Southwest Louisiana Economic Intel

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/ [https://portlc.com/]

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/ [https://www.allianceswla.org/]

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://ehealthyimage.com/] https://thriveswla.com/ [https://thriveswla.com/]

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/ [https://flylakecharles.com/]

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/ [https://www.allenparishpolicejury.com/]