St. Landry Economic Development

10/21/2026

📣 ST. LANDRY PARISH, YOU'RE INVITED!

💼 CLOSE THE GAP. BUILD YOUR TEAM.

St. Landry Economic Development, in partnership with the St. Landry Chamber of Commerce, invites you to our FREE Workforce Development Series, part of our Business Development Series with the LSBDC at UL Lafayette.

SESSION 1 | Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM– 10:30 AM

🔹 Louisiana Works & the Skills Gap Analysis

Explore workforce training programs and learn how to identify and address skill gaps within your business.

🔗 Register for Session 1:
https://www2.lsbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=8460095

SESSION 2 | Wednesday, November 4
Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM

🔹 Recruiting & Retaining Employees

Learn strategies for attracting qualified candidates, improving hiring practices, and retaining employees.

🔗 Register for Session 2:
https://www2.lsbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=8460096

📍 LOCATION:
St. Landry Economic Development
5367 I-49 S. Service Road
Opelousas, LA 70570

Networking begins at 8:30 AM, followed by presentations at 9:00 AM.

✅ Both sessions are FREE! Choose the session that best fits your needs, or register for both!

Business owners, employers, and community leaders, we encourage you to attend! Can't make it? Share this post and help spread the word to someone who could benefit.

Let's strengthen our workforce and support business growth throughout St. Landry Parish!

10/19/2026

Behind St. Landry Parish’s economic growth is a team focused on supporting businesses, attracting investment and building partnerships. Meet the St. Landry Economic Development team. https://www.opportunitystlandry.com/news-and-events/p/item/69771/faq-page

10/12/2026

Growing a business takes the right resources and connections. St. Landry Economic Development helps local businesses and entrepreneurs access support to start, expand and succeed. Explore business resources. https://www.opportunitystlandry.com/news-and-events/p/item/69771/faq-page

10/05/2026

Ready to turn a business idea into something more? The Cajun Acceleration Station provides entrepreneurs with workspace, networking and classes designed to support business growth. Connect with SLED to get started: https://www.opportunitystlandry.com/news-and-events/p/item/69771/faq-page

09/29/2026

CLOSE THE GAP. BUILD YOUR TEAM.

St. Landry Economic Development, in partnership with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) and the St. Landry Chamber of Commerce, is continuing our Business Development Series with a FREE two-part workforce development series designed to help local businesses build stronger teams.

Whether you’re trying to identify workforce gaps, improve recruiting, or retain great employees, these sessions will provide practical tools and resources you can put to work in your business.

SESSION 1 | Identify Your Workforce Gaps
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: St. Landry Economic Development Office

Join Tellin Fontenot, Workforce Development Consultant with R4 Louisiana Works, to learn about the WORKS Training Fund and other Louisiana Works programs and initiatives available to help businesses train and develop their teams.

Then, Ryan Devillier, Center Director of LSBDC at UL Lafayette, will lead business owners through a practical Skills Gap Analysis to help identify specific gaps within their workforce and determine where available training resources can help close them.

Register for Session 1: https://www2.lsbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=8460095

SESSION 2 | Recruit & Retain the Right Team

Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: St. Landry Economic Development

Join Jennifer Adcock, MS, SPHR, ACC, Partner with Excelerant, as she brings her HR and leadership-coaching expertise to help business owners build stronger teams from the ground up.

Jennifer will cover how to:
• Write job descriptions that attract the right candidates
• Strengthen your recruiting approach
• Put retention practices in place that keep good employees
• Build a stronger team for long-term success

Whether you're hiring for the first time or working to reduce turnover, you’ll walk away with practical tools you can use right away.

Register for Session 2: https://www2.lsbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=8460096

Two sessions. Practical tools. Stronger teams.

Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your workforce and build a stronger foundation for your business.

09/28/2026

St. Landry Economic Development is moving St. Landry Parish forward by supporting businesses, attracting investment and building partnerships. Learn how SLED is creating opportunities for growth: https://www.opportunitystlandry.com/news-and-events/p/item/69771/faq-page

09/23/2026

We are proud to celebrate St. Landry Economic Development Specialist and Opelousas Downtown Development District Downtown Revitalization Project Specialist Brittany Cretchain on being named an Inaugural 64 Parish Passport Directory Honoree. The recognition highlights her contributions to economic development, community leadership, and service throughout St. Landry Parish. Cretchain will be recognized during the 4th Annual Louisiana Leads Luncheon and Awards on October 9 in Baton Rouge. https://www.opportunitystlandry.com/news-and-events/p/item/69754/brittany-cretchain-named-inaugural-64-parish-passport-directory-honoree

09/15/2026

📣 **JOB SEEKERS — WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU REALLY LOOKED AT YOUR RESUME?**

If your resume still looks the same as it did a few years ago, it may be time for a **RESUME REFRESH!** ✨

Your resume is often your **first impression with an employer**. Let’s make sure it’s saying the right things about you.

St. Landry Economic Development is partnering with **Acadiana Workforce Solutions WIB #40** to offer **FREE, hands-on resume assistance** for job seekers.

📅 **Thursday, September 17, 2026**
⏰ **1:00–3:00 PM**
📍 **St. Landry Economic Development**
5367 I-49 S. Service Rd., Opelousas

Bring your current resume and get help with:

✅ Making your resume look polished and professional
✅ Highlighting your skills and accomplishments
✅ Tailoring your resume to the jobs you want
✅ Making your experience stand out to employers
💻 **Laptops and printing will be available!**

Whether you're **looking for your first job, searching for something new, or ready to make your next career move**, come get the tools you need to put your best foot forward.

**FREE. OPEN TO ALL JOB SEEKERS.**

📞 Questions? Call **337-948-1391**

✨ **Don’t just submit a resume. Submit a resume that gets noticed.**

09/14/2026

👀 LET’S BE HONEST…

You don’t need another idea sitting in a notebook.

You need more customers.

And you need a plan to make that happen.

That’s why we’re hosting 30 Days to More Customers — a hands-on workshop designed to help small business owners stop guessing, get focused, and take action.

💡 In just one afternoon, you’ll work on a plan for the NEXT 30 DAYS of your business.

We’ll talk about:
➡️ How to get more people to notice your business
➡️ Simple marketing strategies you can actually use
➡️ How to stay consistent instead of starting and stopping
➡️ What you can do RIGHT NOW to turn attention into customers

And the best part?

You won’t leave with just a bunch of notes. You’ll leave with a plan.

📅 Tuesday, September 22
⏰ 4:30 PM
📍 St. Landry Economic Development
5367 I-49 S. Service Road, Opelousas

🎤 Presented by Shawnee Milburn, Owner of Precise Tax & Financial Services, LLC

Whether you’ve been in business for years or you’re just getting started, this workshop is for you.

🔥 30 days. One plan. More action.

Are you ready?

👉 REGISTER HERE:
https://forms.gle/ySRwd8EU2g7sK2Wz6

Event Timing: September 22, 2026 4:30 PM Event Address: 5367 I-49 S. Service Rd., Opelousas, LA 70570 Contact us at (337) 948-1391 or [email protected]