You know I love Acadiana and I plan on retiring there in the next year or so. Having said that, Lafayette is a small city that just does not have enough business or industry. Offshore oil drilling is done as long as $55
a barrel oil is the rule. The Hospital industry is good but I suspect it will not continue to expand and really what else is there? Lafayette just does not have the infrastructure to attract new large employers. I live in the DFW metroplex and new businesses are moving here all of the time. The reasons are low taxes, DFW airport, Alliance International Freight Airport, fantastic schools for employees kids, entertainment options, (I.E.Broadway type show, Opera, Texas World Speedway etc
) and I could go on and on. As a frequent visitor to Lafayette it amazes me how difficult it is to get around town for small city. I am not trying to be a downer, but I do not think some people realize the challenges that are faced in terms of attracting business and jobs to Lafayette; hence the difficult job the fund raisers have trying to raise the likes of 60 million dollars. I hope it can be done but it will not be a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination