“Three regional economic development organizations have combined resources under a new umbrella coalition to strengthen the business recruiting and retention efforts for Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis parishes. The boards of The Chamber SWLA, The Chamber Foundation SWLA, and the Southwest Louisiana Partnership for Economic Development have approved the formation of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. The “Alliance” will combine the staff and resources of the three groups at the Willis Noland Resource Center at 120 West Pujo Street in Lake Charles which is the current location of the Chamber and Foundation.
George Swift has been named the President/CEO of this new organization. Swift is the founding executive director of the Partnership and has served as Interim President/CEO of the Chamber and Foundation since May 2006.
Bill Willis, Chairman of the Chamber SWLA and Chamber Foundation Boards and CEO of Women & Children’s Hospital, said, “The combination of these public and private organizations is a major breakthrough in regional cooperation. Under this new arrangement, each board will remain intact and set its own policy. The Chamber and Foundation will be strengthened and the Chamber will retain our ability to take stands on public issues. We realize that there may be times when the Boards disagree, but we can work together a vast majority of the time.”
Mayor Randy Roach of Lake Charles and Vice-Chairman of the Partnership agrees, “This will help the five parishes in our region leverage these combined resources for economic development and comes at a crucial time when we are rebuilding Southwest Louisiana.”
Mike Heinen, Vice-Chair for Economic Development for the Chamber and Chamber Foundation Board of Directors & General Manager of the Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative said: “The Foundation is a vehicle with which we raise private funds, and the Partnership will bring in public funding. The most successful economic development organizations in the nation have put public and private resources together for their programs and that is what we are doing. This is a winning enterprise and we are all encouraged by what Southwest Louisiana stands to gain from this alliance. We urge all businesses to join with us as Chamber members and as investors in the Chamber Foundation.”
Swift commented: “The new SWLA Economic Development Alliance is part of an overall vision to build the best chamber in the state and the best economic development organization in the state. We have much work to do including the re-accreditation of the chamber, continuing to provide outstanding services for our members as well as increasing membership, and putting together the most aggressive marketing plan ever for the region. The Boards of these organizations are all committed to this regional vision and the outlook is great for Southwest Louisiana. If we work together and take advantage of our tremendous resources, Southwest Louisiana can be stronger than ever.”
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