LAFAYETTE, LA – One Acadiana, joined by regional businesses, partners and community leaders, launched its "Priorities for a Better Acadiana" initiative at Noble Plastics in Grand Coteau. The event focused on accelerating Acadiana's economic development momentum and creating jobs, one of four regional priorities championed by the organization in advance of the upcoming elections.
"By seizing economic development opportunities we can, and we will, make our region more competitive and maintain an economic trajectory that provides good jobs for our children and grandchildren," said Jason El Koubi, One Acadiana President & CEO.
Over the next four weeks, One Acadiana will hold a weekly press conference to discuss each priority in-depth, after which the organization will release a detailed whitepaper outlining the priority action items.
Developed by One Acadiana with the help of business and civic leaders, local partners, and subject matter experts, the "Priorities for a Better Acadiana" is a focused set of opportunities for taking the region to the next level.
One Acadiana, formerly the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, is transforming into a national-caliber regional economic development organization serving a nine-parish (county) area in south Louisiana. The new model will focus on executing The Campaign for One Acadiana, a five-year, $15 million initiative focused on a long-term vision of making Acadiana one of the most high-quality, sought after regions in the South for business and talent.
One Acadiana will deliver a new, highly professional, nationally competitive economic development program for the region, which will help manage Acadiana's current and long-term growth, retain and grow current business, and diversify the economic base by attracting new emerging growth industries and professional talent.
In addition to leading new regional activities, One Acadiana will continue to provide leadership and coordination for local business issues in Lafayette Parish. Local chambers in other Acadiana municipalities and parishes will continue to provide leadership over business issues in their areas, and One Acadiana will work together with them to help inform the planning and implementation of the new regional initiative.
