Blog

Jennifer James Autin was recently named the new Executive Director of the Rayne Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture during its December Board of Directors’ meeting. Autin has been serving as the Business Development Coordinator for nearly a year and shares her excitement to move to this new position. Autin grew up in Rayne, graduated fromRead more

As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us begin to get in gear for one (if not THE) of the biggest shopping days of the year: Black Friday. Also, with the rise of ecommerce and the success of sites like Amazon and other online retailers, Cyber Monday has become a hot day of those internet-savvy individuals whoRead more

ARLINGTON, VA – New chairs for USA Rice, The Rice Foundation, the USA Rice Millers’ Association (RMA), and the USA Rice Merchants’ Association were elected by their respective Boards of Directors during annual meetings this week held via video conference calls.  All newly elected officers will assume their two-year posts on August 1. USA Rice’sRead more

The Acadia Parish Chamber partnered with One Acadiana, local, regional, and state organizations to host multiple webinars to discuss the tools available to small businesses during the coronavirus crisis. Webinar #1 To support Acadiana’s business community – particularly our small businesses – in response to COVID-19, Acadiana resource partners will be hosting a series ofRead more

Social distance and self-imposed quarantines are good for community health during the coronavirus and COVID-19 outbreak, but it’s toxic for small businesses. Local businesses are getting creative — necessity being the mother of invention — and continuing to serve local residents in new ways. Small businesses are the backbone of our parish and will beRead more

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced today that four 3rd District airports will receive over $2.89 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). One of those airports, Lake Charles Regional, will receive an additional $200,000 through the 2019 Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). Chennault International Airport willRead more

LAFAYETTE, LA — Randy Prather, Chairman and CEO of First National Bank of Louisiana (FNB), announces the promotion of two executives, reflecting the bank’s success as a local community bank with locations in Lafayette, Crowley, Lake Charles, and Sulphur. Rose Miller has been named President of FNB after serving 18 years as Executive Vice President. Read more

The Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce our annual Holiday Business After Hours, which is set for Wednesday, December 11th from 5:00-7:00 p.m, at The Grand Opera House of the South.  Hosts for the holiday event are Rice Palace; Dugas, Soileau & Breaux CPA Firm; Evangeline Bank & Trust Co; Le GrandRead more

The Leadership EXCEL Advisory Board is pleased to announce the conclusion of their 2019 year.  The 25th Graduating Leadership EXCEL Class met at Crowley City Hall on Wednesday, November 6 for a reception and graduation ceremony.     The evening began with an informal reception prior to the graduation where graduates, sponsors, and families of the graduatesRead more

Trade program helps Louisiana small businesses with export development BATON ROUGE, La. — The U.S. Small Business Administration has awarded Louisiana $200,000 for grants to small businesses seeking to market goods and services to foreign customers. Grants in the State Trade Expansion Program, or STEP, are designed to help small businesses gain the information andRead more