One Acadiana

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day, Acadiana!

In observance of the holiday, the 1A office will be closed today, September 7th. We will reopen tomorrow, September 8th.

09/03/2026

Healthcare Options Now Available to 1A Members! 🩺

We are partnering with the Chambers Health Trust (CHT) to offer member businesses plans designed to support the health and well-being of their employees.

CHT is a group health plan that gives small and mid-sized businesses access to large-group advantages - including potential cost savings, better plan options, and greater price stability. The program works with trusted partners including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana and Liviniti. 🤝

Eligible businesses must be 1A members in good standing, headquartered in Louisiana, and meet employee enrollment and contribution requirements. ✔️

🔗 Ready to leverage your 1A membership and explore available healthcare options? Visit OneAcadiana.org/CHT to learn more and get started.

09/02/2026

EXPANSION ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

Coastal Machine & Supply, Inc., a Medora Manufacturing company, announced it will invest $25.5 million to expand its Lafayette Parish operations, building on more than two decades of Louisiana manufacturing expertise to capture new growth in aerospace and defense.

Here's the details:
⚙️Expansion will take place at Coastal Machine & Supply’s existing facility in Carencro
💪 129 direct new jobs will be created, with 58 current positions retained
📍 Louisiana Economic Development is estimating an additional 111 indirect new jobs, for a total of 240 potential new job opportunities in the Acadiana Region
📈 Increasing capacity to manufacture large, complex precision components while supporting additional workforce and engineering needs
🚧 Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2026, with the first phase expected to be completed before August 2027

Learn more at https://ow.ly/LS1S50ZIoZB

1A proudly supports businesses that continue to invest, grow, and thrive right here at home. We celebrate this win alongside Lafayette Economic Development Authority LEDA and congratulate Coastal Machine & Supply on this exciting milestone!

09/01/2026

You'll want to mark the calendar for this one! 📅

✉️ One Acadiana invites you to join our 2026 Regional Celebration: Launching Acadiana's Future, as we reflect on the projects, partners, and progress shaping what's next for our region.

We'll revisit the defining moments of the past year — including SpaceX's historic $100 billion investment in Vermilion Parish — and celebrate the successes creating new possibilities for Acadiana's businesses, workforce, and communities. 🌠

🎤 Special guest Susan B. Bourgeois, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development (LED), will join us to share her perspective on Louisiana's record-breaking growth , the power of partnership in securing transformational investment, and the opportunities ahead for our region and state.

Connect with business and community leaders from across parish lines and celebrate the major wins of 2026 as we launch a bold, new future for Acadiana. 🤝

🎟️ View event information and secure your ticket today at OneAcadiana.org/RC2026

Thank you to our supporting sponsors, Jones Walker LLP and Ochsner Lafayette General, for making this special event possible!

08/28/2026

Big investments should create big opportunities for Louisiana businesses, too. 🚀

With SpaceX joining Source Louisiana, businesses across the state can put their capabilities in front of one of the world’s leading aerospace companies and position themselves for future contracting and vendor opportunities tied to its historic investment in Vermilion Parish.

If your business is ready to compete, make sure you’re in the pipeline.

Register. Verify. Update.

Register today: https://louisiana.supplierone.co/

08/28/2026

One Acadiana says stronger connections between educators and employers will be increasingly important as major economic development projects bring new jobs to the region.

08/27/2026

Together, we’re building stronger connections between education and industry — and a stronger workforce for Acadiana’s future. 💡

At our 1A ConnectEd Update, business, education, and community leaders joined together for to celebrate the progress being made to strengthen Acadiana's talent pipeline and support industry needs.

From industry roundtables and educator engagement to career-connected learning and the Acadiana FAME Chapter, connections between employers and educators are being strengthened and helping to drive Acadiana’s economy forward.

🎤 Thank you to our panelists for sharing their perspectives, experiences, and commitment to preparing future talent for careers right here at home!

We were also proud to recognize the Iberia Parish School District as the recipient of the 2026 1A ConnectEd Award! 🏆 Congratulations to the district’s educators and leaders for their outstanding work advancing career-connected learning and creating meaningful opportunities for students.

A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Ochsner Lafayette General, and supporting sponsor, Express Employment Lafayette, for making this event possible. 👏

🔗 Explore more about ConnectEd, view the 2026 report, and watch our highlight video at OneAcadiana.org/ConnectEd

⚙️ Learn about Acadiana FAME, a new employer-led talent pipeline for advanced manufacturing, at OneAcadiana.org/AcadianaFAME

08/27/2026

Want a front row seat to learn what's ahead for Acadiana's economy? 📈

On the heels of SpaceX's historic investment announcement, Economist Dr. Loren Scott is returning to Acadiana to provide his highly anticipated Louisiana Economic Forecast.

Join us for An Expert's Perspective as One Acadiana and First Horizon Bank welcome Dr. Scott to deliver his sharp take on the oil and gas market, the Lafayette MSA, and the major economic trends shaping Acadiana’s future. 💡

🎟️ Secure your ticket today at https://ow.ly/9ncL50ZFLcy

Reserve your seat today for the highly anticipated return of Dr. Loren Scott to Acadiana for An Expert's Perspective. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 14, as One Acadiana and First Horizon Bank welcome Dr. Scott to deliver his sharp take on the oil and gas market, the Lafayette MSA,...

08/26/2026

Join us at the 1A office next Wednesday, September 2nd, to learn more about our Ambassador Program and see if this is the right opportunity for you! 🤝

Interested in becoming a One Acadiana Ambassador? 🌟

Join us for a one-hour informational session to learn about the 2027 Ambassador Program, hear from current program leaders, and discover how you can become more involved with One Acadiana while growing your professional network.

Applications open this fall. 📑

💻 Learn more about the Ambassador Program at https://ow.ly/nosm50Zq6QV
✍️ Register to attend the Interest Session at https://ow.ly/UMz650Zq6QU