Now that school is out, let the vacations begin!

As much as the fun and sun are quite appealing, please also know that your Chamber is still on patrol with keeping a legislative watch. With the 2nd Louisiana special session in full force, more information is forthcoming on what business owners and managers will be up against in an already tumultuous economic business climate.

I want to personally thank those community leaders who have made efforts to voice opinions in the name of the River Region business community.

Just last month, a group of Chamber members flew to Washington DC on a special trip to visit and discuss regional concerns with our Louisiana legislators. Items on the agenda include: flood protection, funding for levee construction, agricultural business concerns and the new labor regulation with overtime, among other topics.

Many thanks to Jeff Brooks and Courtney Jowers with Adams & Reese in helping coordinate all logistics for this opportunity. Extra special thanks to all legislators who took time to visit with us during a busy day at the capital.

Sincerest thanks to the following for taking time to visit with us: Sen. Bill Cassidy, Sen. David Vitter, Representatives Steve Scalise, Cedric Richmond, Charles Boustany, John Fleming, Ralph Abraham and Garret Graves.

Thank you to the following for attending and helping us represent our Region: Cox Communications, Echo Ventures, Valero, Rainbow Chevrolet, IMTT, Dufeco Planting Co., Urban Systems Inc., Port of South Louisiana, St. John and St. Charles Parish Government and Guidry & Associates.

Lastly, we could not have made this trip possible without the contribution of the following sponsors: Dow (Presenting Sponsor), Valero, Mosaic, Cox, Ochsner Medical Center, Port of South Louisiana, Nalco, Norco Manufacturing Complex, Urban Systems Inc. and IMTT.

The next General Membership meeting will be held June 29 at Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie. LABI president Stephen Waguespack will be the featured speaker to give his legislative recap and talk more in depth about the increasing economic conditions we will face as a region in the coming months.

If you have not registered, please do so!

Now is the time to come out and interact with fellow members and further discuss how we can continue to strengthen partnerships and work together to become an even stronger region.

 

Annette B. Wray 

River Region Chamber Chair 

Service Manager, Cox Business