EXCEL class explores vital subject to parish

Cutline: Taking part in the EXCEL class were, kneeling from left, Lauren Lopez, Albert Guidry, Kim Boudreaux; first row, Brent Manuel, Joy Zaunbrecher, board member, Amber Comeaux, Chalassie Kibodeaux, Gail Gillespie, Mary Comeaux, Peggy Sandidge, Leadership EXCEL coordinator, Kayla Boudreaux, Shana Roche, Mary Richard and Kayla Link, CEO Crowley Chamber of Commerce; and back row, Jim Lyons, Jr., Lesley Francis, Corey Stelly, Brian Parker, Paula Rigsby, Allie Ardoin, Yosha Ardoin, Cheryl Habetz and Doris Rose-Ross.

CROWLEY – The day’s session on Wednesday March 12 began with a presentation by Marion Fox, Jeff Davis Economic Development Director, at the Lacassine Industrial Park. Fox discussed advances being made in the area which have opened up many business and employment opportunities.

The goal of the day was to explore factors and issues involving area economic development and agriculture.

From Lacassine, the group went on to Diamond W Ranch and Turf Grass Farm located near Welch where Troy Romero conducted a tour. He discussed the diversity of economic activities conducted there.

Traveling on to Mermentau, the participants were given a power point presentation of the research being done at Verenium on the production of ethanol. They donned hard hats and safety glasses for a tour of the plant.

The afternoon’s program consisted of visiting the La. Rice Mill where they witnessed the entire process from receiving rice from farmers to the shipping of the product. Employees at NutrCea discussed how they are using discarded rice bran for nutritive purposes.

The day’s session ended at the Rice Experiment Station, with Dr. Don Groth speaking to the group, after which they were taken to several of the labs.

Coordinating the session were Cynthia Hoffpauir, CEO Jeff Davis Business Alliance, Kayla Link, CEO, Crowley Chamber of Commerce, Joy Zaunbrecher, Board Member, and Peggy Sandidge, EXCEL coordinator.

Participants attending were Yosha Ardoin, Kayla Boudreaux, Kim Boudreaux, Mary Comeaux, Diana Francis, Lesley Francis, Albert Guidry, Cheryl Habetz, Jim Lyons, Jr., Brent Manuel, Kasey Patin, Mary Richard, Paula Rigsby, Doris Rose-Ross, Chalasie Kibodeaux, Corey Stelly, Gail Gillespie, Allie Ardoin, Amber Comeaux, Hope Howie, Brian Parker, Lauren Lopez, and Shana Roche.

On April 16, the class will study Health & Social Services.

Applications for the 2008-09 class may be obtained from either the Crowley Chamber of Commerce or the Jeff Davis Business Alliance.