For decades, Louisiana’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) has been a cornerstone of economic growth in our state, attracting businesses, creating jobs, and bolstering our communities. At the SWLA Economic Development Alliance, we see
firsthand the benefits this program delivers. However, it is not without its critics, and it’s important to address their concerns while highlighting the undeniable positives of ITEP. 

As we prepare for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to remind ourselves of the power we hold as consumers to shape our community’s future. This year, I encourage everyone to think locally—especially when it comes to holiday shopping. With almost 1,200 members in the Chamber Southwest Louisiana, the options for finding unique, high-quality goods and services right here in our region are vast. Supporting these businesses doesn’t just fill your shopping list; it strengthens the community we call home.

As we approach the Thanksgiving season, it’s a time for reflection—an opportunity to pause, take stock, and express gratitude. Here in Southwest Louisiana, there is much to be thankful for as we continue to navigate the challenges and celebrate the triumphs that make our region unique. In the spirit of the season, I’d like to share a few of the key "ingredients" that make Southwest Louisiana a place we can all be proud to call home.

Tomorrow is Support Your Local Chamber Day. At the Chamber/Alliance, we are often asked about the value of joining a Chamber of Commerce. The question is a good one, and the answer is even better. Joining a Chamber of Commerce is not just a membership; it’s an investment in your business and the community at large.

In the ever-evolving landscape of economic development, the cornerstone of success rests on one fundamental truth: the availability of prime industrial sites. In Southwest Louisiana, we stand at a pivotal moment, one where the strategic development of these sites can be a catalyst for job creation and foster economic resilience in our communities.

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As of 2023, online shopping accounted for 63% of consumer spending in the United States, while in-store shopping accounted for 37%. Several years ago a top real estate attorney from Atlanta came to Southwest Louisiana to make recommendations on how we could grow our retail and restaurant market. He was impressed by the number of “strip centers” that were and are still being built. He also was impressed that many of the tenants were what he called “Amazon Proof.”

One of the biggest impacts for improving quality of life and making our area more attractive to visitors, residents, and potential residents would be for us the rid the area of litter. This may sound simplistic, but the number one complaint we hear ...

The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance is one of the eight regional economic development organizations in the state.  We have been assured that the regional economic development organizations ( RE-DO’s) will have input into the strategic plan that will be developed.  Each region of the state is different with strengths and assets unique to that region.  For example, the same plan for Northeast Louisiana or New Orleans won’t work for Southwest Louisiana.  Thus, a custom plan and goals for our region are necessary.

While we have been successful in the past in SWLA,  it is time to re-boot and gear up for the future.  With the state agency transforming, the SWLA Alliance is readying for new leadership and a new vision, too.  It’s an exciting time to be in Louisiana and especially Southwest Louisiana.

• The latest unemployment rate for the Lake Charles area is 4.1%. This is below the state measure of 4.5% (not seasonally adjusted) and only slightly above the national figure of 3.5% (not seasonally adjusted).
• From December 2022 to December 2023, the area added 1,500 jobs for a 1.6% increase.

There is an effort underway to streamline the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) so it can respond at the speed of business. The department has been hamstrung by bureaucratic regulations that sometimes seem to take forever to navigate. In an effort to facilitate change, Governor Jeff Landry appointed Susan Bourgeois as Secretary of LED. Her background has been in  running the Northshore Community Foundation and serving as Chair of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Her specialty is strategic planning. As part of the effort to reimage the department, Senator Beth Mizell, Chair of the Louisiana Senate Commerce Committee has introduced Senate Bill 474. The legislation is scheduled to be presented to the committee tomorrow.

According to the Small Business Administration, small companies generate 1.5 million jobs a year and account for 64% of new jobs in America. Small businesses also contribute 44% of the U.S. economic activity, so as the number of new businesses grows so does their economic contributions. In recognition of this impact, The Alliance (Business Incubator of Southwest Louisiana)/Chamber SWLA will host several events during National Small Business Development Week.

A major part of our work at The Alliance is to sell our Southwest Louisiana assets to attract future industrial growth. One of the ways we do this is in Site Selection Magazine, a print publication and online version, which is targeted to site selection consultants and company executives. 

Southwest Louisiana has again been recognized for its strong industrial base. Southern Business & Development Magazine Publisher Michael Randle recently announced that the Southwest Louisiana Region is among ten historically
dominant manufacturing regions in the South. Industries such as Sasol, Venture Global, Westlake Chemical, Northrop Grumman, Cheniere, and Phillips 66 are reasons for the recognition.

Southwest Louisiana is in the national and international eye due to our region’s connection to liquified natural gas (LNG).

If there was ever a moment when that realization became extremely apparent, it occurred inside the confines of a United States House of Representatives Committee room.

Republicans scheduled a hearing for a subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “Politics Over People: How Biden’s LNG Export Ban Threatens America’s Energy and Economic Security” was the title of the proceeding.

The Biden Administration’s decision has far-reaching consequences because LNG and SWLA have a symbiotic relationship. LNG has been part of the SWLA economic tapestry since 1981. The Lake Charles MSA (Calcasieu and Cameron parishes) has
become a strategic area of LNG expansion and investment due to our region's extensive pipeline system, the Calcasieu River Ship Channel, workforce, and a strong community connection to industry going back to the early 1900s.

Free enterprise is the best system in the world at enabling success and ensuring our future. However, public support for this idea is declining. Free enterprise is an economic system in which private business operates in competition and largely free of state control. “ Our families, communities, our country, and our world are the biggest winners because of free enterprise”, declared U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne Clark at The State of American Business. This event was recently held in Washington, DC and on-line.

We are not an island unto ourselves here in Southwest Louisiana. With many international companies located here and the ship channel and Port of Lake Charles, our region is tied to the world economy and events.