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Since becoming executive director of the Vermilion Economic Development Alliance (VEDA) in late 2014, Anne Falgout and 15 volunteer members of the board have worked to bring business and growth to Vermilion Parish.
With ‘18 in the review, Falgout spoke last week to members of the Kiwanis Club of Abbeville about some of the things this year has in store. Falgout said meeting with groups like the Kiwanis Club helps create a better view of what the community needs.
“Economic development is not just in a silo,” Falgout said, “where we decide what communities look like, and then we go out and do that. We really like to collaborate. We have representatives from every municipality, different government entities and the business community on our board.
“We really care about what all the groups in Vermilion Parish want and putting that together to build a bigger vision.”
An import part of building that vision is having a plan, something Falgout said is done piece by piece.
“When a sports team begins a season,” Falgout said, “they don’t anticipate the headlines with the trophy raised above their heads at the end of the season. It’s really about the process. It’s about the workouts, learning the plays and really coming together as a team.
“That’s the way we look at it. It’s about putting things together in a very planned, methodical way, so that we can see what works.”
Much of that planning goes into VEDA’s number one concern, business development.
“We look at that as two different things,” Falgout said. “That’s helping entrepreneurs start businesses, creating an environment for that, and attracting people to fill in the gaps where there might be some. The other piece is community development. This is how our organization might be a little different from other economic development organizations in the area. Rural communities need a lot of support, not just in the traditional business assistance, but also creating a place that people want to be, live and work.”
Falgout referenced the City of Kaplan’s effort to become an official retirement community.
“Kaplan told us that they want to be designated a retirement-ready community,” Falgout said. “We are helped them to figure out what the economic benefits were. We helped with the application (through the state). We’re waiting to see what the lieutenant governor says.”
If the process goes through, Falgout said it would offer a great tool to help growth in the city.
“We could start marketing Kaplan,” Falgout said, “as a place for people with the means to retire, and want a quint place to retire, should do it there. We couple leverage that to get grants for cultural improvement and attract businesses that target retirees.
“It all happens in tandem.”
It’s similar in the way VEDA is moving forward with its funding. Initially funded largely from municipalities and government entities in the parish, Falgout said private funding is playing a role. Falgout said several businesses have pledged support, whether its a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars.
“They have bought in and are putting up their hard-earned money,” Falgout said. “They want to make sure that businesses like theirs succeed.”
Falgout said VEDA has secured $44,500 in public and a $20,000 commitment from the Vermilion Parish Police Jury. The organization also received a $60,387 in USDA funds for technical assistance provided. Falgout stressed that theses funds are there to help make anyone who has a stake in the economic success of Vermilion Parish.
“People always ask me how much are our services,” Falgout said. “I tell them that they are complimentary at point of service. You pay taxes to government entities, who have helped fund us and are partnered with us. You have paid for us, so you might as well take advantage of all our services.
“Don’t leave the money on the table.”

Miss Mattalyn Alisa Suire of Erath and Mr. Hayden Richard Luquette of Abbeville are announcing their engagement and forth coming marriage.
Their wedding will take place on Saturday, March 2, 2019, during a 6:30 p.m. ceremony at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville officiated by Fr. Louie Richard.
Mattalyn is the daughter of Lisa Trahan, spouse of Damian Trahan and Matthew Suire, spouse of Bridget Suire. She is the youngest of four children. Her siblings are Jacquelyn Suire, Keisha Suire and the late Brandy Suire Landry. Her maternal grandparents are Earl L. Frederick and Helen Morvant Frederick of Erath and the late Andrew Trahan Sr. and Mary Trahan of Erath. Her paternal grandparents are the late Francis and Rita Suire of Abbeville.
The future bride is a 2014 graduate of Erath High School and a 2018 graduate of LSU School of Dentistry. Mattalyn currently works for Magnolia Family Dentistry as a Dental Hygienist.
Hayden is the son of Keith and Julianna Luquette of Abbeville. He is the younger brother of Hunter Luquette. His paternal grandparents are the late Edward and Evelyn Luquette of Abbeville. Maternal grandparents are Lorraine Broussard and the late Harvey Broussard of Forked Island.
Hayden is a 2012 graduate of Vermilion Catholic High School and is currently employed by United Vision.

Schedule of Events for the Martin Luther King, Jr Celebration is as follows:
The Annual Faith Hope Christian Fellowship will be held at 405 Duroq St. in Abbeville on Wednesday, January 16 through Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 at 7 p.m. with Bishop B. K. Stevens, Pastor.
The Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast will take place on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 at 9 a.m. at Greater Pleasant Green Baptist Church with Rev M.L. Derouen, Pastor and guest speaker, Pastor Lane Payne of New Life Church in Abbeville.
The Church sit-in Service will be held at Shiloh B.C. at 607 N. Guidry Street in Kaplan with Wayne Landry, Pastor on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019 at 9 a.m.
The Annual Day of Celebration will kick off on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019 beginning with the stomp service on the corner of IJ Joiner and Green Street. The guest speaker will be pastor/elder Calvin Broussard of Our House of Faith Church in Abbeville. The service will begin with a march from Greater Pleasant Green B.C. starting at 9:30 a.m.
Parade lineup will follow at 10:30 a.m. at Comeaux Park. Parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. going down State Street and returning to the point of origination. The program will follow the parade.
2019 parade Grand Marshals are Rev. Charles Hill, retired Methodist Pastor and Mrs. Anita Levy of St. Theresa Catholic Church.
“It Takes All Of Us To Build A Community #Unity”

Miss Alaina Hulin and Mr. Nicholas Gossen were united in holy matrimony during a ceremony at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville, LA on January 12, 2019.
Deacon Coby Thomas, first cousin of the bride, officiated the ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Hulin of Abbeville. Grandparents are Susan Dubois, Leanne Landry and the late Howard Landry, Sr., the late Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Hulin Sr. and the late Glenn Gastal.
Parents of the groom are Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gossen of Rayne. His grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Gossen Sr. of Roberts Cove and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Constantin of Rayne.
A reception was held immediately following the ceremony at The Warehouse located in Rayne.
The couple will reside in Roberts Cove, LA.
The groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner on January 7, 2019 at Midway On The Square in Abbeville, LA.