Newsletter Aug2014

Upper Lafayette On The Move
www.upperlafayette.com
August 2014
Volume 68
NORTH LAFAYETTE
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HAPPY, WEALTHY AND HEALTHY
A SEED TO FEED INITIATIVE
ALSO
Increase your Business Contacts
We’re Happy. Right?
Ed Talks
Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Published by
Upper Lafayette Economic Development
Foundation
Printed by
Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Board of Directors
David Welch, President
Cherie Hebert, Vice President
Todd Citron, Secretary/ Treasurer
Adrian Baudoin
Julie Dronet
Don Dupuis
Brenda Foulcard
Donna Landry
Kirk LaCour
Beau Phares
Dwight “Bo” Ramsay
Herbert Schilling
Bryan Tabor
Jerry Vascocu
Monty Warren
Honorary Advisory Board
Don Dupuis
Ed Krampe
Dwight “Bo” Ramsay
Herbert Schilling
Staff
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.
Jan Swift, Executive Director
Mailing Address
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]
or 337-769-7649
Volume 68 • August 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
A Letter from the Executive Director
Early August reminds me of Sunday nights! Play time is
almost over and it is time to get back into the regimen of
early mornings scurrying out the door, getting homework
done (which seems to always involve the energy of the whole
family), and the grind of keeping up with a tight schedule.
On the other hand, early August also reminds me to take
the time to relax while I have the time, and remember all
the meaningful events that have happened throughout
the summer: Memorial Day, where we honor the brave
men and women who have died while serving our
country in the act of protecting our precious freedoms;
the celebration of Juneteenth on June 19 of each year,
where we remember the occasion on June 19, 1865,
where the abolition of slavery was finally enforced in
Galveston,Texas; and Independence Day on July 4th,
where we commemorate the adoption of the Declaration
of Independence in 1776 and honor what is probably
one of the most beautifully written documents in human
history. So maybe early August is not so bad after all!!
Lafayette was just recognized as the Happiest City in the
U. S. in a working paper by Harvard professor Edward
Glaeser, Vancouver School of Economics professor Joshua
Gottlieb, and Harvard doctoral student Oren Ziv. What do
you think of this? My thoughts are mixed as I look around
our community. It is easy for me to feel happy because
I have been blessed in life to have gotten a wonderful
public school education and obtained student loans which
allowed me to graduate from LSU law school. But in
our foundation’s quest to improve educational outcomes
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Jan Swift
Executive Director
in Upper Lafayette Parish (and our whole community), I
have also been exposed to many individuals, both children
and adults, who do not have the means or the cultural
opportunities to better their lives by becoming educated
in a meaningful way that will translate into a path out of
poverty. I will never be happy about that until I see the
needle move in the direction of bettering the quality of life
for all of our citizens. I would like to hear your thoughts.
Please email me at [email protected] if you would
like to comment.
August 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
Upper Lafayette Enjoys Motivational July Meeting
Focus on Implementation of Comprehensive Plan
ABOVE Guests panelists smile with the Upper Lafayette Executive Director, Jan Swift.
From left: Gretchen Vanicor, EB Brooks, Jan Swift, Kate Durio, Carlee Alm-Labar
A
n overflowing crowd joined us at the Petroleum Club for
our July 16, 2014 luncheon. Guest panelists, EB Brooks,
Carlee Alm-Labar, Gretchen Vanicor and Kate Durio inspired
our attendees as they spoke of the various components which
must take place for our community to actually see the Plan
Lafayette – Comprehensive Plan materialize.
Each speaker was chosen to highlight the diverse experiences
and perspectives of the people in Lafayette Parish who
gathered over the past two years to provide feedback as to
what enhancements are needed to make Lafayette parish
great. EB Brooks is the lightening rod behind the effort
to build much beloved Lafayette Central Park located at
the former UL-Lafayette Horse Farm; EB was also the
lightening rod behind Save the Horse Farm several years
ago when it was not so clear that we would have the political
www.upperlafayette.com • August 2014
will to maintain community green space in the heart of our
wonderful city. Similarly, Carlee Alm-Labar works with Joey
Durel and is LCG’s point person for the organization of Plan
Lafayette. Gretchen Vanicor is in charge of UL-Lafayette’s
Office of Sustainability; and Kate Durio is Director of
Marketing and Events for Downtown Lafayette. Who could
ask for a more talented group of young talent, full of energy
and resolve to see things get done?
The video for this event will soon be available for your
viewing if you were unable to join us.
Please visit www.upperlafayette/video to view this event, and
our treasure trove of videos from past events.
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3
August 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
North Lafayette
Redevelopment Authority
Addressing Blight
S
tate Rep. Vincent Pierre, D – Lafayette, authored
legislation to give life to the North Lafayette
Redevelopment Authority, which has been inactive
since it was originally created in 2008. The Authority
was established to provide a much needed focus on our
community’s blight and initiate redevelopment in areas of
town where criminal activity, boarded up and abandoned
homes, and untended properties cause a downward spiral in a
neighborhood’s quality of life and value of its real estate.
The Redevelopment Authority is legislatively authorized to levy
taxes, borrow money, buy and sell property, take on the role of
developer and hire a staff, among other things. State money and
grants are being pursued as means of financing the initiative.
While the authority has the ability to ask voters for a tax, Pierre
stated that a new tax is not on the table. “Taxes, I would say,
would be the last resort,” he said.
The board overseeing the Redevelopment Authority could
be seated as early as next month, said Rep. Pierre. Act 818
provides for 2 appointments to be made by State Senator
Guillory of District 24, one appointment each to Rep. Pierre,
State Rep. Terry Landry, City Parish President Joey Durel, CityParish District 3 Councilman Brandon Shelvin and City Parish
District 4 Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux.
www.upperlafayette.com • August 2014
TOP LEFT Burned home
TOP RIGHT State Representative Vincent Pierre
BOTTOM RIGHT Blighted home
New Orleans, Lake Charles and Baton Rouge have similar
redevelopment authorities in place which work to revitalize
areas of their communities which have been neglected. “All
of the places that we work in need incentives,” said East
Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority President and CEO
Walter Monsour. If done right, he said, private money will
start to follow the public money.
Monsour said growing a redevelopment authority to the point
where it can take on such a major project can take several years
and the work requires a staff dedicated to figuring out how to
redevelop areas that, for various reasons, have been passed over
by the private market. “There has to be a mission,” he said.
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New Member Spotlight:
Prejean Creative
It is a privilege to welcome our newest member, Prejean Creative,
to our foundation. Prejean Creative is an advertising agency
providing comprehensive services to help clients communicate
with relevance and creativity. They focus on well-reasoned
concepts, compelling design and meticulous execution; they help
clients with just about any communication touch point they might
use, starting with branding and including advertising, collateral
material, website, social media, public relations, tradeshow display,
packaging and other creative things.
When writing this article, it is impossible not to stop and
smile about the many creative endeavors that Lisa and Kevin
Prejean have initiated on behalf of their many satisfied clients.
In particular, we at Upper Lafayette have gotten to know Lisa
through her marketing efforts on behalf of the City of Carencro
which has always captured the beauty, serenity and family
friendliness of this beloved city.
Lisa Prejean is co-owner and responsible for Prejean Creative’s
business development. She has a varied communications and
marketing background which includes television broadcasting,
arena marketing and higher education public relations. Lisa
graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
ABOVE Lisa and Kevin Prejean
Kevin Prejean, Lisa’s husband, is co-owner and creative director
of Prejean Creative with more than 25 years of advertising and
design experience. Having worked in Dallas and Springfield,
Mo., he has managed creative direction for a number of national
and international clients, particularly in the hospitality and food
service industries.
You really must visit their website at http://www.prejeancreative.
com to get the best sampling of their many talented campaigns.
Or call Lisa or Kevin at 337.593.9051 to visit about the creative
design services they offer.
Upper Lafayette is so proud to welcome Prejean Creative to
our fold!
Upper Lafayette September Meeting to Focus on
Lafayette Regional Airport
Please mark your calendar for our next Upper Lafayette meeting
to be held Wednesday, September 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at
the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise “LITE” Center
at 537 Cajundome Blvd in Lafayette. Guest speakers are Larry
Sides, Sides & Associates, and Matt Cruse, Chair of the Lafayette
Airport Commission, who will discuss the impact the Lafayette
Regional Airport has on our local economy and quality of
life. Tickets are $25.00 each and may be reserved online at www.
upperlafayette.com/events or you may mail payment to ULEDF,
P. O. Box 53107, Lafayette LA 70505.
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Contact [email protected] or call (337)769-7649 with any
questions you may have.
Special thanks to our Sponsor, Lafayette Airport Commission/Fly
Lafayette Club for making this special event possible!
August 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
PHOTOGRAPH: ALYSSA MITCHELL
Healthy,
Wealthy,
and Happy
Emily Neustrom, MS, HTR
PHOTOGRAPHY: Provided by Emily, Neustrom, MS, HTR
TEXT:
A
s a horticulturist and community organizer, I work on the urban
agriculture frontier of Lafayette. Studies show that farms are local
economic engines, gardens are community-building catalysts, and
both provide a much needed resource of nutritious, affordable food. Food is
no doubt at the center of our regional culture in south Louisiana, attracting
visitors from all over the world. However, in 2012, Louisiana ranked the most
obese state in the country, weighing in with an obesity prevalence of 34.7%,
according to the Center for Disease Control.
www.upperlafayette.com • August 2014
The federal government, as well as
corporations like Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Louisiana Foundation are
investing millions in urban and rural
food systems not only to jump-start
economic development, but also as a
means to stabilize our alarming obesity
rates. The causes of diet-related illness
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LEFT Volunteers and participants during Seed to Table Summer Camp, Truman Montessori
ABOVE Ken Simeral addressing volunteers at the future home of the Freetown Community Garden
are complex, citing social, economic, environmental and genetic factors and a
multi-pronged approach of developing a regional food system is key. Systems
thinking is required to understand rural and urban relationships, transportation,
economics, food access, affordability, education, workforce development and
land use policies. While our public health statistics are tipping the scale, the
opportunity to balance our bulge and spur regional economic growth possibly
lies in local and regional agriculture production. As a region, may we aspire
to be healthy, wealthy and happy. Join me on the
urban agriculture frontier of Lafayette in support Food is no doubt
of these great community projects:
The McComb-Veazey Coterie, a
neighborhood planning group, sponsored
by Lafayette Consolidated Government,
was aided by staff from the Department
Planning, Zoning and Development
to prepare a grant in partnership with
the Greater Southwest Louisiana Black
at the center of our
regional culture in south Louisiana, however,
Louisiana ranked the most obese state in the
country. An unhealthy statistic.
Seed to Table, located at Truman Montessori
School, is a community garden and youth
educational summer program funded by a $1
million grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Louisiana Foundation’s “Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana program.”
The Kiwanis Club of Lafayette Foundation spearheaded the initiative called
the Healthy Living Club providing the $1 million match and unifying 24
organizations with a mission to help to curb childhood obesity through healthy
eating and active living. Seed to Table has served Truman neighborhood youth
in farming, cooking and nutrition education classes and together have grown
over 2,000 lbs of food.
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Chamber of Commerce for a community
garden at the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Church. The McComb-Veazey Coterie
received a $5,000 Fiskars Project Orange
Thumb Grant for the new garden project.
Ms. Courtney Reynolds, the President of
the Greater Southwest Louisiana Black
August 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
Chamber of Commerce when told of the news about funding said that, “It was
indeed the Chamber’s pleasure to have worked alongside the McComb-Veazey
Coterie members to receive this wonderful grant. This community garden is a
first for the area and it is so exciting. Fiskars grant has really made this a reality
for us all. The garden falls right into the revitalization plans we have for our
neighborhood. This is all part of bringing the neighbors together and having
them join in on the planting. Thank
you Fiskars.” The garden, located at
905 Surrey St., is set to be built on
Saturday, August 16, 2014. The event
is open to the public, which includes
a Po-Boy Sale sponsored by Kirk’s U
Need a Butcher.
For more information and to stay
up to date with the garden activities
visit each group on Facebook:
Seed to Table Truman, McCombVeazey Neighborhood Coterie, and
Freetown- Port Rico Coterie.
The Freetown-Port Rico Coterie is
also set to break ground on their
neighborhood’s first community
garden, on the corner of Garfield
and Vermillion. Sod removal begins
on Wednesday, August 6, with the
community building day on Saturday,
August 9. Funds were made available
by a $1,500 grant from the Freetown
Commission, and other funds are
being raised at civicside.com.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Workers
tending the future home of McComb-Veazey
Community Garden; Emily Neustrom; Seed to
Table program with participants
www.upperlafayette.com • August 2014
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Upper Lafayette Provides Scholarships for
Leadership Training
Carencro High and Northside Students Enjoy Louisiana Youth Seminar
The Louisiana Youth Seminar was established in 1971 as
a summer leadership camp for high school juniors and
seniors. Every year the Seminar is held at Louisiana State
University for one week in July. During this week, students
participate in many activities which focus on effective
communication skills, setting and achieving goals, team
building, understanding and accepting others, developing
self-confidence, conducting effective meetings, and
problem solving skills.
LYS is a Louisiana based non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization. For the past two years, Upper Lafayette
has offered scholarship assistance to deserving
students from Carencro High and Northside High
Schools to attend the summer session, who have joined
approximately 200 other students from around our state.
LYS was founded on the belief that if businesses,
communities and government are to have effective
leaders in the future, we must help our students to
develop their core leadership skills such as effective
communication, setting and achieving goals, team
building, understanding and accepting others, developing
self-confidence, conducting effective meetings, and
problem solving skills. The goal of LYS is to develop
students’ raw leadership potential into skills that will
help them to succeed as leaders, whether in business,
government or the nonprofit arena. LYS delegates meet
interesting people from across the state, learn how to
achieve life goals, and compete in good-natured yet
challenging projects
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LYS Seminar, 2014; Tyler Emilien,
Tatyanna Shelvin and Jada Francis with Adrian Baudoin
of Upper Lafayette; Kallie Guillory and Harold Williams of
Carencro High with Adrian Baudoin
Upper Lafayette would not have known about this
worthy program if not for Adrian Baudoin, our dedicated
board member and past President. Adrian is an alum
of Carencro High, and also an alum of LYS. We are so
proud to partner with LYS and are especially proud to
have Adrian as one of our leaders working to transform
Upper Lafayette parish!
For more information on LYS, please visit http://www.
louisianayouthseminar.org or call (866) 463-6597.
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August 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
ED TALKS
An initiative of LaPESC
EdTalks
Upper Lafayette’s Jan Swift Moderates Education Talks for Community
On July 9, 2014, Acadiana Open Channel’s studio was
the setting for the Lafayette Parish Public Education
Stakeholders Council’s (LaPESC) first “ED Talks,” forums
which will focus on educational issues in our state and
community, which are scheduled to be televised quarterly
and moderated by Upper Lafayette Executive Director,
Jan Swift. This initial forum featured Dr. Willie Smith,
who oversees workforce development for South Louisiana
Community College, as well as two other esteemed panelists,
Barry Erwin, President and CEO of the Council for a
Better Louisiana, and Laci Maniscalco, a third-grade teacher
at Broadmoor Elementary and a teacher-leader on the
Common Core State Standards, who provided an extremely
inspirational message on behalf of our public school teachers.
www.upperlafayette.com • August 2014
Smith shared information about the $40 million Workforce
and Innovation for a Stronger Economy Fund, or WISE
Fund, The WISE Fund provides incentives to align
educational and training programs with workforce demands.
“There’s a great deal of demand out there,” said Smith.
“With that demand comes huge challenge and obstacles.”
Dr. Smith said SLCC has applied for $1.6 million to focus
on top demand fields in Acadiana: training oil and gas
production workers that could start in spring 2015; a new
program in software development; and expanding existing
programs in welding and advanced manufacturing.
Erwin noted that for the first time in six years, higher
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Margaret Trahan with John Swift and Jason
El Koubi; Barry Erwin, CABL, being interviewed by KATC 3; Moderator Jan
Swift, with panelists Dr. Willie Smith, Laci Maniscalco, and Barry Erwin
education made it through a legislative session without funding
cuts. “The good news is that none of those bills passed,”
Erwin said. A major point of contention is on the Common
Core State Standards, new learning standards adopted by more
than 40 states that outline what students should know at each
grade level in math and English language arts.
“I think the irony about that is Louisiana had a great deal of
participation in (developing) those standards and a great deal
of participation on the testing,” Erwin said.
Maniscalco endorsed the new Common Core standards
and is one of 60 Louisiana Department of Education
teacher-leader advisers developing instructional materials
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aligned with the standards. While the state has always had
learning standards, she said, the Common Core standards
are different in how they require a deeper understanding of
a skill rather than rote learning. It is no longer enough for
students to solve a math problem — they need to understand
and explain, she said. “They’re learning the why,” she said.
“Even the third graders in my class are mathematicians.
They’re not just third graders.”
For more information on LaPESC, please visit http://www.
lapesc.com/ or call Jan Swift at (337)769-7649. Special thanks
to Marsha Sills of the Advocate for content used herein and
for her continuing factual reporting on educational issues in
our community.
August 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
Proven Tips To Increase Your Contacts In Business
Dale Carnegie Training e-Newsletter
By Tyler Winner
PRESIDENT OF THE DALE CARNEGIE TEAM
MIDDLE LOUISIANA/EAST TEXAS
D
eveloping an extensive business network will enhance
both your career and your position at your company. As
most experts agree, the key is all about knowing who to call
when you have a problem to solve.
EXPANDING YOUR CONTACT LIST IS EASY
The fastest way to increase your network is to connect
with someone else’s network. This may be in the form of a
networking group or event or a social networking website. No
matter what venue you use, be sure to look at your network in
a way that is mutually beneficial to both you and your contact.
We have put together a list of tips to help you increase your
business network while at a networking event or group meeting.
DEMONSTRATE NETWORKING SKILLS
You can improve your networking skills by introducing each
new person you meet to at least one other person (hint: this
will also help cement their name in your memory). This is a
win-win situation for everyone.
AVOID THE SELLING PROCESS
Use a networking event or group as a way to meet people and
build relationships rather than trying to sell to them. If you try to
sell to them too early you may miss out on building a relationship.
ASK PEOPLE MORE QUESTIONS
Rather than talking your new contact’s ear off, give them a
chance to share. Asking people questions about themselves will
give you valuable knowledge and make them feel important.
BE GRACIOUS AND WARM
Even if you are nervous, make a point to make people feel
welcome. An especially good way to do this is to introduce
yourself to people who are standing alone.
www.upperlafayette.com • August 2014
Jeff Benton
Dale Carnegie Training, Regional Director
MEET MORE NEW PEOPLE EACH WEEK
This may seem obvious, but we tend to gravitate towards
people that we already know. Instead of doing this, step out
of your comfort zone and go meet some new people. An easy
way to meet someone new is to thank the host of the event.
Who knows, she or he may even introduce you to someone
you did not previously know.
IT’S YOUR JOB TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH
PEOPLE
People will often forget who you are within 48 hours of
meeting you. So be sure to follow up with them before 48
hours is up to remind them of your conversation.
IMPORTANT
Remember The Names Of People You Meet - People take
notice when someone remembers their name, so use every
trick in the book to try to remember as many names as you
can. Using a person’s name during a conversation will not
only help you remember their name but will also give that
person a positive impression of you.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Networking is an invaluable skill for a businessperson to learn
and use. Social networks are quickly becoming an important
part of the business world. You can have a mutually beneficial
network of people by following these easy tips.
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Upcoming Upper Lafayette Events
Run Upper Lafayette
September 13, 2014
Event starts at 8 a.m.
Pelican Park, Carencro
September Meeting
Connecting Lafayette to the World:
A Focus on the Airport & our Economy
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., LITE Center
Tickets $25.00 each.
October Meeting
“The Importance of Humor in the
Workplace and Your Life.”
October 23, 2014,
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Petroleum Club
Tickets $35.00 each
Reserved Table for 8: $300.00
For more information or to register, visit
www.upperlafayette.com/events
Platinum Members
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 Corporation
Whitney National Bank
Gold Members
Acadiana Rubber & Gasket
Atmos Energy
Beau Box Commercial Real Estate
Dupré Logistics, LLC
Fenstermaker & Associates
Gulf Coast Bank
Home Bank
Omni Energy Services
Pixus Digital Printing
The Southwest Group
Tobacco Free Living
Van Eaton & Romero
Silver Members
Ace Plumbing, Inc.
Arsement Machine and Supply, Inc.
BBR Creative
Cajun Harley Davidson
Coburn’s Supply Company
Edward Jones/Bob Crist
Excelerant
Gauthiers’ RV Center
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Silver Members
Guidry’s Uniforms
Master Builders & Specialists, Inc.
Oakbourne Country Club
Prejean Creative
Rader Solutions
Shelf Energy, LLC
SLEMCO
Stella Maris
Stirling Properties
Total Pump and Supply, LLC
Universal Sign & Manufacturing Company
Walters Funeral Home
Bronze Members
Acadiana C.A.R.E.S.
Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
Advancial Federal Credit Union
Anytime Fitness Upper Lafayette
Aspen Clinic
Associated Travel
Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana
Jean C. Breaux, Jr. & Associates
Breaux’s Mart
Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, Inc.
Community Foundation of Acadiana
Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering
Dale Carnegie-The Winner Institute
Davis Property Management
Derek Development Corp., LLC
Joey Durel
Drury Inn & Suites
Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
Lynn Guidry, Architect
John Paul The Great Academy
Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro
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
Petroleum Club
Bronze Members
Ron J. Gaubert Realtors
W. W. Rucks, III
Sarah Schoeffler
Schools of the Sacred Heart
SMILE
John Swift
Sylvan Learning Center
Teche Electric Supply, LLC
Dr. Brent Jason Toups, LLC
Terry J. Rogers, Ltd.
Valerie Gotch Garrett, APLC
WorldPay
Sponsors
PLATINUM
IBERIABANK
Lafayette Airport Commission
LEDA
Stone Energy
GOLD
AT&T
Beau Box Commercial Real Estate
Dupré Logistics
Excelerant
Hub City Ford
LUS Fiber
Rader Solutions
Tobacco Free Living
SILVER
Acadian Companies
Advancial Federal Credit Union
Schilling Distributing Company
City of Carencro
City of Scott
BRONZE
August 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com