VILLE PLATTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING

AUGUST 20, 2012

            The Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce today (Monday) heard from Dr. Tojo Ward give an update report on local economic development.

             Dr. Ward reported that that a job fair took place in Lafayette last week. One of the companies at the job fair , the Schumacher group, was planning to hire an additional 500 employees.

             A site selector is planning to visit the Evangeline Parish Industrial Park on September 12 . The site selector recommends to industries where to locate.

             Dr. Ward announced that one company, Project Circle, is considering locating the Evangeline Parish Industrial Park.It would be a 400 million dollar project that would initially hire 100 people but would increase the number to 200 employees..

           He said “We are going to get a good tenant at the Industrial Park due to our national and state certification.”

           Jennifer Walker with Walker and Son-Slap Ya Mama announced that they have moved into their new larger 33,000 square foot  facility on west end of main, in the old Pitre Ford location. They are working on the parking lot, landscaping and signage. They are planning a grand opening in the next two months.

             In other news,  the chamber :

--elected its new slate of officers for the new year: President Dr. Kirk Soileau, First Vice President Angie Rozas and Second Vice President-Mark Buller;

--elected its new board of directors: Larry Lachney, Mable Forman, Patrick Nero, Renee Brown and Vic Slaven.