Think Globally, Act Regionally, and Support Southwest Louisiana!

The Swift Report

By George Swift, President/CEO: SWLA Economic Development Alliance

Economic development incorporates a lot of different things, which have to come together in order for our region to progress.  I have been tapped to share some of our news--as well as an overview of the events, sidebars, and issues concerning the businesses and the economy spanning the five parishes of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis. 

In late January, representatives of Chennault, the Port of Lake Charles, the SWLA Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The Creole Nature Trail All American Road, and the SWLA Alliance went to Washington, D.C. as part of our annual D.C. Mardi Gras Mission. It’s a working trip providing many opportunities to lobby legislators and key policymakers. 

This year, the SWLA Alliance focused on the extension of Go Zone Tax Incentives and key infrastructure priorities: a new I-10 bridge between Lake Charles and Westlake, a DeRidder bypass, a water tank for the Lacassine Industrial Park in Jeff Davis, an alternative to the ferry across the ship channel in Cameron, and infrastructure improvements at the Allen Industrial Park in Oakdale. 

For the first time ever, chambers from Lake Charles to New Orleans partnered to host a reception at the U.S. Chamber for congressional staffers and policymakers. The event featured music by our Chamber SWLA Board Member Mike Heinen and his band “Lagniappe.” 

We met with new Congressman Dr. John Fleming, who represents some of the Beauregard Parish area and more northern regions, and with other members of our Louisiana Delegation. “Doc” Fleming was just getting settled in his office along with his Chief of Staff Lee Fletcher. By the way, with 7th District Congressman Dr. Boustany and Dr. Bill Cassidy, the new congressman from Baton Rouge, Louisiana has three doctors in the House!

Joining us on our congressional visits were our 2009 Board Chair Ken Broussard and another chamber board member James Ducote, along with fellow representatives from Cheniere Energy.  Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach also attended the mission, and joined us as we met with key leaders-- giving our region a strong presence.

Help for small businesses may be on its way. Southwest Louisiana is fortunate that Senator Mary Landrieu is the new Chair of the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Small Business Administration (SBA). 

Her chief of staff is former State Senator Don Cravins, Jr.  We now have a direct line to the folks who will formulate small business policy, and the Chamber SWLA will be soliciting ideas from our area businesses to relay to Washington. D.C.  Often neglected, small businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy. 

While in D.C., I was asked to participate in a U.S. Senate small business roundtable with several senators and officials of U.S. Chamber, NFIB, and other organizations. We’re going to take advantage of Senator Landrieu’s position and try to craft some legislation to truly help small businesses.  It’s important to tell our story in D.C. as we continue to recover and look to the future.  

Speaking of the SBA, the economic stimulus package has very favorable SBA loans for small businesses.

As I previously mentioned, one of the infrastructure projects we are monitoring is a DeRidder bypass. On Feb. 16, an initial project meeting was held on this project at the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) headquarters in Lake Charles. About 60 folks showed up to demonstrate the necessity of this project, including our allies Leon Lagneaux, Tim Merritt and Avon Knowlton from the Beauregard Chamber, Beauregard Police Jury President Gerald McLeod and several jurors, and Mayor Ron Roberts of DeRidder.

In addition to being a vital evacuation route, the newly constructed four-lane Highway 171 would benefit from a bypass.  It would open up Beauregard Parish for residential and economic growth, and facilitate development of the extensive Beauregard Airport Property. 

That same day, elected officials on the SWLA Partnership Board of Directors attended their first meeting of the year.  There for the first time was Mayor Andrew Hayes, the new mayor of Oakdale. Mayor Hayes has many projects in mind to provide recreation for 12 – 25 year-olds in Oakdale, such as a youth community center with recreation, and tutoring programs utilizing retired teachers. 

The Alliance will work with Mayor Hayes to recruit tenants to the Allen Industrial Park, the former Arizona Chemical Facility.  Dr. Jim Sandefur and other volunteers have really put in the effort to secure this facility for the parish. With some clean up and repairs, this facility could host several new industries.

Something else we are working on these days is Southwest Louisiana’s first ever Gulf Coast International Trade Conference. Scheduled for April 1-3 at the L’auberge du Lac, the conference will be attended by companies interested in doing business internationally, along with international trade representatives from four Gulf Coast states.

This is an opportunity to showcase our ports, airparks, petrochemical, aviation, and tourism to many who have not been here before.  For more information, contact David Conner, the Alliance Regional Coordinator, who is heading up this effort. 

Think globally, act regionally, and support Southwest Louisiana!