Section Off the Charts

The ‘E' Word

Now could be the time to unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. Now could be the time to unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. By Zachary Barker Friday, July 19, 2013 It has been referred to as the itch...

Isn't it time to get off this roller coaster?

We need a constitutional convention to fix this system and keep entrepreneurs in the state. The majority of this column was written and published in the July 2010 issue of ABiz, but in light of Gov....

Top of the List

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 It's time for everyone to believe what others are saying about us: Acadiana is one of the best regions in the country to live and do business. As residents of Acadiana, we...

From Good to Great

Wednesday, September 28, 2011By Gregg Gothreaux ** Great cities have great public spaces, and Lafayette is recognizing that. ** Wednesday, September 28, 2011By Gregg Gothreaux ** Great cities have...

Closing the Gender Gap

Women-owned companies now account for 29 percent of all businesses in the U.S. Lafayette's economy has historically been led by the traditionally male-dominated energy industry; however, as women...

Business 101

Wednesday, June 29, 2011 Written by Gregg Gothreaux The Louisiana Small Business Development Center's seminars are aspiring entrepreneurs' first step toward success. It is small businesses - existing...

Lafayette still on the up and up

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 It's no surprise that Lafayette Parish has experienced tremendous population growth and community/business development over the past decade. It's been said that a community...

Reeling in Halliburton

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 Lafayette's best effort pays off, as the oil services giant decides to bring its high-paying jobs to Pont des Mouton Road. Gov. Bobby Jindal was in Lafayette earlier in the...

Sky's the Limit

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 Broadband's potential to drive economic development is without equal. By Gregg Gothreaux When talking economic development, there's little else that's more exciting than the...

Stay With Us

A strong tourism base has developed because of Acadiana's festival network, our indigenous culture and the hospitality of our residents. By Greg Gothreaux Hospitality is defined as friendly, welcoming...

Fair to Middlin'

Wednesday, December 29, 2010 In this economy, flat is not a bad word - and in some areas we're doing much better than that. LEDA collects hundreds of data indicators including retail sales,...

Back to Work

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 While it may be some time before deepwater drilling resumes, the new idle iron' policy could create 13,000 jobs in the state over the next five years. The lifting of the...

Digital Effects

Wednesday, September 29, 2010 ** With average annual wages of more than $50,000 in 2007, digital jobs in Acadiana are expanding at double the growth rate of the state. By Gregg Gothreaux** In the...

Strength in Unity

**Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Written by Gregg Gothreaux LEDA is one of several Acadiana commerce labs ready to help your business grow.** Many ABiz readers are probably familiar with LEDA and our...

Strength in Numbers

**Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Written by Gregg Gothreaux By combining forces with neighboring parishes, LEDA assesses Acadiana's business climate, and if not for the drilling moratorium, we'd be sitting...

Get off the roller coaster

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 Written by Gregg Gothreaux Streamlining government and efforts to limit government to reign in budget shortfalls have not worked because they fail to take on the essential...

There's a Map for That

**Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Written by Gregg Gothreaux Whether you are a start-up, looking to expand or trying to woo a national client to Acadiana, LEDA can provide custom demographics, competitive...

Get Incentivized

**Written by Gregg Gothreaux Wednesday, April 28, 2010 More often than not, business owners don't take advantage of the tools that are out there to lessen their tax burden.** What if businesses had an...

The New Energy Movement

To take advantage of federal tax credits and incentives for producing clean energy, LEDA, UL Lafayette and other community partners last year launched the Acadiana Alternative Energy Committee to help...

True Louisiana

Cajun and Creole foods have long been on the national radar, but outsiders are beginning to see our value beyond the kitchen. Not too many years ago it might have been difficult to find true Louisiana...

Let The Good Times Roll

Louisiana is the ‘happiest state’ in the nation. Louisiana is the happiest state in the country. Word of that new ranking may have surprised many people across the nation, but it came as no surprise...

Ready and Waiting

Lafayette is poised to hit the ground running when the national economy begins its upswing. The past year and a half have been tumultuous for communities across the U.S. Here in Acadiana we have seen...

Sitting Pretty

Lafayette is one of the best places to live during this economic downturn, but don’t take my word for it. Lafayette regularly receives an A when it comes to quality of life and cultural endeavors, and...

All Eyes on Washington

More than 900 energy-related businesses in Lafayette Parish, significantly more than any other parish in the state, stand to lose big if the Obama administration has its way. Energized Lafayette has...

Digital Assets

Disney’s editors — normally stationed in Los Angeles — will set up shop in LITE for the new movie Secretariat, a clear sign Lafayette’s technology infrastructure is attracting business. Last month I...

Lafayette Means Business

A workforce breakdown of Lafayette Parish reveals nearly one quarter of the workers are employed in wealth-creating industries. What is it about Lafayette Parish that makes the community so appealing...

The Cat is Out of the Bag

Lafayette’s wildcatter spirit has diversified. The dictionary defines wildcatter as someone who takes foolish risks. Here in the heart of Acadiana we define a wildcatter as someone with a ceaseless...

Top 10 List

There are 10 key components of financial planning that, if tackled over time, can give you peace of mind and a solid future. In order to succeed in its economic development mission, LEDA strives to...

Together We Stand

A six-parish coalition of economic development groups lays out its legislative agenda. With tightened budgets across the board, special interest groups throughout the state have been diligently...

The Resource Center

LEDA’s Information Resources Department has the info you need to keep your entrepreneurial spirits up in a down market. It’s instinct to want to cut back in tough times, but business owners should...

Off the Charts - March 2009

Lafayette Parish’s travel and tourism industry is driving the local economy, but it’s still missing a key ingredient for big business — a full-service 4- or 5-star hotel with a convention center...

Off the Charts - February 2009

Quality of Life Ask anyone around town and most likely he will sing the praises of Acadiana’s quality of life citing our world-renowned culture and entertainment. Why then, does Louisiana so often...

Off the Charts - January 2009

Help Wanted The workforce issues facing Lafayette businesses are a cause for concern, while at the same time reflecting a successful economy. But we’d rather have this issue to deal with than the...

Off the Charts - December 2008

Small Business Partnerships It is small businesses — existing businesses growing with the parish and new businesses relocating or starting up in the area — that keep Lafayette’s economy fresh, vibrant...

Off the Charts - November 2008

Diversification key to economic stability With the national economy in its current condition, it’s natural that locally people start to wonder if Acadiana’s economy will be affected the way other...

Off the Charts - October 2008

Tech workforce growing in Acadiana As noted by the 2008 Milken Institute Ranking, Lafayette is the 14th Best Performing City in the nation. The growth of our technology workforce is a major...

Off the Charts - September 2008

Driving the Economy With the nation’s economy in its current condition, I’m often asked about the state of Lafayette’s economy. There’s no denying that business has been booming in Lafayette. With...

Off the Charts - August 2008

The Venus Factor Women entrepreneurs are creating jobs, optimism and opportunities in communities across America, and the same can be said of local women entrepreneurs. Women are impacting much more...

Off the Charts - July 2008

Money on the Table Business is booming in Lafayette Parish and Acadiana. But what if I told you businesses across the region could do even more? What if businesses had an opportunity to save thousands...

Off the Charts - June 2008

Small Cities, Big Progress When it comes to progress, the small cities and towns in Lafayette Parish are building success from the ground up. New businesses are moving in, native businesses are...

Off the Charts - May 2008

A Business-Friendlier Environment It’s no secret that the business climate in Lafayette is pro-growth and entrepreneur friendly. Locals have been very successful in opening businesses offering any...

Off the Charts - April 2008

Bank On It Acadiana’s banking and financial institutions have long been a contributing factor in Lafayette’s growth and prosperity. Making up 6 percent of the workforce in Lafayette’s MSA — Lafayette...

Off the Charts - March 2008

Stay with someone you know Hospitality is defined as friendly, welcoming and generous treatment offered to guests or strangers. That treatment is one of the hallmarks mentioned time and time again by...


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