Lafayette Parish Economic Profile

Acadiana’s Economic Center

Lafayette, LA offers the essential elements needed to ensure the growth and development of its business community. Lafayette is set apart by its strategic location, a world-class workforce, a pro-business climate, and an unmatched quality of life. These attributes, complemented by a high-tech infrastructure and quality real estate, make Lafayette a unique place to live, work, play and do business. Historically, Lafayette has been a hub for energy production and services in the southeastern U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico.

A Strong Foundation for Growth

The resilience of Lafayette’s economy is attributed to our strategic growth, entrepreneurial spirit and skilled workforce. With this foundation, Lafayette is able to foster an economy that supports a growing population and diverse industry sectors. One quarter of the local workforce is employed in wealth creating industries— mining (energy), construction, manufacturing and information.

Add in the healthcare industry, Lafayette’s largest single employing industry, and almost 40% of the local workforce is employed in wealth creating or high valued industries. This existing base of wealth-creation is attractive to established businesses and entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Lafayette’s unique entrepreneurial spirit is evident in the homegrown companies that have found great success in the Acadiana region. From manufacturing, to healthcare, to oil & gas, Lafayette’s innovative community breeds success.

Lafayette’s Top Employers:

  1. Lafayette Parish School System
  2. Lafayette General Health
  3. Wood Group Production Services
  4. Lafayette Consolidated Government
  5. University of Louisiana-Lafayette
  6. WHC, Inc.
  7. Walmart Stores
  8. Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center
  9. Schlumberger
  10. Stuller, Inc.

 

Contact

Hoyt Strain
Manager of Business Recruitment
Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA)
hoyts@lafayette.org
337.593.1415

The Right Location is Waiting for You

We’ve got acres of opportunity

Lafayette Parish Partners

Lafayette Economic Development Authority

The Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) works with businesses as they make decisions to start, expand or relocate to Lafayette, Louisiana, and the surrounding communities. Through innovative collaborations with business, government and education, LEDA strives to grow the community’s business base for future development and diversification. Learn more at lafayette.org.

One Acadiana

One Acadiana is a business-led, privately funded economic development organization serving a nine-parish area in South Louisiana. Representing over 1,200 businesses throughout the area, One Acadiana’s vision is to make our region one of the most sought-after places in the South for business and professional talent. One Acadiana also serves as the central business organization for Lafayette, providing leadership on local issues as well as the services and resources of a traditional business association.

Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission

As an accredited Destination Marketing Organization, the Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission’s vision is to have the most progressive, efficient and creative destination marketing in the state of Louisiana. This includes innovative marketing efforts that will bring greater awareness of Lafayette as a visitation, meeting and sports destination.

Louisiana Small Business Development Center

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center is the state’s largest and most accessible source of assistance for entrepreneurs and the only statewide nationally accredited program that provides business consulting to entrepreneurs at no cost. Through a network of 10 centers, the LSBDC provides high quality one-on-one consulting, training and information resources to help your business start, grow and succeed.

 

Lafayette International Center

The Lafayette International Center (also known as Le Centre International de Lafayette or El Centro International de Lafayette) is the international division of Lafayette Consolidated Government. Since its inception in April 1990, the mission of the Lafayette International Center has been to foster an increase in international commerce and tourism in the Lafayette area. Le Centre provides a variety of trade-related resources allowing optimal interaction with local and visiting foreign trade development officials and business people. With a strong commitment to trade, Lafayette stands to develop new markets for expanded production and enhanced relationships with our trade/tourism partners.

Lafayette 1
Lafayette 2
Lafayette 3
Lafayette 4
Lafayette 5

Explore Our Region

Vermilion Parish

Vermilion Parish is known for its fresh seafood, bountiful agriculture, great access via road and waterways, and a rich history of cultural and eco tourism. This bilingual (English/French), coastal parish is large and diverse with wandering bayous and farmlands, authentic local cuisine, family-friendly festivals and Cajun towns connecting it all. Vermilion is centrally located in the southern part of Louisiana immediately adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. This proximity to the Gulf makes the parish an ideal location for the numerous companies needed to serve this region’s oil and gas industry.

Learn More

St. Mary Parish

In St. Mary Parish – or “The Cajun Coast” – the blending of French, Italian, Spanish, English, African, Native American, and Cajun traditions created a rich and flavorful “gumbo” of communities. The Atchafalaya River basin and the Gulf of Mexico serve as the lifeblood for the parish, which is composed of five municipalities: Morgan City, Berwick, Patterson, Franklin, and Baldwin, as well as the Chitimacha Nation in Charenton.

Learn More

St. Martin Parish

With a population of approximately 53,000, St. Martin Parish is part of the Lafayette MSA and sits at the corridor of both Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 90.  St. Martin Parish is the only parish to have non-contiguous parts, in that, there are three major geographical areas dividing the 740 square mile parish, including the Atchafalaya Basin, the prairie, and the Bayou Teche area, on which several noteworthy cities, including the parish seat of St. Martinville, are located.

Learn More

St. Landry Parish

St. Landry Parish is moving forward. Located in the heart of Cajun and Creole heritage, this culturally diverse parish (county) in Southern Louisiana is a unique place both to live and do business – where hard-working people “live their culture” and are building a thriving economic base along with a high-quality trained workforce.

Learn More

Jeff Davis Parish

People from all over the world visit Jefferson Davis Parish to enjoy and experience rich Cajun and Indian culture. Jeff Davis Parish’s location, natural beauty, climate and small-town atmosphere offer a unique place for your family or business. The parish’s economic base includes health care services, shipbuilding, construction, agriculture, and oil field services. The parish has many industrial sites including the Lacassine Industrial Park on I-10.

Learn More

Iberia Parish

Iberia Parish, Louisiana and its progressive communities are the place for exciting opportunities. Iberia Parish offers a unique mix of southern fun and hospitality nestled in the heart of “Cajun Country.” Moss-draped Live Oak trees and beautiful antebellum homes serve as the backdrop for a hard-working labor force, cutting edge medical and industrial technology along with worldwide leaders in the exploration of oil and natural gas.

Learn More

Evangeline Parish

Perhaps no parish in Acadiana is more possessive of its heritage than Evangeline. Its citizens will tell you (seriously, but with a humorous touch, too) that they have the best gumbo, the best boudin (a sausage-like local favorite), and other Cajun delicacies. When it comes to Louisiana French country flavor, no parish surpasses this parish in the northwest corner of central Acadiana.

Learn More

Acadia Parish

Perfectly located along the I-10 corridor with major US Highways, railways, waterways, a port and airports, Acadia Parish offers the transportation resources needed for productive commerce. Cost of living and sites for business are affordable. This humble community is home to a culturally diverse and devoted population whose work ethic is as strong now as it was when their Cajun forefathers first settled here. Acadia Parish’s quaint charm makes it a great place to live, work and retire.

Learn More

Lafayette Parish

Affectionately known as the "Hub-City" of Acadiana, Lafayette, LA offers the essential elements needed to ensure the growth and development of its business community. Lafayette is set apart by its strategic location, a world-class workforce, a pro-business climate, and an unmatched quality of life. These attributes, complemented by a high-tech infrastructure and quality real estate, make Lafayette a unique place to live, work, play and do business.

Learn More