New LEDA head unveils three-year strategic plan to position parish in coming decades – The Advocate

The Lafayette Economic Development Authority unveiled a three-year strategic plan, one that new president and CEO Mandi Mitchell says will enhance existing and add new service lines to position Lafayette Parish for success over the next 50 years.

Mitchell, hired last fall after years with the Louisiana Economic Development office, announced the agencys Strategic Plan and subsequent Business Plan, which outlines annual goals for the organization and staff, after meeting with community and business leaders. The plan establishes a baseline of understanding the agencys role in the parish and its strengths and areas of improvement.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have inherited and now lead an organization with such a strong foundation, Mitchell said. Together, we will build upon that foundation to enhance and strengthen LEDAs services and our commitment to moving Lafayettes economy forward through the implementation of this Strategic Plan.

The plan sets goals for business development and climate and includes the agencys vision and mission statements along with a commitment to diversity.

I want to congratulate Mandi, the LEDA staff, and my fellow board members for developing a Strategic Plan that is purposeful, intentional, and inclusive, LEDA board chair Ramesh Kolluru said. This plan will serve to point us in the direction of true north and ensure LEDA perseveres to create and accelerate economic development opportunities for all of Lafayette, for all of our communities and for all of our people.

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The agency will track and measure its success by comparing annual several metrics, including unemployment rate, labor force participation rate, population growth, property tax base growth and sales tax growth, economic diversification and number of business startups by year. It will also track its own business attraction results based on leads generated, deals closed and indirect jobs created by those deals.

LEDAs strategic plan provides a clear vision that is supported by the organization's leaders and also includes the detailed guidance needed to create robust future economic growth in Lafayette, LED Secretary Don Pierson said. LEDA will continue to develop a high quality workforce, maintain a commitment to diversity and inclusion and track and measure success. There is no question these efforts will also include elevating Lafayettes brand globally.

According to its Values Statement, LEDA will commit to working with business, government, education, civic and nonprofit partners, the statement read. Its commitment to diversity indicates it is committed to developing a team with various backgrounds, skills, and perspectives to support clients and diverse businesses and business owners in Lafayette Parish.

The work LEDA has done and continues to do is one of the main drivers behind Lafayettes continued economic growth, Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory said. This plan will only further enhance efforts to continue growing the economy, adding quality jobs and attracting new business and industry to Lafayette Parish.

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New LEDA head unveils three-year strategic plan to position parish in coming decades - The Advocate