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Information for Lafayette
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L. J. “Joey” Durel, Jr.
President, Lafayette Consolidated Government
P. O. Box 4017-C
Lafayette, LA 70502
United States
Phone: (337) 291-8300
Fax: (337) 291-8399
Email: jdurel@lafayettegov.net
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| Officer | |
Philippe Gustin
International Trade Manager, Lafayette Consolidated Government
735 Jefferson Street
Lafayette, LA 70501
United States
Phone: (337) 291-5474
Fax: (337) 291-5480
Email: pgustin@lafayettegov.net
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| General Information |
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City/Region: Lafayette, Louisiana, United States
General Introduction
The City-Parish of Lafayette and the Acadiana Region are located in Southwestern Louisiana. Lafayette is referred to as the “Hub City” because of its strategic location at the crossroads of Interstate Highways I-10 and I-49. The parish has established itself as the regional leader in manufacturing, retail, medical services, technology, education and entrepreneurial activity.
History
Lafayette is situated in the heart of a unique cultural region known as Acadiana. The name is derived from the hard-working and fun-loving Acadians, who were exiled from their homeland of Nova Scotia in 1755. The first settlement on the site of present day Lafayette was known as Petit Manchac, was established by the English who used it during the Revolutionary War as an outpost.
The years of 1765-1785 marked the great immigration period of the Acadians and many land grants were given by the French and Spanish governments. As a result of the Treaty of Fontainebleau in 1762, Louisiana went from French to Spanish rule. The Spanish actually took possession in 1766. The French Revolution of 1789 had its effect on Lafayette as many French Loyalists fled to Louisiana to settle. With the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, Louisiana then became possession of the United States.
The town was renamed Vermilionville in 1822 and became the seat of the newly designated Parish of Lafayette. The settlement grew and the town of Vermilionville was renamed Lafayette in 1884 in honor of the French Marquis de Lafayette.
Travel to City
Lafayette Regional Airport provides flights links to Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Memphis via Atlantic Southeast (Delta), American Eagle, Continental Express and Northwest Airlink.
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| Demographics | |
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Population: 110,501 / 202,569
Workforce: 146,600
Economy
Lafayette Parish is the economic center of the eight-parish area known as Acadiana. Lafayette businesses are able to take advantage of a larger market of consumers as well as the number of qualified workers available for employment.
The major industries of Lafayette Parish are: construction, finance, manufacturing, medical/healthcare, oil & gas, retail trade, information technology and transportation/distribution.
Major Cultural Events:
Mardi Gras (February or March)
Festival International de Louisiane (April)
Festivals Acadiens (October)
Ten Major Employers and Industry:
| Employer |
Industry |
| School Board of Lafayette Parish |
Education |
| LHC Group |
Health Care |
| The Ace Group |
Transportation |
| Acadian Ambulance and Air Med Service Inc. |
Medical / Transportation |
| University of Louisiana Lafayette |
Educational |
| Lafayette General Medical Center |
Medical |
| Wal-Mart Stores Inc. |
Retail Trade |
| Stuller Inc. |
Manufacturing |
| Island Operating Company |
Oil and Gas |
| Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center |
Medical |
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| Education |
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Number of Students: 16,300 (2007)
Major Courses:
Colleges of : Applied Life Sciences, Arts, Business Administration, Education, English, General Studies, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Sciences & Graduate School. ULL has world recognized areas of excellence including Louisiana and Deep South Studies, Computing and Telecommunications, Cultural and Eco-Tourism, Environmental Sciences and Biodiversity, Health Informatics, and Cognitive Science.
International Programs: 600 international students from 85 countries, ESOL (TOEFL)
Web site: www.louisiana.edu |
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| Links | |
| City Government |
www.lafayettegov.org |
| Economic Development |
www.lafayette.org |
| Chamber of Commerce |
www.lafchamber.org |
| Airport |
www.lafayetteairport.com |
| Tourism |
www.lafayettetravel.com |
| The International Center of Lafayette |
www.lecentre.org |
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