Section Business News

Top 50 luncheon to benefit Moncus Park

The Top 50 luncheon, joined by a half-million-dollar match from the Schumachers and yet another generous gift from the Moncus family, aims to help finish what IND Media started 12 years ago.

SEE WORTHY

The massive vessel-assembly buildings and buzz of activity at Metal Shark’s Franklin shipyard are a sight to behold. But the way the company has diversified into military and major commercial contracts is the real story of its success.

One Acadiana announces Acadiana Day

On Monday, May 15, One Acadiana will guide a caravan of leaders from the nine-parish region into the Louisiana State Capitol to show their pride for Acadiana in what they have dubbed “Acadiana Day.”

The Business of Branding

It may seem like a lot of intangible feel-good nonsense, but your brand represents people’s perception of everything about your company.

Brees backs Waitr

An investment group led by the Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterback infuses $10 million into delivery app.

Burger King’s parent company buying Popeyes

The parent company of Burger King and Tim Hortons is buying Popeyes for $1.8 billion, with plans to accelerate the growth of the fried chicken chain.Such a move fits Restaurant Brands International’

Two plead in wire fraud conspiracy case

Randy LeBlanc and Jahorae Johnson, both of New Iberia, are facing 20 years in prison each for their role in ripping off their employer, Acme Trucking Lines.

Nexstar gets FCC nod to purchase KLFY

Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc. announced Wednesday that it has received Federal Communications Commission approval to acquire Media General, the parent company of KLFY TV10.

NIRC lands pharmaceutical facility

Expansion will allow Crown Bioscience of California, a global drug discovery and development company, to advance treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic disease research.

UL taking over LITE

University will assume all oversight for the technology center’s facilities and operations.

Waitr, Saints join forces

The union of the pro team and foodie app comes amid rapid expansion by Waitr, which now has more than 1,200 restaurants in the Gulf Coast region within its network.

Two upcoming events for an engaged community

I-49 Connector open house set for Nov. 30 at Progressive Community Outreach Center and update on new airport terminal will be held the following day at Bell Helicopter.

LUS quietly clouds solar’s future

It is now unlikely that new solar power systems would ever pay for themselves as a result of LUS’ new solar tax and the phase out of Louisiana’s solar tax credits.

Nathan Norris out at DDA

The CEO of the Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Lafayette Unlimited is moving on after four years on the job.

Lake Chaz microbrewery expanding sales to Lafayette

Crying Eagle Brewing Company of Lake Charles has begun offering three of its beers in Lafayette bars and restaurants and will begin selling those same brews in select Lafayette stores beginning next week.

Farm to Dinner Table

A potential partnership between Acadiana Food Hub and Waitr could be the breakthrough conscientious consumers have been waiting for.

ABiz seeking Entrepreneur of the Year nominations

We need your nominations by Oct. 27, so our committee can narrow the field and choose another standout leader who will be honored in the November-December issue of ABiz and at the Entrepreneur of the Year Symposium.

1A weighs in on transportation funding

Ahead of Wednesday’s regional task force meeting in Lafayette, One Acadiana releases recommendations for a statewide transportation funding solution.

Gachassin appeals $1.6M ethics fine

Local developer and his Cartesian Company claim Ethics Adjudicatory Board was wrong when it found them in violation of the state’s Code of Ethics and ordered them to pay a record $1.6 million.

Leadership Lafayette seeks next class

Leadership Lafayette has graduated more than 650 local participants who rank among the area’s CEOs, elected officials, executive directors and community-engaged citizens.

IRS offers tax help to La. businesses

The government has extended until Jan. 17 the deadline for companies and individual taxpayers in declared disaster areas to file returns and make certain tax payments.

Study finds union decline hurting all workers

Average weekly earnings for nonunion private-sector male workers would have been 5%, or $52, higher in 2013 if the share of union workers had remained at 1979 levels, study from left-leaning Economic Policy Institute finds.

JohnPac opens Texas distribution center

Crowley-based company manufactures polypropylene from granulate to end product, creating everything from yarns to fabrics for products like bulk bags, small poly weave bags and BOPP bags.

Oh Henry, not again?

Onetime licensed architect turned unlicensed home builder bilks another client, lawsuit claims.

MEET THE NEW HOME TEAM

Lafayette began seeding a high-tech playing field more than a century ago, and it’s now paying off with a growing roster of major-league companies.

Gulf Coast Young Professionals Summit begins this Thursday

The 2nd Annual Gulf Coast Young Professionals Summit will be held this Thursday and Friday, Aug. 11 - 12, at the UL Lafayette Student Union with the goal of producing action-oriented thoughts leaders who are poised to lead locally, regionally and nationally.

Truston Technologies awarded two patents

First patent enhances the offshore cargo transfer between deeper draft vessels and smaller vessels and second patent supplements coastal protection measures in areas with low-density soils.

More Than a Lemonade Stand

A bad taste in his mouth leads a retired Lafayette pharmacist to perfect a recipe that has become a successful family business.

Climbing the Ladder

SLCC’s new scaffolding program holds promise for both immediate work and advancement.

Rêve Coffee Roasters expanding to BR

Micro roasting coffee company is the newest tenant announced for the burgeoning gourmet food hall set for the mixed-use Square 46 development in Mid City on Government Street.

Bell Helicopter expects full production in late 2017

Company officials say Bell Helicopter, which opened an assembly plant in Lafayette in August, so far has hired 27 of the planned 115 employees who will eventually produce 200 new helicopters annually.

ATC staffing up Lafayette office

Environmental consulting firm has re-established its headquarters at 221 Rue de Jean and plans to hire 50 additional workers in the next two years.

Need work? Help is on its way

Community partners from Lake Charles to Lafayette addressing workforce needs at the Industrial Trades Career Fair on Thursday, March 3, at the Cajundome.

Top Cypress Bayou execs booked on theft charges

Two top executives at the Chitimacha Tribe-operated Cypress Bayou Casino in St. Mary Parish are facing charges following their arrest by Louisiana State Police on theft and other charges.

BBR expands to BR

New location is in the Creative Bloc office suite in Capital City’s Downtown area.

KATC parent co. and Dish settle

After a three-day blackout on Dish Network, Cordillera Communications stations across the country including KATC TV3 in Lafayette are again being transmitted by the satellite provider.

Levee Board Lawsuit Alive and Well

Out of the news cycle and moving slowly, a regional flood authority’s action against the oil and gas industry remains in appeals courts on both the state and federal levels.

Airport terminal tax comes to an end

Unique funding mechanism (well, unique for Lafayette) to help finance $90 million passenger terminal could serve as model for future projects.

LHC Group profit rises in third quarter

LHC Group, a Lafayette-based home nursing company, reported its third-quarter profit climbed to $8.8 million, or 50 cents per share, compared to $6.2 million, or 36 cents per share, a year ago.

I-49 Lafayette Connector enters planning and design phase

I-49 Lafayette Connector will upgrade to interstate standards the 5.5-mile stretch of U.S. 90, running south from I-10 to just beyond Lafayette Regional Airport, representing a critical section linking Lafayette to New Orleans.

Stoli Group USA mixes with Bayou Rum

In a bid to reach international rocks glasses and muddle with the world's mojitos, Louisiana Spirit's Bayou Rum has joined forces with vodka giant Stoli USA.

Local Whole Foods spared from job cuts

With reports that Louisiana Whole Foods locations will bear some part of a swath of cuts, Lafayette's store is unaffected, a local manager says.

Coming in this month's ABiz

Meet the WWMB Class of 2015, a local financial adviser gets a Wells Notice and LCG traffic engineer Warren Abadie talks roads, safety and more.

Lafayette General buys Regional Med Center

Lafayette General Health, the parent company of Lafayette General Medical Center, has announced the purchase of the Regional Medical Center of Acadiana. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Finger on the Pulse

Local tech leaders weigh in on the challenges and opportunities in their fast-growing sector, along with the economic role they aim to play in Lafayette’s future.

Artmosphere request deferred

The popular Downtown music venue wants out of Downtown — zoning-wise — but might be party to a broader solution to the moratorium on new bar licenses in the district.

Council to consider Uber regs

The City-Parish Council Tuesday will vote on an ordinance for final adoption that would codify non-traditional transportation services like Uber and Lift to the current ordinance that regulates traditional taxicab and limousine companies.

Thinning Out the Noise

Lafayette-based web-developer Bizzuka Inc. looks to cancel out the noise in mobile communication, and diversify its skill set in the process.

Doug Ashy buys Poole Lumber

Legal dispute between Covington-based company’s heirs leads to estimated $4.5 million deal for Lafayette company.

14 Lafayette businesses popped in ATC crackdown

More than a dozen bars, restaurants and convenience stores including some well-known and popular eateries were cited for alcohol sales to minors during a recent “2015 Summer Crackdown” by the state office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.

JSP hosts INNOV8 G60 Practice Pitch Event

INNOV8 Acadiana is hosting a free Practice Pitch Training event at Jefferson Street Pub Wednesday, Aug. 19. The event welcomes anyone interested in practicing his elevator pitch in a pressure-free learning environment.

Will Georges run for gov?

He’s stepped down as publisher of the state's largest newspaper, which he owns — fueling speculation he’s running for office.

TEDxVermilionStreet announces speaker lineup

A mayor, a choral director, a civic activist, an ecologist, a physicist, an artist, an architect, two speech pathologists, two civil servants, a fashionista and a bio-engineer walk into a bar...

Generation Next

Preparing the future leaders of Acadiana’s family-owned businesses is good for everyone.

Cashless snacking

Local company is leading the vending industry into the 21st century, rolling out vending machines that will accept credit, debit, and mobile wallet payments.

Boston Globe profiles LUS Fiber

“People in Boston think of their city as a major tech hub. But to see a dynamic broadband Internet market in action, you’re better off heading to Cajun country.”

Holbrook Multi Media opens NOLA office

Local company has spent nearly 40 years in the growing Louisiana production industry, providing turnkey production services, equipment, support and post-production, along with offering award-winning advertising campaigns.

Move to regulate cable providers fails

When asked last week to give the Public Service Commission the authority to regulate cable and video service providers, the House Commerce Committee changed the channel.

LUS Fiber gets an A+

Standard & Poor’s upgrades the municipal communications system’s bond rating, indicating confidence in its financial and operational performance.

Double R expands Romacelli

The ever-growing Lafayette-based Double R Restaurant Group continues to thrive with plans for the expansion of new Romacellis throughout the state.

Tipster in Knight Oil Tools case revealed

ABiz has confirmed that Barret John Lemaire, the director of IT for Knight Oil Tools, knew about the alleged scheme to frame Bryan Knight for some time before alerting officials.

Odds Breakers

JB Mouton marks a venerable century in business.

Initial unemployment claims fall

The state labor department says first-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending March 28 decreased to 2,622 from the previous week's total of 2,723.

On Charge

A Lafayette company is bringing 21st century technology to a watering hole near you.

Biz groups oppose Jindal tax credits plan

Louisiana's business lobbying groups are calling a centerpiece of Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget proposal for next year a multimillion-dollar tax hike on business.

Popeyes: Oh “L” yeah

Nearly 22 years after being purchased by a Georgia-based company, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen still stresses its Bayou State roots.

Title Match

Longtime title firm Andrus Boudreaux brings Turnkey into its fold.

Initial La. unemployment claims fall

The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,531 from the previous week's total of 2,987. For the comparable week a year earlier, there were 2,220 claims.

The Rating Game

DIRECTV and KATC hammer out a deal to get the local ABC affiliate back on the satellite service — not coincidentally just ahead of February sweeps.

Major management shakeup at Knight Oil Tools

In response to ABiz’s questions about the removal of Mark Knight as president/CEO of Knight Oil Tools, the company issued a press release confirming Mark’s departure and replacement by Earl Blackwell. But that’s about all it’s saying.

Major management shakeup at Knight Oil Tools

In response to ABiz’s questions about the removal of Mark Knight as president/CEO of the oilfield services company, Knight Oil Tools issued a press release confirming Mark’s departure and replacement by Earl Blackwell. But that’s about all it’s saying.

Probe into canceled Medicaid contract continues

Assistant Attorney General David Caldwell said the probe into the contract that had been awarded to Maryland-based Client Network Services Inc., known as CNSI, will start running into time limits for bringing further charges later this year.

Kam Movassaghi retires from Fenstermaker

After a decade as president of the consulting engineering firm, former DOTD chief says he will remain active in the profession but has no specific plans.

ESI Fabrication announces $3M expansion

A $3 million expansion is underway for ESI Fabrication, including construction of a massive metal cutting and parts fabrication facility at its New Iberia location.

Bollinger Shipyards changes hands

There’s a change in ownership at Bollinger Shipyards, a major builder of military and commercial vessels in the Gulf Coast with its 10 shipyards.

Two Curious Goods conspirators get 10 yrs

Sentences ranging from 3.5 years to almost 10 years were handed down to the six men charged in a synthetic marijuana sales and money laundering scheme operated through Curious Goods stores.

Welcome Home, Louisiana

One of the most common complaints from fresh college graduates around Louisiana who are eager to join the local workforce is that they only seem to find qualified jobs out of state, forcing many of them to leave the home they love for the sake of their career.

Damn, that's fast!

Open Technology Institute says LUS Fiber’s home Internet is the Speedy Gonzales of the world.

TOP 10 Biz Deals of 2014

Just hours before this issue was going to press, Coldwell Banker Pelican Real Estate’s Steven Hebert delivered more upbeat news: “With some amazement, I can report that at some point last week, Lafayette Parish real estate sales surpassed last year’s annual record of $674 million."

Cajundome now pours Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola Lafayette has recently secured the exclusive pouring rights to serve its products within the Cajundome for its numerous recreational and athletic events.

Lafayette man busted for benefits fraud

State police say a 47-year-old Lafayette man, who collected more than $83,000 in disability benefits, is accused of operating two businesses out of his home at a time when he claimed he had no...

The Big Picture For Calcasieu Parish

A new study analyzes the state of the Lake Charles region and the impact 19 industrial projects will have on residents. Officials in Lake Charles have known for some time now that big business was...

Schumacher Group refinances debt

Lafayette-based emergency department staffing and management company raises $120 million in senior credit facilities through GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services. Schumacher Group, the...

Cleco sells for $3.4B

An investment group led by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets will buy the Louisiana power company Cleco for $3.4 billion. PINEVILLE, La. (AP) - An investment group led by Macquarie...

What's going down at Daily Advertiser?

Investors aren't enthusiastic about parent company Gannett's spinoff plan, and that's bad news for employees. [Editor's Note: Amid what's being called a "redesign" of the newsroom (for us at...

Perficient Bringing 245 tech jobs to Lafayette

Software development center represents third such project in Hub City this year. St. Louis-based Perficient Inc. President and CEO Jeff Davis announced in early September that the company will...

The search is on for a new airport director

A replacement is expected by January to fill the vacancy left when Greg Roberts resigned after allegedly pointing a fake gun at an engineer during a June meeting. A nationwide search is under way to...

Georges still putting millions into Advocate

Daily paper constructing new digs near production plant on Rieger Road at Siegen Lane, near I-10. Design by Remson|Haley|Herpin Architects Lafayette's Lemoine Company was awarded the contract to...

La. AG sues State Farm, alleges pattern of fraud

"In some cases, we've found that these parts are nothing more than used junk yard parts. In others, we've found them to be foreign knock-off parts of questionable quality." AG Buddy...

A Second Chance

The old Daily Advertiser building on Jefferson Street is being rehabbed as the owner prepares to move it back into commerce. The old Daily Advertiser building on Jefferson Street is being rehabbed as...

Omega Protein to expand Abbeville plant

Omega Protein Corp. says it's adding a new steam dryer and cooling tower to increase peak processing ability at its plant in Abbeville. ABBEVILLE, La. (AP) - Omega Protein Corp. says it's adding a new...

Not in my backyard: US sending dirty coal abroad

"Although the administration is moving forward with climate change regulations at home, we don't consider how policy decisions in the United States impact greenhouse gas emissions in other parts...

Rice prices projected to fall

Louisiana agriculture officials say prices for long-grain rice are projected to drop this year. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana agriculture officials say prices for long-grain rice are projected to...

Weekly jobless claims decrease

First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending July 19 decreased from the previous week's total. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in...

SAVVY OR INSANE?

Newspaper industry insiders question John Georges' expansion plan. [Editor's Note: Below is an excerpt from an essay in News Evolution or Revolution: The Future of Print Journalism in the Digital Age,...

John Georges' Big Gamble

One year later, is his expansion plan paying off? This story originally appeared in Baton Rouge's Business Report and is its copyrighted material. © 2014 Baton Rouge Business Report reserves all...

Kleinpeter Dairy battles back

Family owned Baton Rouge milk and ice-cream producer aims to put PR nightmare behind it. In a letter posted Thursday on the company's Facebook page, company CEO Jeff Kleinpeter explains the steps...

Advo: Cleco chief's golden parachute $29 million

Utility company's remaining top six executives stand to pocket $20 million total if the company is acquired. Bruce Williamson The Advocate dug up some interesting tidbits in corporate filings about...

Deadline nears for Top 50

ABiz is once again seeking nominations for its annual list of Acadiana's Top 50 Private Companies. On July 22 ABiz will publish its fifth annual Top 50 list of private companies as a cover story,...

OSHA fines Acadian Fine Foods $122K

Federal agency cites Church Point food processor for 16 serious and repeat violations, including willfully overexposing workers to CO2. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health...

Feds renew tariff on frozen Chinese crawfish

The International Trade Commission has renewed the antidumping tariff on frozen Chinese crawfish meat into 2017 - expected but good news after a bad crawfish season. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The...

What's all the fuss about Costco?

A Costco lover breaks down the pluses of the warehouse club and explains why you'll want to check it out. Prada and Fendi handbags. I'm not kidding you. Prada handbags at a wholesale club? You...

A ‘Unique' Tax

There's no way around it, Lafayette Regional Airport needs a new terminal, an expanded parking lot and a bigger ramp, yet that can only happen if voters approve a one-of-a-kind tax this fall. There's...

Hilton changing flag to Doubletree

West Pinhook Road property purchased for $30.5 million in late April. The Hilton Lafayette, purchased in late April by an out-of-state partnership, is set to undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation...

Keg owners banned from biz for two years

Their liquor license revoked, John Slaughter Jr. and his family can't have any involvement in The Keg for two years, nor can they work for an establishment that sells alcohol. Photo by Robin May Keg...

Notes from the Legislature's regular session

Surrogacy births, ethics exemption for Heitmeier, term limits and increased penalties for heroin distribution. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Legislation to regulate surrogacy births in Louisiana is nearing...

CGI Federal: Sound familiar?

Canadian company bringing new 400-job technology center to Lafayette is same entity behind the disastrous healthcare.gov rollout Photo by Robin May Flanked by local officials Monday, Gov. Bobby Jindal...

CGI bringing 400-job technology center to Lafayette

World's fifth-largest IT company will anchor UL Research Park on West Congress Street Photo by Robin May CGI's James Peake announced Monday that the Canadian company is bringing a technology center...

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Longtime Lafayette retailer ventures online. Photo by Robin May Brother Abdalla and daughter Alicia Mouton For more than three decades Brother's on the Boulevard has been a standby in Lafayette's...

Fresh Perspectives: Our INDesign Commercial Winners

The annual juried competition recognizes excellence in architecture, interior design and historic preservation in Lafayette and the five surrounding parishes. Each year IND Media's INDesign Awards...

Landry Harris & Co. purchased

Lafayette-based insurance broker/risk management group bought by Florida firm for undisclosed sum; principals Landry and Harris continue to run local operations. Lake Mary, Florida-based...

U.S. jury hits Takeda, Eli Lilly with $9B penalty

The drug companies said Tuesday they will "vigorously challenge" the decision, which was handed down by a Lafayette jury in federal court Monday. TOKYO (AP) - On Monday a U.S. jury in...

Senators rewrite payday lending restriction bill

Under a bill that received the backing of a Senate judiciary committee, a person would be limited to 10 short-term loans a year from payday lenders. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -Under a bill that received...

Notes from the La. Legislature's regular session

Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield told lawmakers Tuesday that he expects the state to collect $100 million in back-owed taxes through an amnesty period planned for later this year. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)...

Lafayette firm donates aerial vehicle to Nicholls

Nicholls State University students in the field of "geomatics" - the use of data about the earth's surface - will have access to the latest advancements in surveying technology with the...

Cox laying off 58 in Acadiana

Move is part of company-wide consolidation of residential call centers. Atlanta-based Cox Communications is consolidating its Louisiana call centers in Baton Rouge, resulting in the loss of 58 jobs in...

800 new tech jobs on way to Bossier City

A computer services company announced Tuesday that it plans to open a new technology center in Bossier City, creating 800 new jobs and bolstering efforts to position northwest Louisiana as a center...

Local companies buy stakes in Wing Nutz

Lafayette-based public company American Restaurant Concepts buys ownership in franchisor of Wing Nutz restaurants, while businessman Seenu Kasturi's private equity firm acquires 50 percent interest in...

Moreno down but not out

After years of delays, Mike Moreno's proposed mixed-use development on Nicholson Drive in Baton Rouge is set to take off.

ABiz People & Flashes

Recent hires, promotions and news from the world of Acadiana business Monday, Dec. 16, 2015 Erica Geoffroy has joined Allison Marine Holdings as marketing director, a newly created position. A...

Treasurer warns about investing in Puerto Rico bonds

Louisiana investors who use mutual funds to save for college, retirement or a rainy day could unknowingly be investing in high-risk Puerto Rico bonds. Louisiana investors who use mutual funds to save...

C'est What? Moreno buys Troy Aikman's Dallas home

In the months leading up to his company's bankruptcy, the ostentatious businessman was dropping millions on yet another home. A Dallas-based website that caters to the "truly real-estate obsessed...

So Lonesome I Could Cry

A dearth of country music concerts at the Cajundome in 2014 could spell trouble for the facility's bottom line. A dearth of country music concerts at the Cajundome in 2014 could spell trouble for the...

On the Line

Supporters of redrawing the Lafayette-Vermilion parish border say accuracy is at stake. And maybe a little tax revenue. By Walter Pierce Oct. 15, 2013 In 2004 landman Don Bertrand was headed south on...

Crowning Achievement

Local print company celebrates a half century in business. Local print company celebrates a half century in business. By Lisa Hanchey Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013 While in high school, Edmond deBoisblanc...

Subsidizing Barbarism

Our dependence on foreign oil is now a matter of choice, as we have the resources, means and technology to free ourselves - and stop supporting countries with savage practices. A recent news headline...

IberiaBank buying Memphis branches of Trust One Bank

IberiaBank has signed a definitive agreement to buy the Memphis operations of Trust One Bank, a division of Synovus Bank. IberiaBank has signed a definitive agreement to buy the Memphis operations of...

The Legacy of Lindy Boggs

Clancy DuBos remembers the steely tenacity and Southern charm of the first woman elected to Congress from Louisiana. Graciousness is rare in a politician. Genuine kindness ranks not far behind. Most...

Suitable Damages

Will big oil pay to save our wetlands? It didn't take long for the oil and gas industry to play a political trump card in the nascent but epic legal battle over who should pay to rebuild Louisiana's...

Wakeboarding Rocks

Phillip Smith turns his love of riding the water into Louisiana's first full-sized cable wake park on Mills Street. Phillip Smith turns his love of riding the water into Louisiana's first full-sized...

Taxed Not Enough Already

Four steps to moving state sales taxes into the 21st century Four steps to moving state sales taxes into the 21st century  By Michael Leachman and Michael Mazerov Friday, July 19, 2013 Antiquated...

Battle Royale

In a fight over oil royalties, it's landowners 2, oil company 0. In a fight over oil royalties, it's landowners 2, oil company 0. By Walter Pierce Friday, July 19, 2013 So far so good for four...

Butting out and vaping up

Are Lafayette smokers ready to quit puffing, at least in the traditional sense, and start vaping up on electronic cigarettes instead? For Swamp Vapor, which opened the doors of its new retail shop on...

Legal Separation

Laborde & Neuner now NeunerPate. Laborde & Neuner now NeunerPate. By Heather Miller Monday, June 17, 2013 Jim Pate and Frank Neuner of NeunerPate Lafayette corporate defense attorneys Frank...

From ‘Boat to Throat'

According to those who know it best, Louisiana's famed oyster industry is in a precarious state. According to those who know it best, Louisiana's famed oyster industry is in a precarious state. By...

Tax overhaul: Looking to IRS scandal for momentum

WASHINGTON (AP) - The storm engulfing the Internal Revenue Service could provide a boost for lawmakers who want to simplify U.S. tax laws - a code that is so complicated most Americans buy commercial...

Marching against Monsanto

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Protesters rallied in dozens of cities Saturday as part of a global protest against seed giant Monsanto and the genetically modified food it produces, organizers said. LOS ANGELES...

Stocks jump after home prices, confidence surge

NEW YORK (AP) - A rally that that brought the stock market to record highs this year came back to life after U.S. home prices rose the most in seven years and consumer confidence reached a five-year...

Robert's Rules of Dis-order

Our public bodies would do themselves, and us, a favor by adopting the ABA's Modern Rules of Order.' Our public bodies would do themselves, and us, a favor by adopting the ABA's Modern Rules of...

On the Geaux

Lafayette entrepreneurs find creative ways to get into the restaurant business on a dime. Lafayette entrepreneurs find creative ways to get into the restaurant business on a dime. Photos by Robin...

Local attorneys honored

The Lafayette Parish Bar Foundation hosted its annual Champions of Justice awards breakfast earlier this year at the City Club in River Ranch. The Lafayette Parish Bar Foundation hosted its annual...

Law Biz

There's no shortage of lawyers in Lafayette - one for every 185 of the 225,000 residents living in the parish - and our attorney population shows no signs of slowing. Lafayette Bar Association...

Living on the Hedge

If Lafayette doesn't make critical public infrastructure and quality-of-life investments, we're playing a losing hand for the future. You can bet on that. If Lafayette doesn't make critical public...

Another Oil Center Renaissance

Ruth Ann Menutis is executing big plans for the city's center. Ruth Ann Menutis is executing big plans for the city's center. There's a significant amount of redevelopment going on in the Oil Center,...

Land Values

For farmers in Acadiana, sugar cane, rice and soybeans remain the top crops in 2012. The state of the agriculture industry in Louisiana, despite being confronted with an arsenic scare in this year's...

Cyber Monday likely to be busiest online sales day

Bye-bye Black Friday. So long Small Business Saturday. Now, it's Cyber Monday's turn. NEW YORK (AP) - Bye-bye Black Friday. So long Small Business Saturday. Now, it's Cyber Monday's turn. Cyber...

‘12 Days of Christmas' price tag: $107K

Add seven swans, six geese and five golden rings to the list of Christmas gifts that cost more than they did a year ago. PITTSBURGH (AP) - Add seven swans, six geese and five golden rings to the list...

Winnwood Overhaul Under Way

An extreme makeover is in the works for Lafayette's second oldest shopping center. The nearly 6-decade-old Winnwood Shopping Center is undergoing a major facelift - the new version having as much sex...

Gimme A Break

Oil and gas tax exemptions largely escape legislative scrutiny this year. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012 By Jeremy Alford While the Revenue Study Commission might give way to some minor reforms in terms of...

Standing By on the Hill

Controversial legislation involving standby vessels may be on hold until next term. The leader of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association recently took U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry, R-New Iberia, to task over...

Attention-Getter

A local filmmaker's effort to help others use the Sony F65 got him noticed by the major electronics manufacturer. Bobby Holbrook of Holbrook Multi Media garnered the attention of both Sony Europe and...

All in a Day's Work

A local web design company is offering websites to its clients within 24 hours. What if getting a website was like getting a tattoo? You walk in, and a few hours later you leave with a work of art. So...

Believe in Louisiana?

I certainly do. Before I get on my soapbox, I want to acknowledge how blessed I am to be in Louisiana. My firm is supported and hired by some of the most amazing clients and businesses. A good...

Patent Pending

A new office at Martin Hall on campus could pay huge dividends for Lafayette's economy. Gary Breit's success as the director of  UL Lafayette's new Office of Innovation Management could have a...

Bottom Line: Workforce Wellness a Net Positive

Investing in the health of employees can result in increased productivity and reduced health care costs. A once-novel concept in the business world, the general perception of employee wellness is...

Mignon Faget expands to Lafayette

Popular New Orleans-based jewelry designer brings her nature-inspired forms to Camellia Boulevard. New Orleans native Mignon Faget is expanding her popular jewelry line to the Hub City, opening a...

Sour Note

State's sugar cane crop set to suffer $60 million hit from Hurricane Isaac. After surveying sugar cane fields in south Louisiana that suffered the wind and rain of Hurricane Isaac, state Agriculture...

Oil-spill tests aim to minimize future disasters

The largest energy outfits in the Gulf have teamed up to create the Marine Well Containment Co., aiming to improve rapid response to future oil spills. In a simulated crisis staged by the federal...

Bankers want feds to maintain sugar supports

Sugar is the world's most heavily subsidized commodity and a strong sugar policy is the only way to level the playing field for Louisiana sugar cane growers, says American Sugar Cane League General...

Like Oil and Water

The administration's Gulf leasing plan prompted an unlikely alliance. By Jeremy Alford July 26, 2012 While federal oil and gas issues traditionally divide industry supporters and environmental...

Higher Ed, Higher Salaries

Most of the highest paid state employees can be found in Louisiana's colleges and universities. But are they worth what they're being paid? By Jeremy Alford July 26, 2012 There are 185 state employees...

Goodson & Co. Expanding

Chef Marc Krampe heats up the kitchen in new Johnston Street venture By Leslie Turk July 26, 2012 Southern Hospitality Kitchens, the parent company of Charley G's, is developing a new concept for the...

Accentuating the Positive

Patrick Juneau There's nothing pretty about the oil spill claims BP is paying, but Lafayette attorney Pat Juneau contends the process is yielding significant benefits for the state. By Jeremy...

Survey Says

Local commercial real estate professionals weigh in on everything from the state of the local economy to the presidential election, interest rates and Lafayette's recent accolades. Local commercial...

Retail Recap

All signs point to a robust retail market in Lafayette. With retail sales continuing to hold the top spot as the standout economic indicator in the parish and national retailers getting back in...

The Big 10

So far For fiscal year 2011/2012 - Nov. 1, 2011, to June 14, 2012 - the Top 10 commercial permits issued by Lafayette Consolidated Government in the city of Lafayette and the unincorporated areas of...

Industrial Strength

Developer Hammy Davis breathes new life into the old Mayfair Window and Door Co. warehouses on Cameron Street. By Leslie Turk Beau Box Vice President Monty Warren had been looking for warehouse space...

Sunbeam site ‘is dead'

Waste Facilities of Lafayette, which was in the middle of developing a waste transfer station on Sunbeam Lane in north Lafayette when the City-Parish Council revoked its permit and immediately halted...

That Racket at Knight

Acquitted on forgery and fraud charges, decorator Judy Lyons is pursuing her defamation case against a wealthy oil-patch family in federal court and wielding a law used against the Mob to do it.

Rouses Expanding

Johnston Street store in the works. By Leslie Turk If you like Rouses' Lafayette store, you'll love its newest location in New Orleans' Warehouse District. And if all goes as planned, the second...

Funding Creativity

Lafayette artists and entrepreneurs are utilizing Kickstarter.com as an innovative means of fundraising. By Erin Z. Bass Last summer, Jeremy Broussard with Corvus Press launched a Kickstarter campaign...

Best Websites Unveiled

You nominated 'em and we picked 'em. By ABiz Staff You know what it's selling or promoting. It's vibrant and engaging. Its colors are rich. You want to stay. That's some of the criteria ABiz...

TNDs Go TNT

An explosion of traditional neighborhood developments is about to go off as the brain trust behind River Ranch and Sugar Mill Pond make the model affordable for the rest of us. By Walter Pierce The...

The Facilitators

Elise Bouchner How a local company saves businesses one meeting at a time By Emily Henagan Sit in on a local meeting where oil industry executives are effectively planning this year's goals and...

Fruge Named Business First Bank's Local Prez

The local banker sees no conflict in retaining some duties at SBA loan provider Louisiana Capital. By Heather Miller Louisiana Capital President and CEO Andre Fruge has been named Business First...

In a Slump

LHC Group reviews strategic alternatives' to boost stock price. By Leslie Turk No doubt hit by cuts to Medicare and faced with the uncertainty of further reductions, LHC Group announced Feb. 15 that...

An Apple a Day

A new cottage industry of iPhone and other Apple product repairs is thriving in Lafayette. By Heather Miller America's most popular smart phone has sparked a handful of new businesses popping up...

BP's ‘Hidden Victims'

A report by Greater New Orleans Inc. purports to outline the effect of the drilling permit moratorium. By Alex Woodward In his January State of the Union address, President Barack Obama told Americans...

The Big Business of Health Care

The Big Business of Health Care Health care jobs are driving this economy, and the sector remains red hot. By Leslie Turk Since at least 2005, health care has been the largest employment sector in...

Agave No. 2

Agave No. 2 Popular downtown Mexican concept expands to Bertrand Drive. By Leslie Turk ** Agave No. 2** Popular downtown Mexican concept expands to Bertrand Drive. By Leslie Turk Downtown Lafayette's...

One Cup at a Time

One Cup at a Time Moore Haus Coffee heats up the office coffee market with single-cup brewing. By Erin Z. Bass Cajuns love their coffee and have been known to stay loyal to their favorite brand, but...

Baking Power

Baking Power Young entrepreneurs are turning their kitchen skills into business success. By Elizabeth Rose Young entrepreneurs have emerged in the baking business in Lafayette, establishing their own...

Ringing Off the Wall

Ringing Off the Wall The upward trend in retail sales that began in 2010 has continued in 2011, creating what will likely be the second-best year on record for Lafayette Parish. By Leslie...

From Product to Patent

InventureWorks has found a home in Gordon Towers on Vermilion Street, overlooking the atrium of what was once a very attractive old hotel. Now it houses businesses ranging from Poupart's Bistro to a...

Big Deals 2011

ABiz looks back on the diverse announcements, transactions, issues and happenings that helped define the local business community in the past year. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 ABiz looks back on the...

Keeping It Legal

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 Louisiana has passed two bills aimed at discouraging businesses from hiring undocumented workers, with significant potential penalties for employers. By David Jacobs In...

Creature Feature?

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 Silent for days, the Grand Theatre comes clean on speculation it was down-playing the seriousness of bed bugs. By Heather Miller As of Nov. 14, The Grand Theatres in...

Jumped on the Job

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 Third Circuit ruling partially vindicates former Pathfinder employee. It reads like a bad script for a bad movie, but for Nakia Edmond it was anything but. Sexually...

Staying Connected

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 By Erin Z. Bass Cell phone companies like AT&T and Verizon push the boundaries of wireless communications. Wednesday, September 28, 2011 By Erin Z. Bass Cell phone...

Bako's New Tacos

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 By Leslie Turk How much La Fonda tradition will follow Gabe Bako? Gabe Bako Wednesday, September 28, 2011 By Leslie Turk How much La Fonda tradition will follow Gabe...

Mid City Miracle?

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 By Walter Pierce **The $1.1 billion University Medical Center should begin rising in New Orleans' Mid City soon. But economic, demographic and legal variables could play...

That's A Wrap!

**An experienced chef takes Bon Repas seasoning from jar to truck **By Nancy Deville An experienced chef takes Bon Repas seasoning from jar to truck By Nancy Deville It doesn't take long to recognize...

Shelvin's Legal Woes Continue

**Banks line up to garnish the C-P councilman's wages, begging the question about whether he is fit to serve. **By Leslie Turk **Banks line up to garnish the C-P councilman's wages, begging the...

Beyond Big Chief

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 By Wynce Nolley STM aims to arm students with the best technological tools for 21st century learning - and kicks the initiative up a notch with a student-run help...

Recreational Value

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 By Nancy Deville A national recession and high gas prices haven't stopped consumers from enjoying their weekends on the road. Wednesday, July 27, 2011 By Nancy Deville A...

Bistro Byronz Coming

Wednesday, June 29, 2011 By Leslie Turk Popular restaurateur Gene Todaro takes it down a few notches. The restaurant doesn't quite take off like you'd hoped, and within a year a driver (who's not even...

Regulatory Recession

Wednesday, June 29, 2011 By Heather Miller The ambiguity over a slew of new banking regulations could actually be what's hindering our economic recovery. The what you don't know won't hurt you' idiom...

Opelousas General's Best Shot

Wednesday, June 29, 2011 Written by By Andrea Gallo When a D.C.-based company reneged on a contract to provide 20 international nurses to Opelousas General, the hospital sued it for fraud and won a...

Center of Attention

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 Working hand-in-hand with local and regional economic development groups, Le Centre shines an international spotlight on the Cajun economy. By Ted McManus Not only do Philippe...

Hollywood Hub City

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 ** Lafayette's movie business is steadily growing and offers plenty of chances to see locals and landmarks on the big screen this summer.  By Erin Z. Bass** Diners at...

Townhouse Shapes Up

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 LGMC's fitness center moving in. By Leslie Turk Vacant since early 2008, the Townhouse at 111 Auditorium Place is about to shape up. Wednesday, May 25, 2011 LGMC's fitness...

Dark Knights

Devastated by a 2005 arrest for which she was later acquitted, the woman credited with bringing the faux finish craze to Lafayette 25 years ago has another shot at vindication.

Kleinpeter builds Lafayette distribution center

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 Baton Rouge-based Kleinpeter Farms Dairy is building a distribution center and office on a 3-acre site in the Lafayette Regional Industrial Park on Pont des Mouton...

Mission Possible

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 A late August trade mission aims to help local companies increase their business by exporting their equipment, goods and services to Peru and Chile. By Ted McManus South...

Inner Circle

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 ** Lafayette's yarn shops are producing a new generation of knitters. By Erin Z. Bass** When Kim Gunniss opened Yarn Nook in 2004, it was the only yarn shop in Lafayette....

Innovation Carriers

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 Businesses taking advantage of Lafayette's broadband capabilities are driving profits and improving their bottom lines. By Erin Z. Bass When Chris Rader started his IT...

Where's Gabe?

La Fonda's Gabe Bako has been absent for weeks. By Leslie Turk The conspicuous absence of what was once the most visible face at La Fonda is leading to lots of questions - and very little...

Golden Parachutes

Whitney executives eligible for severance payments once deal with Hancock Holding is complete. By Rebecca Mowbray When Hancock Holding Co. revealed Dec. 22 that it was merging with Whitney Holding...

Raw Deal

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 Snubbed by one of its longtime rivals in a takeover attempt, IberiaBank marches on. By Heather Miller A little more than a month after Whitney Holding Corp. announced its...

Bullritos Coming

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 Shops at Martial lands new burrito concept.  By Leslie Turk A new competitor is entering Lafayette's design-your-own burrito category. Texas-based Bullritos is opening a...

F Bomb

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 The Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce dropped a bunker buster on the Lafayette business community when it gave longtime state senator and chamber champion Mike Michot...

Checking In

Wednesday, December 29, 2010** Hotel-motel tax receipts lagged in the first half of 2010, but August kicked off a robust rebound. By Erin Z. Bass** Responsible for bringing tourists to Lafayette, the...

Fingers Crossed

Wednesday, December 29, 2010 Despite dire forecasts in much of 2010, the oil and gas industry is optimistic about 2011.  By Nathan Stubbs It was looking like 2010 would be a good year for oil and gas...

Family Feud

A protracted legal battle over the assets of late Lafayette businessman Pat LeBlanc led his widow to evict several companies he once owned with his brother, including The Acadiana Gazette.

Build It and They Will Stay

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 New commercial development in Youngsville allows residents to shop closer to home. By Walter Pierce What happens when a bedroom community starts getting its own...

Multi-Faceted

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 Celebrating its Ruby anniversary, Stuller diversifies to weather the downturn and rising price of gold. By Erin Z. Bass Rubies, at least in terms of what they represent in...

Dynamic Prospect

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 A successful business venture between a Lafayette-based energy company and a group of Korean investors blossoms into a friendship. In February oil veteran Roy Melton, a...

Culture Wars

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 The self-serve frozen yogurt competition heats up in Lafayette, and locals are lining up to chill out. By Erin Z. Bass Photos by Robin May It was a combination of Original...

Academy 2?

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 Sporting goods retailer eyes La. Ave. By Leslie Turk Academy Sports + Outdoors, Acadiana's largest sporting goods retailer, plans to open a second Lafayette store in the...

What the Market Will Bear

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 A two-year lease with the Lafayette Public Library booked the sale of the Jefferson Street Market.  By Mary Tutwiler When Rob and Catherine Robison shuttered Jefferson...

Bolt Action

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 The long legal battle between A&B Bolt and its founder continues. By Walter Pierce Photos by Robin May Louisiana's Third Circuit Court of Appeal has let stand a bitter,...

5 Guys Arrives

Country's top burger coming to Lafayette.  By Leslie Turk The burger Zagat rates No. 1 in the country is coming to Ambassador Caffery at Settlers Trace, and a familiar face is bringing it. Country's...

Courtesy Ford?

Wednesday, September 29, 2010 Don Hargroder managing Jackie Edgar Ford.  By Leslie Turk It's becoming increasingly clear that auto dealer Don Hargroder isn't partial to any brand. Though primarily a...

Cease & Desist

Wednesday, September 29, 2010 FDIC accuses First Bank and Trust of unsound practices. By Walter Pierce Data compiled by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation shows that New Orleans-based First...

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina: 5 Years Later Effects on Lafayette Parish On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina, one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the country's history, wreaked havoc on New Orleans, sending...

Caught on Facebook

**Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Written by Annie Bares Social networking sites are making it easier to connect with friends old and new - but those permanent posts can be costly.** Technology makes...

Defensive Line

**Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Written by Nathan Stubbs A pending disciplinary case against Lafayette attorneys Kevin Stockstill and Daniel J. Stanford could have serious implications for their practices...

The $30 Million Sweetener

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford A behind-the-scenes look at how the budget was passed, warts and all. The day the House first sent the state's $26 billion budget to the Senate, the...

The Doctor Is In

**Wednesday, June 30, 2010 Written by Annie Bares From a broken iPhone screen to a cell that's been through the wash cycle, myPhoneMD can fix it. ** It took several spirited conversations and a chance...

Coffee Time

**Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Written by Leslie Turk Johnston Street Java aims to help its customers escape the daily stresses of life in an atmosphere that will remind them of a simpler...

Complex Problems Solved

**Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Written by Leslie Turk An eyesore for the past year and a half, not to mention the perception the abandoned project created about the state of local construction, the Reserve...

Newspaper Decline Continues

Written by Jeremy Alford Wednesday, April 28, 2010 As more people turn to the Internet for their news, local and state governments are wondering whether paying newspapers to run public notices is the...

Health Care 101

Yes, VP Biden, it's a big [expletive] deal. Here's the skinny on how - and when - health care reform will impact you. After a year of debates and stalls, it's finally here: the Patient Protection and...

The Great Outdoors

Lafayette's first outdoor lifestyle center, Parc Lafayette, will open across from River Ranch. Coming soon to the prime quadrant at Kaliste Saloom Road, Camellia Boulevard, Long Plantation Road and...

Safety First

Acadian Companies' safety/training center covers 19 acres - with 24 more to grow From a converted horse stable in Maurice to a new, state-of-the-art facility in Lafayette, the Safety Training Academy...

Employment Opportunity

One Lafayette company is helping its executives step it up when it comes to their health. Flo Ziegler took advantage of an opportunity her employer, Stone Energy, offered to its executives in late...

Critical But Stable

With far-reaching legislation pending on the federal level and a fiscal crisis enveloping the state, Acadiana's health care industry is at a major crossroads. All the political hustle and bustle...

Upper Lafayette Gets a Lift

Holidome undergoes multimillion-dollar transformation into Holiday Inn Lafayette A $5.5 million renovation has turned the former Holidome into the “Holiday Inn of Lafayette.” Known for quality service...

Lafayette Chamber Releases 2010 Focus

The Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce will be at the forefront during 2010 advocating for a comprehensive development plan for the parish and for innovative initiatives to expand the economy....

Boom or Gloom?

A different look at cap and trade: President Barack Obama’s greenhouse gas emissions bill could lead to a completely different future for Louisiana’s chemical plants and oil producers. Due chiefly to...

Sitting on the Shelf

Jindal, Vitter push to expand OCS drilling, but Interior Department is pushing back Louisiana’s top Republicans are pressuring the U.S. Interior Department to deliver on a plan first launched by...

The Drill Bit

Could drilling actually lessen greenhouse gases? Just consider the following: • Louisiana spews more industrial carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than any other state in the nation, which equates to...

North vs. South

The hubbub around north Louisiana’s Haynesville Shale play continues to hog investments, oftentimes at the expense of coastal properties. If you believe the studies, economic analysis and corporate...

Too Good To Be True

Lafayette financial advisers weigh in on the local fallout from the Stanford scandal. There’s a sucker born every minute. The line was spoken 140 years ago and attributed to P.T. Barnum, creator of...

State of the Union

Area credit unions are weathering the financial crisis — but it’s not yet clear what impact the March failure of two large corporate credit unions will have locally. Consumers making a major purchase...

Retail Sales Slide 7 Percent

January’s dip, however, may not be a true sign of where we’re heading. When Lafayette’s December sales tax numbers came in, there was a collective sigh of relief. The parish was more than holding on,...

The Other Alternative Fuel

As those kernels of hope once held for corn get popped by a heated economy, investors and politicians are taking interest in another kind of ethanol made from agricultural waste. Faster than you can...

Flying High

Lafayette Regional Airport’s passenger counts are down slightly from a banner year in 2007, but can May’s all-time high numbers keep pace for another record-breaking year? Greg Roberts, Lafayette...

Wheeling and Dealing

$4-per-gallon gas is just starting to change local drivers’ buying habits. Sharon Moss says high gasoline prices are fueling hybrid sales but have not affected the luxury car market. photo by Robin...

Picking Up the Pieces

IberiaBank snags a failed Arkansas bank’s deposits and branches, predicting there may be more opportunities to come. IberiaBank's Daryl Byrd photo by Robin May IberiaBank Corp., parent company of...

Clean-Up Hitters

Having a spokesperson — most likely a woman — is becoming increasingly critical in a world where any misstep can be posted on YouTube in a matter of seconds. Julie Calzone of Lafayette-based Calzone...

Going Public

After 100 years as a mutual savings bank, Home Bank plans an initial public offering. Mike Maraist and John Bordelon photo by Robin May When businessman Mike Maraist joined the board of Home Bank in...

Too many beans, too few counters

Demand for CPAs and accountants is at an all-time high. Alan Hebert is one of the lucky ones. When construction began a year ago on his new River Ranch office on Camellia Boulevard, Hebert fully...

Room(s) to Grow

So far, Lafayette Parish has been able to absorb the new inventory of hotel rooms, and the heated competition is making overnight stays more pleasant. Jim Haidet saw a lot of potential in the...

The Apple Pie Mutual Fund

Louisiana may soon be the first state to push its retirement savings into a self-styled, terror-free index. While certainly patriotic, money managers warn the financial losses could outweigh the moral...

Doubting Thomas

How a massive toy recall affects Lafayette retailers and parents He's got his own video section at the Lafayette Public Library. More than 3,300 parents and kids turned out to see him and his friends...

Taking a Mulligan

Only days after killing his golf course development Chateau Mirage, John Montesano tries to revive it with an appeal to the council. Keeping up with the twists and turns of John Montesano's Chateau...

With Friends Like This ...

UL President Ray Authement thought his land-swap deal involved longtime friends of the university, but those friends may have created yet another headache for him. There was no smoking gun in...

Growth Medicine

Spurred by a fast-growing medical sector and Go Zone incentives, developers scramble to get office complexes off the ground. The southeast corridor of Lafayette stretching from Verot School Road down...

Collateral damage

Questionable content in some legal advertising could cause trouble for the entire profession. They're easily recognizable tricks of the trade. Anything from images of snarled and charred automobiles...

Cal-Bay coy on Couret Place

A California company's announcement that it has funding approval to take over north Lafayette's failed Couret Place leaves more questions than answers. What last week appeared to be good news for...

The Road to Riches

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber are leading the charge to create an economic development corridor that would stretch through Lafayette across south Louisiana. It arcs...

Ongoing Renaissance

Downtown continues its drive to diversify business and entice Lafayette residents to shop and live in the heart of the city. While an encouraging renaissance has been under way in downtown Lafayette...

Tale of the TIF

Tax Increment Financing brings north Lafayette Target center closer to fruition. The State Bond Commission approved tax-increment finance bonding last week for a north Lafayette shopping center ' the...

Grand Illusion

After two years of turmoil, one of Lafayette's premier art galleries is moving out of its flagship downtown location. Earlier this month, Jennifer Grand gave notice to her landlord, Roselawn...

Fighting Junk with Spunk

Local companies offer an array of anti-spam services to outsmart crafty, bulk e-mailers. Chances are you instantly delete the e-mails advertising "V!agra" at rock bottom prices or hot OTC...

Payday Loan Perils

Critics see rash of payday-loan stores as predators on low-income earners. One elderly Acadiana area woman calls into the local Better Business Bureau office because she doesn't understand why her...

Sign of the Times

Sign companies are dealing with overwhelming demand and an employee shortage since the hurricanes. Thousands of electric signs bit the dust along with everything else Katrina and Rita destroyed, and...

Flight Plan

A Lafayette native hopes to take westward bound oilfield personnel off the road and into the air ' and he wants a promise to upgrade the airport's nearby terminal facilities. Oilfield execs and...

Healthy Moves

The new man at Lourdes' helm says 21st century medicine calls for physician partnerships and new facilities — which likely means a significant Lourdes relocation.

Money Talks

Darla Montgomery's switch to TV10 is about respect and money ' lots of it. Darla Montgomery has raised the bar in local TV. At 43, the petite African-American news veteran, who still looks like she's...

Economic Indicators

2005 Retail Sales Jump 13 Percent It seemed a big deal at this time last year, when overall taxable sales in Lafayette Parish increased 3.6 percent from 2003 to 2004, rising to a record-breaking $3.85...

Cox Communications Refocusing on Acadiana

Acadiana's Cox Communications has three new faces ' and a new outlook on customer service. Despite that it was thriving in the Lafayette market, mainly because of its position as a cable monopoly,...


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