parish is large and diverse with wandering bayous and farmlands, authentic local cuisine, family-friendly festivals and Cajun towns connecting it all. Vermilion is centrally located in the southern part of Louisiana immediately adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. This proximity to the Gulf makes the parish an ideal location for the numerous companies needed to serve this region’s oil and gas industry.

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St. Mary Parish

In St. Mary Parish – or “The Cajun Coast” – the blending of French, Italian, Spanish, English, African, Native American, and Cajun traditions created a rich and flavorful “gumbo” of communities. The Atchafalaya River basin and the Gulf of Mexico serve as the lifeblood for the parish, which is composed of five municipalities: Morgan City, Berwick, Patterson, Franklin, and Baldwin, as well as the Chitimacha Nation in Charenton.

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St. Martin Parish

With a population of approximately 53,000, St. Martin Parish is part of the Lafayette MSA and sits at the corridor of both Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 90.  St. Martin Parish is the only parish to have non-contiguous parts, in that, there are three major geographical areas dividing the 740 square mile parish, including the Atchafalaya Basin, the prairie, and the Bayou Teche area, on which several noteworthy cities, including the parish seat of St. Martinville, are located.

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St. Landry Parish

St. Landry Parish is moving forward. Located in the heart of Cajun and Creole heritage, this culturally diverse parish (county) in Southern Louisiana is a unique place both to live and do business – where hard-working people “live their culture” and are building a thriving economic base along with a high-quality trained workforce.

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Jeff Davis Parish

People from all over the world visit Jefferson Davis Parish to enjoy and experience rich Cajun and Indian culture. Jeff Davis Parish’s location, natural beauty, climate and small-town atmosphere offer a unique place for your family or business. The parish’s economic base includes health care services, shipbuilding, construction, agriculture, and oil field services. The parish has many industrial sites including the Lacassine Industrial Park on I-10.

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Iberia Parish

Iberia Parish, Louisiana and its progressive communities are the place for exciting opportunities. Iberia Parish offers a unique mix of southern fun and hospitality nestled in the heart of “Cajun Country.” Moss-draped Live Oak trees and beautiful antebellum homes serve as the backdrop for a hard-working labor force, cutting edge medical and industrial technology along with worldwide leaders in the exploration of oil and natural gas.

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Evangeline Parish

Perhaps no parish in Acadiana is more possessive of its heritage than Evangeline. Its citizens will tell you (seriously, but with a humorous touch, too) that they have the best gumbo, the best boudin (a sausage-like local favorite), and other Cajun delicacies. When it comes to Louisiana French country flavor, no parish surpasses this parish in the northwest corner of central Acadiana.

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Acadia Parish

Perfectly located along the I-10 corridor with major US Highways, railways, waterways, a port and airports, Acadia Parish offers the transportation resources needed for productive commerce. Cost of living and sites for business are affordable. This humble community is home to a culturally diverse and devoted population whose work ethic is as strong now as it was when their Cajun forefathers first settled here. Acadia Parish’s quaint charm makes it a great place to live, work and retire.

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Lafayette Parish

Affectionately known as the "Hub-City" of Acadiana, Lafayette, LA offers the essential elements needed to ensure the growth and development of its business community. Lafayette is set apart by its strategic location, a world-class workforce, a pro-business climate, and an unmatched quality of life. These attributes, complemented by a high-tech infrastructure and quality real estate, make Lafayette a unique place to live, work, play and do business.

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