We're Number #1
Number 1
It was announced last week that Southwest Louisiana – listed in the report as the “Lake Charles MSA” - tied with Bend, Oregon, for fastest growing real GDP and per capita real GDP of any MSA in the nation. Our growth is directly tied to “nondurable-goods manufacturing.” Our real GDP growth from 2015 to 2016 is 8.1%, the per capita real GDP growth was 7.1%. This information was released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

To put this in perspective, the national growth rate is 1.7%, and our neighbors in Beaumont had 1.2% growth and Lafayette had a -11.5% growth.

“This is wonderful news, although not wholly unexpected to the leadership at the SWLA Economic Development Alliance. We have been working closely with existing and new industries to help shore up gaps in the employment pipeline and know how many people we need to bring into our region. This announcement comes on the heels of years of hard work and great blessings on behalf of the Alliance and our regional economic development partners," said George Swift, President/CEO, SWLA Economic Development Alliance.

"We see this growth and development all around us, and now is the time to embrace these changes and make strong, well-thought-out plans for the future of our region. We also must look at this growth and development as a boon for our region, not something to fear. For 150 years, our residents have made Southwest Louisiana a great place to live, work, and play, and we will continue that way of life for another 150 years," continued Swift.

Member of the Week
Alliance News & Events
A Report from Mayor Nic Hunter
Join us for a report on
The First 100 Days with Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
October 10, 2017
The SEED Center
$20 per seat / 
$200 for Premium Table of 8

RSVP to DMonceaux@allianceswla.org

Other events that week...
Dr. Loren Scott returns to Southwest Louisiana for his annual "Louisiana Outlook" report on October 11th.

Thanks for our sponsors (Iberia Bank & the H.C. Drew Center at McNeese State University) we are able to provide this event free of charge.

We do ask that only two representatives per company attend, and RSVP in advance to Dottie Monceaux at dmonceaux@allianceswla.org or by clicking this link to RSVP online.
Bad service is like heart disease…it kills! In just a few seconds bad service can kill all that you have worked for!

But….great service can take away all the heart aches and pump new blood into your business! Great service is something to get excited about! It’s what makes people go WOW!

It is not just your service….it is the way your service  LOOKS !
The way your service  FEELS !
The way your service  SOUNDS !

Since we are what we think about then we need to be thinking about world class service all day long. In No Bad Service we learn about
-         Satisfied vs loyal customers
-         Milk your own cows first
-         Your walk vs your talk
-         Behavior modification
-         How to make your service glitter!

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
October 12, 2017
The SEED Center
$20 per seat / 
$140 for table of 8
RSVP to DMonceaux@allianceswla.org
Member-to-Member News & Events
Recently, we had several new members join: Town Planner on The Bayou (Premium Member), Clean Title, LLC & Home2 Suites by Hilton - Lake Charles (Preferred Members) and Boys & Girls Clubs and Cane River Pecan Company (Business Members).
Last week, Chamber Vice President Paula Ramsey and Ambassadors were invited to the grand opening celebrations of Terracon's newest location in Southwest Louisiana and the new Shipley Do-nuts & Kolaches in Lake Charles.

Terracon moved from their Kirkman Street office to an expanded office located at 220 Prater Road in Sulphur. Sulphur Mayor Chris Duncan was on hand to help Terracon leadership and guest cut the ribbon. For more information, visit www.terracon.com/offices/lake-charles.

On Saturday, Alliance President/CEO George Swift and Lake Charles City Councilman Mark Eckard joined Shipley's Do-nut staff and guests for their grand opening! They are located at 3629 Nelson Road, Suite 200, in Lake CHarles. For more information, visit www.shipleydonuts.com.

Next month, we have been invited to the 100 th  Anniversary Celebration and Ribbon Cutting at Farmers Rice Milling Company on October 11, and ribbon cuttings at Savannah Lakes on October 12, and TownePlace Suites Lake Charles on October 19.
If you would like to know more about your Chamber SWLA membership and/or the SWLA Economic Development Alliance, please attend next month's membership orientation. It will take place at the SEED Center on October 5 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP to Paula Ramsey at pramsey@allianceswla.org.
Kudos & Congratulations
The Alliance Foundation received a check in the amount of $7,500 from Merchants & Farmers Bank to support its initiatives. This donation is the 2017 installment to the SWLA Alliance Foundation’s SWLA on the Move 5-year campaign. The current plan of work under the SWLA on the Move Campaign is to address the critical issues facing our region: workforce development, business recruitment, business retention and expansion, regional marketing, and building a single voice for a true regional partnership. Pictured: Brittany Duplechian, Alliance Foundation Director; Shawn Camara, City President, Merchants & Farmers; and George Swift, Alliance's President & CEO. 

Show your support of McNeese State University by wearing your Blue & Gold on Fridays!

Geaux Pokes!
Trucking Company Sought for Harvey Clean Up
A FEMA Contractor is looking for a trucking company to help with Houston debris removal. Trucks must have a 30/40 cu yd. haulage capacity per load with driver. The shifts will be during the daytime. There will be a flat fee of $6.70 per cubic yard hauled, and a additional fee: $0.05 per cubic yard for an oversight function. Contact Mitchel Garcia,
Project Operations Liaison, at 801-695-0801 , or 801-415-9857 .

The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance
 www.allianceswla.org
 (337) 433-3632