TEDA, SLEC resolve differences

After approximately two years of hard feelings that were attributed to personality and philosophical differences, the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority and the South Louisiana Economic Council have committed themselves to cooperate and work together for the region’s betterment.

SLEC CEO Vic Lafont said during a 53-minute joint meeting of the two organization’s executive committees last Tuesday that changes in staffing and board membership make this move possible for the betterment of each organization. “This represents the next generation of home grown companies,” he said.

“We cannot expand as a region if we remain contained to just Terrebonne Parish,” TEDA CEO Steve Vassallo said. “What is good for the region is good for us.”

Members of both executive councils were cautious when referring to past differences and those asked declined going on the record when it came to details of the rift.

“I think we are reaching a point where we are beyond [hard feelings],” SLEC Board of Directors member J.J. Buquet said.

“There has been a lot of water that needed to be under the bridge that now is under the bridge,” added TEDA Commissioner Mike Voisin. “We have missed some opportunities, but let’s move forward. That’s our mission.”

TEDA is the economic development arm of Terrebonne Parish with appointed commissioners, representing various business and community-related organizations that require approval of the Terrebonne Parish Council for placement and traditionally focused exclusively on the one parish.

SLEC is one of eight non-profit 501-C3 economic development agencies in the state, established to support regional economic development as a strategic partner with Louisiana Economic Development. SLEC is designed to cover interests of Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes.

Lafont said by working together, TEDA and SLEC would cut out duplicity and be able to coordinate efforts more efficiently and effectively. “The most prevailing thing we can do [to help one another] is the infusion of technology to be more competitive in the global marketplace,” he said.

TEDA had previously been a member of SLEC, but had taken steps to break that association. Members of the TEDA executive committee now said that they would seek approval of their full board of commissioners to restore that membership.

SLEC members said they would approach Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet to consider the possibilities of returning TEDA to SLEC membership.

“It is to our advantage to have a great working relationship with SLEC,” Claudet said when asked about the outcome of the joint meeting.

“We all know the synergy of working together where we all become stronger. Terrebonne Parish cannot look only within our own boundaries. We have to look at the regional aspect of projects and their multi-parish economic effects.”

Lafont said that by working together, the four parishes it represents could provide 4,320 jobs that produce an annual payroll of $180 million. “That is because we are a regional development corporation,” he said.

“I think this is good for the region,” TEDA Commissioner Lori Davis said.

“If one parish wins, we all win. We need to start selling [ourselves] as a region.”

“This [meeting] needed to happen,” Vassallo said. “I think we are on the same page now.”

Terrebonne Economic Development Authority CEO Steve Vassallo, left, and South Louisiana Economic Council CEO Vic Lafont share a lunch to demonstrate a healing relationship between the two organizations. MIKE NIXON