Upper Lafayette March 2016 newsletter

Upper Lafayette On The Move
www.upperlafayette.com
March 2016
Volume 87
Upper Lafayette Focuses on the I-49 Connector
NHS Legal Academy Team Wins at Competition
Save the Date for our Annual Crawfish Boil
...and more
Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Published by
Upper Lafayette Economic Development
Foundation
Printed by
Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Board of Directors
Monty Warren, President
Cherie Hebert, Vice President
Todd Citron, Secretary/Treasurer
David Welch, Past President
Zachary Barker
Adrian Baudoin
Kevin Blanchard
Chad Cole
Brenda Foulcard
Donna Landry
Pastor Ken Lazard
Kirk LaCour
Herb Schilling
Bryan Tabor
Jerry Vascocu
Honorary Advisory Board
Don Dupuis
Dwight “Bo” Ramsay
Staff
Jan Swift, Executive Director
Elsa Dimitriadis, Communications Director
Mailing Address
Upper Lafayette Economic Development
Foundation is an association of proactive
individuals and business leaders joined
together to be a catalyst for change. The
Foundation’s mission is to enhance and
direct the positive, planned growth of Upper
Lafayette, focusing on quality of life, while
participating in the overall development of
the Greater Lafayette Metropolitan Area.
On the cover: The beautiful gardens at Acadiana CARES,
photography by CEO Claude Martin.
P.O. Box 53107
Lafayette, LA 70505
On the Web
www.upperlafayette.com
For membership information or sponsorship opportunities,
contact Jan Swift at [email protected].
Volume 87 • March 2016 • www.upperlafayette.com
A Letter from the Executive Director
Do you have “true grit?”
As I write this letter, we are ushering in the beautiful weather of early
spring. Early March always reminds me of the endless possibilities that
this season of life offers: perennial blooming flowers, crisp air with a
cool breeze that inspires us to exercise and enjoy the outdoors, and
the anticipation of Easter and new birth. And, each year I promise myself that I won’t squander this opportunity to enjoy life which has been
given to me at no cost. The sun comes up each day and it brings with it
new life.
Of course, each year I look back and wonder where the time went.
How did it go from early March to late summer so quickly? I wonder
where the years have gone, and what I have learned. And if truth be
told, do I have “true grit,” like the perennial flowers? What does it
take to survive from year to year?
Well, this year, I am savoring what I have learned, especially as I visit
with my friends who are going through tough times, and who need to
be encouraged. Those in the oil industry, those who have lost loved
ones, and those who don’t know what the future holds for them.
When you have survived past oil price crashes, family crises, lost business opportunities, and heartache, and
you are still standing upright, you have “true grit.” You realize that the most important things in life don’t involve
money or prestige. The most important things in life always go back to the people you love, and those who love
you and support you. You know what “true grit” is.
Upper Lafayette is a family oriented organization that provides great meaning and support to me. I am proud to
work for you, and I want to thank our members for their support. When we walk into meetings, it is family and
friends that greet each other. As we talk among ourselves about the current economic downturn, it goes back to
family and how it impacts all of us. We have “true grit!”
Storms make trees
take deeper roots. -Dolly Parton
www.upperlafayette.com • March 2016
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Upper Lafayette March 16 Luncheon
to Focus on I-49 Connector
Dr. Shawn Wilson,
Secretary of Louisiana
Department of Transportation,
Kenneth Boudreaux,
District 4 City-Parish Councilman
Terry Huval,
Director of Lafayette Utiities System
Carlee Alm-LaBar,
Lafayette Parish Director of Planning,
Zoning & Development
Bill Neef,
Neef Engineering Corporation
The I-49 Lafayette Connector is a future 5.5-mile segment of highway that will extend I-49 from I-10 to the Lafayette
Regional Airport. The I-49 Lafayette Connector is a key component to completing I-49 South, and will function as a critical
hurricane evacuation route, complete a major energy and trade corridor for the U. S., and enhance safety by providing
new interstate connectivity within the Lafayette region and to New Orleans.
Over the next 18 months, the public and various government, business and community stakeholders will be invited to
participate in a collaborative decision-making process to complete the planning and conceptual design for the I-49 Lafayette Connector. Upper Lafayette is proud to host a forum providing the latest information about the I-49 Connector which
will answer your questions about safety, why this route was chosen and the work being done to protect the people most
impacted by this interstate’s location.
Please join us Wednesday, March 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the LITE Center located at 537 Cajundome Blvd., where
we will welcome guest speakers Shawn Wilson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation; Lafayette
City-Parish District 4 Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux, Carlee Alm-Labar who will represent the Parish President’s office;
and Terry Huval, Director of LUS,and the Department’s consultant, Bill Neef of Neef Engineering Corporation.
Tickets are $25 each for auditorium style seating and lunch will be provided. Registration may be made online at www.
upperlafayette.com/events. Please email [email protected] or call (337)769-7649 with any questions.
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www.upperlafayette.com • March 2016
Acadiana Computer Systems
Purchases Baton Rouge Property
for Expansion
DMDA of Baton Rouge LLC, represented by Donald L. Dupuis of Acadiana Computer Systems, purchased a
13,590-square-foot building at 6120 Perkins Road from Indigo Properties LLC. ACS, headquartered in Lafayette
and with satellite offices around Louisiana, will enjoy expanded space at the new location which is located near
Pennington Biomedical Center. ACS will occupy about 75% to 80% of the building and other tenants include the
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and a Century 21 real estate office.
Founded in 1969, ACS has approximately 4000 clients nationally which include doctors and other healthcare
practitioners as well as LSU and other teaching hospitals. Under Don Dupuis’s leadership, ACS has become one
of the largest providers of physician healthcare software and revenue cycle management solutions in the nation.
Planning Commission Offers Alternate
I-49 Connector Plan to Utilize Thruway
Local engineers are offering their own plan on how to connect Interstate 49 through the city with less impact to
surrounding neighborhoods. Members of the Acadiana Planning Commission and Lafayette Consolidated Government presented their alternate proposed plan to the Federal Highway Commission and I-49 South committee
members and was recently discussed at the I-49 Community Work Group.
The plan removes proposed major interchanges and instead transforms Evangeline Thruway into a collector road.
“We are toying with idea of what do we do with the existing Thruway,” Warren Abadie told I-49 connector committee members. “We believe that we could leverage the Thruway right of way, which would act as a collector
road for traffic on and off I-49 as well as traffic in the urban core of the grid. You are basically splitting interchanges and using slip ramps on each side of the Evangeline Thruway in order to gain access to it.”
The plan would remove proposed interchanges at Johnston and Congress and turn the Evangeline Thruway into
an “urban arterial” with planted trees and street parking.
The DOTD and consulting firm Stantec said they are working with local engineers and taking the plan into consideration. A lengthier elevated structure could lend itself for more consideration for a signature bridge, which has
also been proposed.
The bridge could provide a positive aesthetic for the city similar to
ones seen in around the U. S., such as Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill
Memorial Bridge in Boston or the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge spanning
the Trinity River in Dallas.
Content for this article provided by Jessica Goff, The Advertiser, February 22, 2016.
www.upperlafayette.com • March 2016
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Upper Lafayette Welcomes District 4 City-Parish
Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux on Show!
Upper Lafayette was proud to welcome Kenneth Boudreaux,
District 4 Lafayette City-Parish Council Representative, to
our show in February. Councilman Boudreaux has been a
vocal representative for economic development issues which
attract higher end housing and retail establishments to the
northern portion of our parish.
Born and reared in Lafayette, Councilman Boudreaux is a
member of Louisiana Avenue United Methodist Church and is
married to the former Monica McZeal. Mr. and Mrs. Boudreaux have three children: Jasmine, and twins Reginold and
Kayla.
Councilman Boudreaux is passionate about issues on leadership, cultural diversity, non-violence, esteem building,
drug and alcohol prevention, black history, and bullying. He
founded “To the Front, To the Top,” a motivational, speaking
and consulting organization that provides learning tools for
others.
Mr. Boudreaux founded and hosts two radio talk shows KRRQ
Q95.5 Teen Talk Show Holla Back and KNEK Magic 104.7 Community Hour. He is also the recipient of Big Brothers,
Big Sisters “Brother of the Year” Award; two-time Kiwanis Club “Citizen of the Year; Omega Psi Phi “Man of the
Year”; City of Lafayette Police Department Civilian Award’; “Outstanding Young Man State of Louisiana, Lafayette”
Jaycees; the Honorary Attorney General Award; NAUW Tribute to Excellence; an EUTHU Honoree; Louisiana Girls
and Guys Rock I Rock Honoree; Christiana Smith African American Alumni Chapter of UL Lafayette Outstanding
Graduate Award.
Mr. Boudreaux is a five-time Finance Chairman for Lafayette Consolidated Government and served three times
as the Professional Services Chairman over
contracts. He served as Council Chairman in
2011 and 2015.
Mr. Boudreaux served 20 years in the 15th
Judicial District in the District Attorney’s
Office, as the Director of Youth Services and
Programs.
Upper Lafayette is proud to have Kenneth
Boudreaux as our District 4 Representative
on the Lafayette City-Parish Council and we
thank him for his continuing service to our
community. He is best contacted at
[email protected].
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www.upperlafayette.com • March 2016
Lafayette Junior Leadership Accepting Applications
The Leadership Institute of Acadiana, in partnership with One Acadiana, is accepting applications until Friday, April 1 for
participation in Lafayette Junior Leadership, a leadership program for high school juniors attending public, private or home
school in Lafayette Parish. The program will accept approximately 25 students. Tuition is $150. Students may also request
scholarships to participate.
Upper Lafayette provided four scholarships for deserving students selected from Carencro and Northside High Schools
for this academic year. For the upcoming 2016 – 2017 school year, Upper Lafayette will once again extend this offer to
students selected from Carencro High, David Thibodaux STEM Academy, or Northside High School. For more information,
please contact Jan Swift at [email protected] or call (337)769-7649.
The Lafayette Junior Leadership application is available at www.leadershipacadiana.org. For questions or more information, e-mail [email protected].
Upper Lafayette Annual Crawfish Set for April 7th at Vermilionville
Our 8th annual Crawfish Boil will be held on Thursday, April
7, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Vermilionville, 300 Fisher
Road in Lafayette across from the airport. Crawdaddy’s
On-Site Catering will cater the crawfish and sides. We are
grateful to Beau Box Commercial Real Estate and Schilling
Distributing Co. for generously serving as sponsors. You will
not want to miss this opportunity to have fun and check
out the beautiful scenery at lovely Vermilionville.
Tickets may be purchased for $35.00 each (or $20.00 per
child). We look forward to seeing you there! Register online
here or mail payment to Upper Lafayette, P. O. Box 53107,
Lafayette LA 70505. Contact [email protected] with
any questions.
www.upperlafayette.com • March 2016
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Northside High School Legal Academy Team Wins
Region III Mock Trial Competition
First place team from Northside High School
On Saturday, February 27, 2016, ten high school teams participated in the Region III Mock Trial competition held
at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Lafayette. The top two teams moving forward to the state competition
are Northside High School, first place winner, and the Early College Academy (at SLCC) who came in second.
Congratulations to all high schools who participated in the event and who benefited from these life-changing
experiences!
Under the skilled and dedicated tutelage of teacher Liz Tullier, the Northside team has become known for its
prowess in mock courtrooms. The team has regularly taken some of the top honors in local and state competitions.
The Academy for Legal Studies is designed for students interested in
careers in Criminal Justice, Law
Enforcement, Public Administration,
and Law. Students participate in
cooperative, project-based, and problem-based learning. Academy students
have access to local professionals in
the legal field including attorneys,
judges, politicians and legal assistants.
For more information on Northside
High School’s Legal Academy, check
out http://www.lafayettechoice.com/
academy-legal-studies-northside-high
Presentation of case
www.upperlafayette.com • March 2016
Thank you for your generosity..
Platinum Members
($2400)
Acadian Companies
Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc.
Aries Marine Corporation
ASH/Badger Oil Company
Couret Farms
Cox Communications
Delta Media
Home Furniture
Hub City Ford
IBERIABANK
Lafayette General Medical Center
McDonald’s of Acadiana
MidSouth Bank
Our Lady of Lourdes
Republic National Distributing Company
Schilling Distributing Company
Stone Energy
Whitney National Bank
Gold Members
($1200)
Acadiana Rubber & Gasket
Atmos Energy
Beau Box Commercial Real Estate
Dupré Logistics, LLC
Fenstermaker & Associates
Gulf Coast Bank
Home Bank
Omni Energy Services
The Southwest Group
Van Eaton & Romero
Silver Members
($600)
Ace Plumbing, Inc.
BBR Creative
Cajun Harley Davidson
Coburn’s Supply Company
Edward Jones/Bob Crist
Entergy
Gauthiers’ RV Center
Master Builders & Specialists, Inc.
Oakbourne Country Club
Prejean Creative
Rader Solutions
Silver Members
Sponsors
($600)
Refinery Downtown
Shelf Energy, LLC
SLEMCO
SMILE
Stella Maris
Summit Physical Therapy
Therapy Center of Carencro
Universal Sign & Manufacturing Company
Walters Funeral Home
Bronze Members
($300)
Acadiana C.A.R.E.S.
Advancial Federal Credit Union
Anytime Fitness Upper Lafayette
Benton Business Solutions, LLC
Jean C. Breaux, Jr. & Associates
Community Foundation of Acadiana
Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering
Davis Property Management
Taylor Davis, Northwestern Mutual
Lynn Guidry, Architect
Jay Castille Construction
John Paul The Great Academy
Lafayette Animal Aid
Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic
Lafayette Convention and Visitors
Commission
Lafayette Youth Soccer Association
Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency
Lowry’s Printing and Copying
Flo Meadows, Coldwell Banker
Iqbal Merchant, CPA
Melancon I-49 Storage Center
One Acadiana
Petroleum Club
Proree, LLC
Ron J. Gaubert Realtors
W. W. Rucks, III
Sarah Schoeffler
Schools of the Sacred Heart
John Swift
Sylvan Learning Center
Teche Electric Supply, LLC
WorldPay
LEDA
PLATINUM
GOLD
AT&T
Beau Box Commercial Real Estate
Billeaud Companies
Dwight Andrus Insurance
IBERIABANK
Lafayette Regional Airport Commission
Rader Solutions
Van Eaton & Romero
SILVER
Advancial Federal Credit Union
Schilling Distributing Company
City of Carencro
City of Scott
Mele Printing
BRONZE
A special thanks to the Lafayette Economic
Development Authority (LEDA) for being
our Program of Work partner for 2016.
www.upperlafayette.com • March 2016
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