The Chamber SWLA - representing Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis Parishes - was named Large Chamber of the Year by the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE) at their annual meeting held on November 7 and 8.
“To receive this recognition from our peers is an honor and a credit to the hard work of the staff and the support of our Board of Directors and volunteers. This plaque represents all of the efforts we have made over the past 12 months to help our region rebound and continuously improve and promote our region as a great place to live and work,” said George Swift, President/CEO of the Chamber SWLA/SWLA Economic Development Alliance.
The impact of small businesses is often overlooked but when combined, they have tremendous financial force in sales and employment. These mostly locally-owned businesses form the fabric of each community where they are located. According to the Small Business Administration there are approximately 32.5 million small businesses which employ 61.7 million people. That is 47.5 percent of all jobs in this country. These are your neighbors and people you know who support our schools, sports teams and churches.
Allow this to serve as my introduction and give my impressions of Southwest Louisiana since joining the Alliance in April of this year. As Vice President of Economic Development for the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, it’s my job to promote economic opportunities for all in our five parishes of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis.
As for my impressions of Southwest Louisiana, I have learned that the region’s people are tough, resilient, and hardworking. They make contributions to our local, state, national, and international economies.
