Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA)

??Congratulations to Stacey S. Zawacki, LEDA’s Director of Communications, on her 20 year anniversary! Stacey executes LEDA's marketing and communications strategies and public relations activities including organizing special events, developing community outreach efforts, creating LEDA publications, and managing other projects. She’s LEDA’s top wordsmith, go-to organizer, and arts & crafts master.

??? Join Us for "Developing Together" - Where Real Estate Meets Economic Development! LEDA and REALTORS Commercial Alliance are proud to present our Developing Together initiative - a collaborative platform designed to strengthen the vital connection between real estate professionals and economic development partners. We're kicking off our Breakfast Series with Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet. This is your opportunity to hear directly from Lafayette's leadership about developments that impact your business, clients, and community. ?? What to expect: Insightful presentations from local business and community leaders Critical updates on issues affecting commercial real estate Valuable networking with key players in Lafayette's development landscape Complimentary light breakfast (because good conversations start with good food!) Don't miss this chance to be part of shaping Lafayette's growth story. Spaces will fill quickly, so secure your spot today! https://loom.ly/bF9Lol8 #DevelopingTogether #LafayetteParish #CommercialRealEstate #EconomicDevelopment #LEDA #NetworkingEvent

The census confirms Lafayette Parish is Louisiana's FASTEST-GROWING parish! This isn't happening by accident. Our exceptional quality of life combined with our pro-business climate is driving this growth, with local companies expanding and new businesses discovering what makes us special. Each municipality in our parish offers its own unique charm and advantages, creating a diverse ecosystem where businesses and families can thrive. LEDA is actively marketing Lafayette through multiple channels—Livability publications, site selector magazines, targeted social media campaigns—while Lafayette Travel continues showcasing our community as an incredible destination. And here's what happens: people visit, fall in love, and want to stay! Read more: https://loom.ly/uX_mjbw #LafayetteGrowing #EconomicDevelopment #LouisianaSuccess #ProBusiness #MovingForward

?? Ready to take your Louisiana business global? Join us for the LOUISIANA EXPORT BOOTCAMP! Exciting opportunity for Louisiana businesses looking to expand internationally! On Tuesday, April 1, the Louisiana District Export Council, Louisiana Economic Development, and U.S. Small Business Administration are hosting a free Export Bootcamp with LEDA and Lafayette International Center. This half-day workshop (9AM-12PM) is perfect for established businesses in technical services, manufacturing, food & beverage, and professional services. Your sales, shipping, and finance teams will benefit from expert sessions on: ? Market selection strategies ? Managing payment risks ? Navigating logistics, duties & taxes ? Accessing federal and state grants ? Learning from local export success stories Don't miss this chance to connect with service providers either in person or virtually and learn how to elevate your brand on the global stage. Registration is required! https://loom.ly/hmp5KWo #LouisianaExports #GlobalBusiness #SmallBusinessGrowth #InternationalTrade #LafayetteLA #LEDA

?? Announcing the Speaker Lineup for Innovate South 2025! ?? Check out the incredible lineup of speakers who will be sharing their expertise at Innovate South 2025! This year, we’ve gathered thought leaders from across various industries to help inspire, educate, and empower tech startups, tech professionals, and entrepreneurs. Don’t miss the chance to hear from and network with these incredible speakers! View more info at innovatesouth.org/speakers or register now at ?? https://loom.ly/GotUQcQ #InnovateSouth #IS2025 #TechInnovation #Entrepreneurship #Networking #StartupSuccess #TechLeadership #Fundraising #AI

Yesterday, LEDA joined Broussard Economic Development Corporation, City of Broussard, Louisiana, One Acadiana, Southwest Louisiana Electric Membership Corporation (SLEMCO), and St. Martin Economic Development Authority celebrate the certification of two sites in Broussard totaling nearly 70 acres through Louisiana Economic Development's Site Certification Program. “Certified sites are essential for attracting new business investment and enhancing a community’s competitive edge,” said Mandi Mitchell, CEcD, LEDA's president and CEO. “Through strategic partnerships with property owners, the Broussard Economic Development Corporation and the City of Broussard have successfully worked to designate eight Louisiana Economic Development Certified Sites within city limits, positioning these sites for immediate commercial use— expediting the construction phases, accelerating hiring timelines, and generating tax revenue faster—creating a win-win scenario for companies and the Broussard community. LEDA is truly proud to serve as a partner in site certification alongside One Acadiana, the Broussard Economic Development Corporation, the City of Broussard, and our utility partners.” ?? Learn more here: https://loom.ly/0PfPbVI

ICYMI: Exciting news for Lafayette's tech ecosystem! ?? The Lafayette Regional Technology Council (LRTC), a new organization dedicated to accelerating our region's technology sector, is official! We're thrilled to see this initiative bringing together leaders from across our technology landscape including representatives from Techneaux Technology Services (Ben Johnson), CGI (William LaBar), Digital Twin Studios (Marcus Lyle Brown), VieMed Healthcare (John M Collier), LHC Group (Bruce D. Greenstein), Skylight (Alexander Lanclos), SchoolMint (Bryan MacDonald), University of Louisiana at Lafayette (Martin Margala), Opportunity Machine (Destin Ortego, MS), QCerris (Jared Quoyeser), Noble Plastics (Missy Rogers), LUS Fiber (Michael D. Soileau), S1 Technology? (Hunter Thevis), One Acadiana (André Breaux), & Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) (Mandi Mitchell, CEcD). Read more ?? https://loom.ly/M1OKlDU #tech #techcouncil #technology #techecosystem

As part of LEDA's Skill Up For Economic Resilience Initiative, we teamed up with South Louisiana Community College to host an industry advisory meeting in preparation of the launch of the college's new Industrial Maintenance Technician ?? training program. This program will provide hands-on skills training on brand new state of the art technology and equipment to meet the hiring needs of local businesses. Learn more about this and other career education programs being enhanced locally: https://loom.ly/gygMDcg #leda #communitycollege

The Southern Economic Development Council Podcast presented by Insyteful welcomes Mandi Mitchell, LEDA's president and CEO. Tune in to learn a ton about the momentum and opportunity in Louisiana and to hear Mandi take on the ResearchFDI Academy Hot Seat. Listen at https://loom.ly/SFw7p04 #AmericanSouth

?? LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM Soars to #1! ?? Incredible achievements by our Lafayette Parish School System! We're now ranked as Louisiana's #1 LARGE SCHOOL SYSTEM, nearly reaching an "A" rating! ?? Major wins: Early College Academy ranks #1 in Louisiana Leading the state in K-8 & High School Progress Top spot in Strength of Diploma 29 schools recognized as Top Gains Honorees This success story isn't just about education – it's about building a stronger community and workforce pipeline for Lafayette's future. Outstanding work by our educators, administrators, and students! Want to know why companies are choosing Lafayette? This is why! ?? #LafayetteProud #EconomicDevelopment #337Education