BY GEORGE SWIFT, PRESIDENT/CEO, SWLA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
As 2014 nears its end, Southwest Louisiana leads the nation in announced industrial projects, with over $86 billion.
Not only is this a powerful endorsement for our area’s natural resources and infrastructure, but also for the regional cooperation among our ports, airports, elected officials and the private sector. It is also beneficial to our region that the state of Louisiana is now ranked in the top 10 for business climate, and number one in job training programs. Without a strong state ranking, we would not have been able to attract these projects in our area.
Dr. Loren Scott’s Louisiana Economic Outlook notes that almost $40 billion of these projects have been started. That amount alone leads the nation. We are confident that the other announced projects will come to fruition. There are more projects in the development stage, and we can expect a few more in the next several months.
Our region still has thousands of acres for development in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis Parishes.
Cheniere Energy’s massive project is under construction at Johnson’s Bayou in Cameron Parish. Over 4,200 workers are there every day. It is a huge operation. The recent announcement by Sasol of the final investment decision for their $8 billion ethane cracker unit moves this project into reality, and lays the groundwork for the final decision on their gas-to-liquid plant.
Ground-breaking was held last month for the expansion at Cameron LNG in Hackberry. Westlake Chemical, one of our longtime existing industries, has announced a huge expansion in Westlake. Golden Nugget Casino, a $700 Million development, is readying for a December opening. This facility, along with the other casino resorts, will strengthen our area as a true Gulf Coast vacation destination.
The growth will provide numerous opportunities for new and existing businesses of all sizes to expand. We are especially interested in having our small and minority businesses get a piece of the action. To do so, these businesses need to evaluate their status, and be sure they have the insurance and certifications to work with the major industries and contractors. They also can serve the thousands of new residents coming to our area.
To assist these businesses, the Alliance has secured the services of the Buxton Corporation, which will provide a wealth of retail data on our area. We can provide retail profiles of various categories, leakage reports of certain items, and help existing businesses get data to expand or start a business. Contact Eric Cormier or Morgan Turpin at the Alliance for details.
The SEED Center has been open since September, 2013, and in that time the Business Incubator has seen the start-up of 17 businesses. We had two graduates, and, as expected, a couple of businesses failed. The Incubator has demonstrated its worth is helping new businesses get off the ground. We have conducted entrepreneur training, including the Youth Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) for junior and senior high school students. If you know a youth who would like to start a real business, now is the time to sign up, as the deadline is Dec. 15. Adrian Wallace is the contact for the Business Incubator and YEA.
We also have provided services to help our region’s companies learn how to do business in the international arena. Export University programs and services of the U.S. Commerce Dept. are available by contacting David Conner at the Alliance.
We are preparing the next generation of leaders, with the recent graduation of our Leadership SWLA program. Over 200 young leaders are in our young professional’s organization, Fusion Five, and we welcome and encourage new members.
We are committed to improving the quality of life for our region. Matt Young of the O’Carroll Group is heading up that effort, with five task forces working on areas of improvement for our region.
In order to attract and keep our next generation, we need to transform our area into a more welcoming and diverse area. The jobs will be here. Help by telling everyone who has moved away about the jobs coming here, so they can return home. At the Alliance, we are committed to continuing to work on economic growth, but our top priority will be issues that define our quality of life. We can keep our unique and wonderful culture, and at the same time allow for growth and new ideas.
The Regional Impact Study was recently released. Conducted by CSRS of Baton Rouge, and funded by Sasol, the report provides a road map for quality growth and development for the region. The major themes of the report are (1) Regionalism, (2) Urban Renaissance, and (3) Is there a better way to operate?
We have established our five-parish region, and we realize that no one city or parish can go it alone. So I think we have that part established. Urban Renaissance refers to development inside our existing cities and towns. The study projects that over two-thirds of the growth will come in unincorporated areas, unless policies and incentives change that.
North Lake Charles is mentioned as an area for re-development. Located along the busy I-10 and Hwy. 171 corridor, this area has infrastructure in place with streets, sidewalks, water, sewerage and utilities. It’s ready to go. To allow un-controlled growth in areas of all our parishes without sewage and water systems will only create a potential disaster down the road. The parish has attempted sewerage proposals, but were turned down by the voters. So we will need a new approach.
The third theme, Is There A Better Way To Operate, means that we must take a fresh look at how our communities are governed. The dozens of water systems and drainage districts must be consolidated, not only for ease of development, but mainly because tax dollars can be used more wisely in the areas of greatest need. The same can be said for our schools. More than 6,000 new students are projected in our schools in a few years. New and expanded facilities will be needed. Combining bonding districts can allow the growth areas to build the needed facilities.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of the 300-page study. Please visit gogroupswla.com, and read the report. Get ready to join the discussion, and help formulate the direction of our region. This is a very exciting time to live in SWLA. There will be challenges and problems, such as increased traffic. If we improve the quality of life and opportunities for our residents, with increased household income, which cuts our poverty rate, we will have succeeded.
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