St. Landry Economic Development

06/02/2026

05/28/2026

☕ ROUND 2 IS HERE, and it's even BETTER! ☕

Our first AI Coffee Talk was a huge success, and now we're back with Part 2, and trust us, you do NOT want to miss this one! 🙌

🤖 AI Coffee Talk Part 2: Building Your AI Brain
📅 Wednesday, June 17
⏰ 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
💰 FREE!

Here's the truth. The first time you open ChatGPT or Claude, the AI has NO idea who you are. It doesn't know your business, your voice, or what you've spent years building. So it gives you something generic. Something that could belong to anyone.

✨ THIS WORKSHOP FIXES THAT. ✨

Shayne Hall, Founder of Alpha Dog Digital, will walk you through how to build your very own Sovereign AI Brain. A set of files you create ONCE about yourself and your business, then load into any AI tool before you start working.

Once it's built:
✅ AI writes in YOUR voice
✅ AI references YOUR actual services
✅ AI respects YOUR values
✅ Output that sounds like YOU and not a template

Build it once. Use it forever. Never start from zero again. 🧠💡

No technical background required. If you can answer questions about yourself and your business YOU CAN BUILD THIS.

Come grab a cup of coffee ☕ (or two, compliments of St. Landry Economic Development!) and leave with a tool that transforms the way you use AI for your small business!

🔗 Register FREE today: https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=8460037

Spots are limited so don't wait! TAG a business owner who needs to see this! 👇

05/26/2026

⏰ TICK TOCK, OPELOUSAS! The clock is ticking but you still have time! ⏰

🏛️ The 2026 Building Improvement Grant (BIG) deadline is MAY 30, 2026 and we don't want you to miss out!

The Opelousas Downtown Development District (ODDD), City of Opelousas, and Opelousas Main Street (OMS) are proud to announce the SEVENTH round of the BIG Program and it could be YOUR building that gets the transformation it deserves!

✨ What is the BIG Grant?
This grant helps property and business owners rehabilitate commercial buildings to:
✅ Create a stunning visual impact downtown
✅ Stimulate private investment
✅ Preserve Opelousas' rich historic identity & cultural heritage

🏆 Existing businesses applying for building improvements will receive preferential consideration so don't wait!

📬 HOW TO APPLY:
Email your application to:
📧 Brittany Cretchain at [email protected]
📧 Melanie Lebouef at [email protected]

Or mail/drop off in person at:
Opelousas Downtown Development District
5367 I-49 Service Rd., Opelousas, LA
Attn: Brittany Cretchain
(Mailed applications must be postmarked by May 30, 2026)

📄 2026 BIG Grant Guidelines:https://www.cityofopelousas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-BIG-Grant-Guidelines.pdf
📝 2026 BIG Grant Application:https://www.cityofopelousas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-BIG-Grant-Application.pdf

🗓️ DEADLINE: MAY 30, 2026 Don't leave money on the table! TAG a business owner who needs to see this! 👇

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. Their courage, dedication, and service will never be forgotten.

As we spend time with family and friends this Memorial Day, let us also reflect on the freedoms we enjoy because of those who gave their lives in service to our nation.
From all of us at St. Landry Economic Development, we thank and remember our fallen heroes.

Wishing everyone in St. Landry Parish a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/24/2026

Continued investment and growth across St. Landry Parish. Construction is officially underway on a new gymnasium and future campus expansion project at Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau. Projects like these reflect ongoing community development and long term investment in education and infrastructure throughout our parish.

GRAND COTEAU, La. (NEWS 15) — Construction began Wednesday on an 18,000-square-foot gymnasium at Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, marking the first phase of a new

05/22/2026

☀️🥐 Looking Back on a Great Conclusion to Economic Development Week 🥐☀️

On Thursday, May 7, St. Landry Economic Development hosted an Economic Development Week Breakfast to wrap up a week dedicated to celebrating growth, collaboration, and opportunity throughout St. Landry Parish.

The breakfast featured an engaging panel discussion with:�• Lena Charles, Board Chair of the Opelousas Downtown Development District�• Frank “Buddy” Helton, Board Chair of the Central St. Landry Economic Development District�• Brandy Ledet of Louisiana Economic Development

The panel highlighted the importance of partnerships, community investment, downtown revitalization, and continued economic growth across St. Landry Parish.

A special thank you to Dupre Carrier Godchaux Insurance for proudly sponsoring the breakfast and supporting our Economic Development Week activities.

Thank you to everyone who participated throughout the week and helped make this year’s Economic Development Week a success!

05/22/2026

🎉✨ ODDD MAY 2026 BUSINESS OF THE MONTH ✨🎉

The Opelousas Downtown Development District is proud to recognize Splash Creative Products as our May 2026 Business of the Month!

Since 1999, Splash Creative Products has been a trusted part of the Opelousas community, providing custom screen printing and embroidery services with a strong commitment to quality, creativity, and customer satisfaction.

Located in the heart of downtown Opelousas at 714 S. Main Street, Splash Creative Products currently employs five dedicated team members who work hard to deliver exceptional products with fast turnaround times and outstanding customer service.

What continues to set Splash Creative Products apart is their reliability, professionalism, and dedication to serving businesses, organizations, schools, and the community throughout St. Landry Parish and beyond.

Congratulations to Chad Ray and the entire Splash Creative Products team on this well deserved recognition! Thank you for your continued investment in downtown Opelousas and for helping our business community thrive.

05/21/2026

🐖🔥 A Great Day of Culture, Education, and Community in St. Landry Parish 🔥🐖

Students from across St. Landry Parish gathered at the Louisiana Equine Sales & Event Center for a special Boucherie hosted by Washington Career & Technical Campuses and the Forman Family Foundation, co sponsored by St. Landry Economic Development and Central St. Landry Economic Development District.

This unique hands on learning experience gave students the opportunity to connect with the culinary traditions, regional practices, and rich culture that continue to define South Louisiana and St. Landry Parish.

The day was filled with incredible food, educational experiences, community fellowship, and live music by Rusty Metoyer.

Thank you to everyone who worked hard behind the scenes to make this meaningful event possible for our students and community. Investing in experiences like these helps preserve our culture while inspiring the next generation.

Here’s a look at a fantastic day of food, music, culture, and learning!

05/19/2026

Happening THIS week!

Registration is still open for Business & Brunch! Secure your spot today! https://cca.stlandrychamber.com/EvtListing.aspx?dbid2=LASTL&evtid=12788&class=E