Upper Lafayette August 2014 Magazine

Upper Lafayette On the MOve

August 2014Volume 68

www.upperlafayette.com

Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority

NORTH LAFAYETTE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

HAPPY, WEALTHY AND HEALTHY A SEED TO FEED INITIATIVE

ALSOIncrease your Business Contacts

We’re Happy. Right?Ed Talks

Volume 68 • August 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com

Published byUpper Lafayette Economic Development

Foundation

Printed byLafayette Economic Development Authority

Board of DirectorsDavid Welch, President

Cherie Hebert, Vice PresidentTodd Citron, Secretary/ Treasurer

Adrian BaudoinJulie DronetDon Dupuis

Brenda FoulcardDonna LandryKirk LaCourBeau Phares

Dwight “Bo” RamsayHerbert Schilling

Bryan TaborJerry VascocuMonty Warren

Honorary Advisory BoardDon DupuisEd Krampe

Dwight “Bo” RamsayHerbert Schilling

StaffJan Swift, Executive Director

Mailing AddressP.O. Box 53107

Lafayette, LA 70505

On the Webwww.upperlafayette.com

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.

For membership information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jan Swift at [email protected]

or 337-769-7649

August 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com

A Letter from the Executive DirectorEarly 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!!

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.

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 SwiftExecutive Director

www.upperlafayette.com • August 2014

Upper Lafayette Enjoys Motivational July MeetingFocus on Implementation of Comprehensive Plan

An 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

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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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

August 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com3


North Lafayette Redevelopment Authority Addressing BlightState 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, City-Parish District 3 Councilman Brandon Shelvin and City Parish District 4 Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux.

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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TOP LEFT Burned home TOP RIGHT State Representative Vincent Pierre

BOTTOM RIGHT Blighted home


New Member Spotlight:

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.

Prejean Creative

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!

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.

Upper Lafayette September Meeting to Focus on Lafayette Regional Airport

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!

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ABOVE Lisa and Kevin Prejean


As 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.

TEXT: Emily Neustrom, MS, HTRPHOTOGRAPHY: Provided by Emily, Neustrom, MS, HTR

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

Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy

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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 of these great community projects:

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.

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

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

Food is no doubt at the center of our regional culture in south Louisiana, however, Louisiana ranked the most obese state in the country. An unhealthy statistic.

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LEFT Volunteers and participants during Seed to Table Summer Camp, Truman MontessoriABOVE Ken Simeral addressing volunteers at the future home of the Freetown Community Garden

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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.

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

For more information and to stay up to date with the garden activities visit each group on Facebook: Seed to Table Truman, McComb-Veazey Neighborhood Coterie, and Freetown- Port Rico Coterie.

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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

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.

Upper Lafayette Provides Scholarships for Leadership Training

Carencro High and Northside Students Enjoy Louisiana Youth Seminar

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

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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.

Upper Lafayette’s Jan Swift Moderates Education Talks for Community

EdTalks

ED TALKSAn initiative of LaPESC

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

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.

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Proven Tips To Increase Your Contacts In BusinessDale Carnegie Training e-NewsletterBy Tyler WinnerPRESIDENT OF THE DALE CARNEGIE TEAM MIDDLE LOUISIANA/EAST TEXAS

Developing 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.

MEET MORE NEW PEOPLE EACH WEEKThis 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. IMPORTANTRemember 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 SUMMARYNetworking 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.

Jeff BentonDale Carnegie Training, Regional Director

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Acadian CompaniesAcadiana Computer Systems, Inc.Aries Marine CorporationASH/Badger Oil CompanyCouret FarmsCox CommunicationsDelta MediaHome FurnitureHub City FordIBERIABANKLafayette General Medical CenterMcDonald’s of AcadianaMidSouth BankOur Lady of LourdesRepublic National Distributing CompanySchilling Distributing CompanyStone Energy CorporationWhitney National Bank

Acadiana Rubber & GasketAtmos EnergyBeau Box Commercial Real EstateDupré Logistics, LLCFenstermaker & AssociatesGulf Coast BankHome BankOmni Energy ServicesPixus Digital PrintingThe Southwest GroupTobacco Free LivingVan Eaton & Romero

Platinum Members

Gold Members

Ace Plumbing, Inc.Arsement Machine and Supply, Inc.BBR CreativeCajun Harley DavidsonCoburn’s Supply CompanyEdward Jones/Bob CristExcelerantGauthiers’ RV Center

Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Acadiana Symphony OrchestraAdvancial Federal Credit UnionAnytime Fitness Upper LafayetteAspen ClinicAssociated TravelBoys and Girls Clubs of AcadianaJean C. Breaux, Jr. & AssociatesBreaux’s MartBridge Ministry of Acadiana, Inc.Community Foundation of AcadianaCrawdaddy’s On-Site CateringDale Carnegie-The Winner InstituteDavis Property ManagementDerek Development Corp., LLCJoey DurelDrury Inn & SuitesGreater Lafayette Chamber of CommerceLynn Guidry, ArchitectJohn Paul The Great Academy Jolie’s Louisiana BistroLafayette Animal AidLafayette Community Health Care ClinicLafayette Convention and Visitors CommissionLafayette Youth Soccer AssociationLee Verret/State Farm Insurance AgencyLowry’s Printing and CopyingFlo Meadows, Coldwell BankerIqbal Merchant, CPAMelancon I-49 Storage CenterPetroleum Club

Silver Members

Bronze Members

Ron J. Gaubert RealtorsW. W. Rucks, IIISarah SchoefflerSchools of the Sacred HeartSMILEJohn SwiftSylvan Learning CenterTeche Electric Supply, LLCDr. Brent Jason Toups, LLCTerry J. Rogers, Ltd.Valerie Gotch Garrett, APLCWorldPay

PLATINUMIBERIABANKLafayette Airport CommissionLEDAStone Energy

GOLDAT&TBeau Box Commercial Real EstateDupré LogisticsExcelerantHub City FordLUS FiberRader SolutionsTobacco Free Living

SILVERAcadian CompaniesAdvancial Federal Credit UnionSchilling Distributing Company

BRONZECity of CarencroCity of Scott

Bronze Members

Sponsors

Silver MembersGuidry’s UniformsMaster Builders & Specialists, Inc.Oakbourne Country ClubPrejean CreativeRader SolutionsShelf Energy, LLCSLEMCOStella MarisStirling PropertiesTotal Pump and Supply, LLCUniversal Sign & Manufacturing CompanyWalters Funeral Home

For more information or to register, visitwww.upperlafayette.com/events

September MeetingConnecting Lafayette to the World:A Focus on the Airport & our Economy

Wednesday, September 17, 201411:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., LITE Center

Tickets $25.00 each.

Upcoming Upper Lafayette EventsOctober 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 eachReserved Table for 8: $300.00

Run Upper LafayetteSeptember 13, 2014

Event starts at 8 a.m.Pelican Park, Carencro

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Upper Lafayette August 2014 Magazine

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