Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel

Daniel Groft

Welcome to the Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel podcast. This brief monthly show covering the Southwest Louisiana economy is presented by the McNeese Drew Center for Business and Economic Analysis in partnership with the SWLA Economic Development Alliance. We hope you will spare around 15 minutes each month to join us as we discuss our region’s continued economic progress. For comments and suggestions, please email drewecon@mcneese.edu. For more information about the SWLA economy, please visit www.mcneesedrewecon.org.

  1. 06/02/2025

    Episode 13 – Richert Self, Port of Lake Charles

    The Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel Podcast speaks to Richert Self, Executive Director of the Port of Lake Charles. Join us as we discuss how Richert came into the position, the overall structure and some operations of the port, its major role in the area's economy, and where he sees the SWLA economy heading into the future. https://portlc.com/

  2. 12/27/2024

    Episode 12 – SWLA Economic Development, George Swift

    The Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel Podcast continues with its focus on the SWLA regional economy. Join us as we talk to George Swift. He is founding President and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. He has been involved in SWLA economic development for decades. We discuss how George came into the position, some of the events that have taken place during his tenure, and so much about the history and future of the SWLA economy. https://www.allianceswla.org/

  3. 09/29/2024

    Episode 11 – Marketing (Healthy Image and Thrive), Kristy Armand

    The Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel Podcast continues looking at industries in the SWLA region. Join us as we talk to Kristy Armand. She is founder of both Healthy Image Marketing Agency and Thrive Magazine. We discuss how Kristy came into the position and some of the interesting projects she’s taken on over the years. We also examine the important role of small businesses as well as marketing in the economy vs. marketing an economy / region. Finally, we hear about where she thinks the SWLA economy is headed in the future as well as how she has kept up with new technological developments during her career and will continue to into the future. https://ehealthyimage.com/ https://thriveswla.com/

  4. 07/26/2024

    Episode 10 – Lake Charles Regional Airport, Heath Allen

    The Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel Podcast has finished talking to all the parishes in our region and are moving back to industry and other facets important to the SWLA economy. Join us as we talk to Heath Allen. He is Executive Director of the Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH). We discuss how Heath came into the position, dealing with the events of 2020 (COVID, Storms), and the future of LCH. We also examine the important role of airports in economic development. Finally, we hear about where he thinks the SWLA economy is headed in the future as well as where he’d like to see the airport headed in the next few years. https://flylakecharles.com/

  5. 06/06/2024

    Episode 9 – Allen Parish, Jacob Dillehay

    The Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel Podcast continues looking at each of the parishes in the SWLA region. Allen Parish has a unique economy in that it is split between northern Louisiana and SWLA. Join us as we talk to Jacob Dillehay. He is the Parish Administrator / Engineer for the Allen Parish Police Jury. We discuss how Jacob came into the position, the Allen Parish economy, and talk about some of the developments underway. We also examine the economic roles played by commodities such as timber, services such as gaming, and energy related developments (solar, CCS) in the region. Finally, we hear about where the Allen Parish economy is headed in the future. https://www.allenparishpolicejury.com/

  6. 04/16/2024

    Episode 8 - Beauregard Parish, Lisa Adams

    The Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel Podcast continues looking at each of the parishes in the SWLA region. Beauregard Parish has the most timber in our region, but there’s much more to the area. Join us as we talk to Lisa Adams. She is the Director of the Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce. We discuss how Lisa came into the position, the Beauregard Parish economy, and delve into the role of the local chamber and the efforts underway to grow their parish economy. Finally, we talk about how the Beauregard Parish economy will develop in the future. https://www.beauchamber.org/ https://growingbeauregard.com/ https://www.atlantafed.org/economy-matters/regional-economics/2023/12/18/from-no-mans-land-to-everyones-town-deridder-louisiana

  7. 01/24/2024

    Episode 7 – Erin Davison and Ben Drouilhet; Big Brothers Big Sisters

    The Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel Podcast takes a break from looking at each of the five parishes in Southwest Louisiana to discuss charitable endeavors and donor/volunteer opportunities and how those play a role in the local community, lives of citizens, and the local economy. Today we are joined by Erin Davison and Ben Drouilhet. Erin is the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of SWLA. She has been at the helm of BBBS through the pandemic and SWLA natural disasters. Ben Drouilhet works here at the SWLA Economic Development Alliance as a Chamber Member Agent and is directly involved as a Big Brother in the organization. https://www.bbbsswla.org/

  8. 11/02/2023

    Episode 6 – Cameron Parish: Part 2, Kim Montie

    The Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel Podcast continues looking at each of the parishes in the SWLA region. Cameron Parish is so unique that we must spend two episodes exploring this area. This part focuses on the current situation of the Cameron Parish economy and what is in store for the area in the future. Join us as we talk to Kim Montie. She is the Director of the Cameron Parish Port, Harbor, and Terminal District, which falls in line with the role of economic development. We discuss how Kim came into the position, the Cameron Parish economy, and all the local challenges and successes that go along with the recovery. Finally, we talk about how the Cameron Parish economy will develop in the future.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel podcast. This brief monthly show covering the Southwest Louisiana economy is presented by the McNeese Drew Center for Business and Economic Analysis in partnership with the SWLA Economic Development Alliance. We hope you will spare around 15 minutes each month to join us as we discuss our region’s continued economic progress. For comments and suggestions, please email drewecon@mcneese.edu. For more information about the SWLA economy, please visit www.mcneesedrewecon.org.

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