Houma chamber exec settling into job

Drake Pothier is nearing the half-year mark as president of the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce and he’s liking what he sees so far.

The 29-year-old came to Houma after spending four-and-a-half years at the Lafayette Chamber and 16 months at the Fort Smith (Ark.) Regional Chamber of Commerce. He said the economy in Terrebonne is booming and has few weaknesses.

“The job is fantastic,” Pothier said. “I enjoy working with the staff and the volunteers. There’s never a dull moment.”

Pothier said he views Houma as having both progressive and traditional outlooks, with the work ethic in Terrebonne Parish perhaps the local economy’s strongest aspect.

“We appreciate the past at the same time we recognize the strength of the economy we’re sitting on,” he said.

He is also impressed by the parish government leadership and the parish’s state legislative delegation. The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber works well with the South Central Industrial Association, the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority and other chambers in the area, Pothier said.

“It trickles down from the leadership,” he said. “They’re people who can make tough decisions, consulting with each other. With unprecedented growth here, the leadership is able to harness the energy of the growth. People here are up to that challenge.”

Chambers of commerce are more than associations of businesses, he said. They furnish a way for members to have a wider impact.

“The chamber provides a way for us to speak with one voice,” Pothier said. “The chamber is about community development, not just economic development.”

One glaring drawback to the local economy is the high cost of homes. House prices in the Houma area rose higher in 2007 than in any other city in the country, according to several publications.

Pothier said the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber has discussed the lack of affordable housing with the Louisiana Workforce Commission, formerly the Department of Labor.

“It’s a challenge for people looking to relocate,” he said. “There are limited housing opportunities. The economy is booming.”

“You can’t find a house for between $125,000 and $150,000,” he said. “(High home prices) are great for people who already live here. For those interested in working here, they need a place to stay.”

An upside to the economic growth in Houma is the flourishing of retail outlets in the area, from new restaurants to haircutters.

“As long as the oil and gas sector stays as strong as it is – and there’s no reason to think otherwise – retail will flourish. Retail follows a strong economy and Terrebonne has such a strong economy.”

Approaching the half-year mark as president of the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce, Drake Pothier is glad to be working within the area’s growing economy. * Photo by MIKE BROSSETTE