One Acadiana

What One Acadiana does

One Acadiana is a nonprofit chamber of commerce and regional economic development organization serving the nine-parish Acadiana region of South Louisiana. Founded in 2012 through the merger of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the Acadiana Chamber of Commerce, the organization represents more than 700 member, investor, and partner organizations and operates from Lafayette. It functions both as the recognized Chamber of Commerce for Lafayette and as the convener of regional economic development resources across Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Jeff Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion parishes, focusing on six target industries: Aerospace, Agribusiness, Energy, Manufacturing, Maritime, and Software. Core services include a tiered membership program, the Ambassador Program, site selection and business incentives navigation, the Certified Sites Program, the 1A ConnectEd workforce development initiative, the 55 by 25 postsecondary attainment push, the Vibrant Acadiana urban revitalization initiative, the Invest Acadiana Opportunity Zone initiative, the Leadership Institute of Acadiana, and the biennial Leadership Exchange.

The organization runs a sales-led, event-driven go-to-market. Members pay tiered annual dues structured as CEO Advisory Council ($100,000+), Chairman's Circle ($50,000-$99,999), and President's Circle ($25,000-$49,999), with broader membership below those levels. Revenue is supplemented by event sponsorships (Connections, AWN, Experts, Impact, Legislative Outlook) and registration fees (Leadership Exchange 2026: $3,000 early bird, $3,200 general). Membership acquisition relies on direct outreach, an annual Ambassador Program, and the GrowthZone platform, which powers the business directory, job board, event registration, and community calendar. Underlying technology assets include a GIS-based site selection tool, regional data dashboards, and a GrowthZone CRM — none of which constitute a proprietary technology product in the venture sense; the organization's competitive assets are its network of 700+ members, utility partners (Entergy, SLEMCO, CLECO, Atmos Gas), state-level relationships (Louisiana Economic Development), and convening authority across the nine parishes.

The small staff (1-10 reported employees) supports an unusually broad mandate. Recent economic development wins attributed to the organization's regional coordination include First Solar's $1.1 billion New Iberia manufacturing facility (800+ employees), Saronic Technologies' $300 million St. Mary Parish expansion (1,500+ jobs projected), and Walmart's $330 million Opelousas reinvestment. The 2025-2029 IMPACT campaign formalizes a five-year agenda around job attraction, workforce, livability, and regional advocacy. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and the entity is not investment-eligible in the conventional sense; this analysis is framed for PE/VC/M&A audiences evaluating regional economic momentum, partnership and site selection opportunities, or co-investment theses in the Acadiana corridor rather than equity in One Acadiana itself.

Name

One Acadiana

Legal name

One Acadiana

Website

https://oneacadiana.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

One Acadiana is a nonprofit chamber of commerce and regional economic development organization serving 700+ member businesses across a nine-parish region in South Louisiana, offering tiered membership, site selection, workforce development, and advocacy programs targeting aerospace, energy, manufacturing, maritime, agribusiness, and software industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lafayette

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: One Acadiana generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues paid by businesses and organizations across the nine-parish region. Membership tiers are differentiated by investment level, with major investors contributing at CEO Advisory Council ($100,000+), Chairman's Circle ($50,000-$99,999), and President's Circle ($25,000-$49,999) levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

One Acadiana operates as the Chamber of Commerce for Lafayette and the regional economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region in South Louisiana. It sells annual memberships to businesses and organizations, providing networking, advocacy, and business development resources. Its core offerings include site selection and economic development services, workforce development programs (1A ConnectEd, 55 by 25), the Certified Sites Program, small/minority business services, leadership development (Leadership Institute of Acadiana), and event programming for the regional business community.

Product overview

One Acadiana is a Chamber of Commerce and regional economic development organization serving a nine-parish region in South Louisiana. The organization offers a unified membership program as its core product, providing access to networking, advocacy, and business development resources. Supporting this core are specialized programs including the Ambassador Program for volunteer business leaders, Economic Development Services (site selection, incentives navigation, market research, workforce connection), 1A ConnectEd (workforce development connecting business and education), Vibrant Acadiana (urban revitalization initiative), Invest Acadiana (Opportunity Zone investment support), Data Dashboards (regional metrics tracking), Leadership Institute of Acadiana and Leadership Exchange (leadership development), Business Retention & Expansion Program, Small & Minority Business Services, Talent Attraction services, and the Certified Sites Program. These products and programs collectively position One Acadiana as the primary voice of the regional business community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 1A ConnectEd: Suite of activities connecting business and education to strengthen workforce pipeline, including industry roundtables and educator programs.
• Vibrant Acadiana
• Invest Acadiana
• 55 by 25

Products and services

• Membership Program Annual membership providing organizations insight into the Lafayette and Acadiana business community, facilitating active involvement through exposure, connection, knowledge, and resources. Includes tiered investor levels (CEO Advisory Council $100,000+, Chairman's Circle $50,000-$99,999, President's Circle $25,000-$49,999) and access to a network of 700+ businesses.
• Economic Development Services Comprehensive economic development services including site selection, business incentives navigation, customized market research, workforce and talent availability data, access to business leadership, and regulatory navigation. Provided free of charge to businesses considering locations or expansion in the Acadiana region.
• Ambassador Program Statewide-recognized volunteer program where energetic business and community leaders champion and support businesses throughout the Acadiana region through events, connections, and advocacy. Includes a formal application process.
• 1A ConnectEd (Workforce Development) Workforce development initiative connecting business and education through quarterly industry roundtables (Healthcare, IT, Manufacturing, Skilled Trades), annual three-day 1A ConnectEd Educator Workshop, career fairs, and industry tours to strengthen the regional workforce pipeline.
• Invest Acadiana (Opportunity Zone Initiative) Initiative supporting Opportunity Zone investment across the nine-parish region, raising awareness of 25 federally designated Opportunity Zones and connecting investors, projects, and communities around high-impact opportunities. Includes a regional Opportunity Zone prospectus and mapping tools developed with the Acadiana Planning Commission.
• Leadership Institute of Acadiana Leadership development program providing education, community awareness, and hands-on experiences that prepare graduates to improve the Acadiana region. Includes the flagship Leadership Lafayette program (650+ alumni) and provides the region with an ongoing source of diverse leaders at all levels of business expertise.
• Certified Sites Program Site development program certifying land within the nine-parish region as development-ready through rigorous review of zoning, title work, environmental studies, and soil analysis. The program coordinates with utility partners (Entergy, SLEMCO, CLECO, Atmos Gas) to present competitive sites to potential companies.
• Small & Minority Business Services Program offering one-on-one counseling, direct services, and referrals for small, women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, including business formation assistance, business plan development, and government contract certification support (DBE, MBE, SBA). Partners with Louisiana SBDC, The Opportunity Machine, and Louisiana APEX Accelerator.
• Talent Attraction Services Customized community tours and recruitment services for investor companies to showcase the Acadiana region to candidates or newly-hired personnel, helping attract skilled professionals and supporting talent attraction for member companies.
• Business Retention & Expansion Program Program focused on face-to-face visitation with businesses to identify challenges and opportunities, develop action plans, and create follow-up relationships for long-term business community engagement and retention.
• Leadership Exchange Biennial three-day trip program allowing top business and community leaders to explore challenges and innovations in other cities, building relationships and bringing new ideas back to strengthen the region. Leadership Exchange 2026 includes round-trip chartered flight, two-night hotel stay at The Westin Chattanooga, select meals, and access to all sessions and networking events.
• Vibrant Acadiana Initiative launched in 2021 to enhance quality of place and champion a thriving urban core through civic conversations (CivicCon Acadiana series), targeted advocacy, and urban revitalization efforts.
• Data Dashboards Regional data tracking system monitoring key metrics on population, employment, education, and well-being to inform civic conversation on community vibrancy and growth across the nine-parish region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,000+ new jobs created in 2025 as part of the IMPACT 2025-2029 campaign
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Acadia Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization of the Acadiana Economic Development Council (AEDC), a non-profit representing primary economic development organizations in the seven Acadiana parishes. AEDC provides regional coordination and shapes the region's plans and programming.
• Iberia Industrial Development FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization of the Acadiana Economic Development Council (AEDC), working collaboratively on regional marketing, advocacy, and business climate enhancement efforts.
• Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization of AEDC and a key local partner for One Acadiana. LEDA is the primary economic development organization for Lafayette Parish, co-hosting events like the 1A ConnectEd Workshop and collaborating on talent attraction and community tours for investor companies.
• St. Landry Parish Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Bill Rodier, who serves as Chair of AEDC. Partner on business development, Walmart's $330M Opelousas distribution center reinvestment, and regional economic initiatives.
• St. Martin Economic Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of AEDC; Jennifer Stelly serves as Chair of One Acadiana's Business & Site Development committee. Collaborates on site certification and business development across the region.
• Vermilion Economic Development AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization of AEDC representing Vermilion Parish in the nine-parish regional economic development network.
• Evangeline Industrial Development Board No. 1coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization of AEDC representing Evangeline Parish in the regional economic development council structure.
• EntergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility partner co-listed with One Acadiana's site selection resources. Entergy is referenced as a key infrastructure partner for businesses considering locations in the Acadiana region.
• SLEMCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility partner co-listed on the Site Development page and partner in triple site certification in Youngsville. SLEMCO is part of the utility coordination network supporting economic development site readiness.
• CLECOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility partner and co-chair of One Acadiana's Governmental Affairs committee (Tommy Hebert). CLECO supports site development and infrastructure advocacy across the region.
• Atmos GascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility partner co-listed as a local utility and economic development partner for businesses exploring the Acadiana region.
• Acadiana Workforce SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce partner co-hosting the 1A ConnectEd Workshop and collaborating on career fairs, industry tours, and youth work experience programs that connect businesses with local talent pipelines.
• Louisiana Economic Development (LED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level economic development agency and key partner in site certification (LED Certified Sites Program), business incentives, FastStart workforce program, and regional business development coordination. LED is a partner in numerous announcements including Turner Industries expansion and Walmart reinvestment.
• Acadiana Planning CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leader of the Invest Acadiana Opportunity Zone initiative with One Acadiana, producing the regional Opportunity Zone prospectus and coordinating OZ mapping tools.
• Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) at UL LafayettecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for business plan revisions and free small business support services. One of 10 centers across Louisiana offering ongoing assistance with modern business solutions, access to capital, and business planning.
• The Opportunity Machine (theOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntrepreneurial acceleration and incubation center referral partner for rapid-growth startups. theOM offers training in deal making, technical delivery, and administration, with One Acadiana referring businesses seeking appropriate business model structuring.
• Louisiana APEX Accelerator (formerly Louisiana PTAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for technical assistance with government contracting, helping small businesses obtain and perform under U.S. Department of Defense, federal, state, and local government contracts.
• The Manufacturing Institute (FAME Catalyst Grant)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded One Acadiana a FAME Catalyst Grant to launch an Acadiana chapter of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME), strengthening the region's advanced manufacturing workforce pipeline.
• South Louisiana Community College (SoLAcc)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the 1A ConnectEd Workshop and provider of the International School for Aviation Excellence (acquired from Bristow Academy). SoLAcc maintains 9 campuses across the region and strong ties to local businesses for job placement.
• Gulf Coast Chambers Network (GCCN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne Acadiana participated in a GCCN planning grant through the EDA's Recompete Pilot Program as part of efforts to expand the labor pool by tapping into underserved populations.
• Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne Acadiana participated in ACCE Foundation cohort programs focused on expanding the labor pool through underserved population engagement.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce: Regional chamber of commerce serving the Austin metro with combined membership, economic development, and advocacy functions. Comparable in tiered investor model, public policy advocacy, and workforce development programming.
• Greater New Orleans, Inc. Combined regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization serving the New Orleans 10-parish region. Most directly comparable to One Acadiana in structure (chamber + EDO under one roof) and in serving a Louisiana-based regional economy, though operating at a larger scale.
• Charlotte Regional Business Alliance: Combined chamber of commerce and economic development organization formed from the merger of the Charlotte Chamber and Charlotte Regional Partnership. Directly comparable in dual chamber + EDO structure, tiered investor model, and industry-targeting approach.
• Birmingham Business Alliance: Combined chamber of commerce and economic development partnership serving the Birmingham seven-county region. Direct peer in structure (chamber + EDO merged), tiered investor model, and focus on attracting capital investment and workforce development.
• Tampa Bay Partnership: Regional economic development organization serving the eight-county Tampa Bay region. Comparable in serving a multi-parish/county Gulf-adjacent economy with combined EDO functions, advocacy, and regional marketing efforts.
• Pittsburgh Regional Alliance: Regional economic development organization serving the 11-county Pittsburgh region, partnering with the Allegheny Conference. Comparable in multi-county regional structure, business recruitment, and workforce advocacy programming.
• Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce: Regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization serving Middle Tennessee. Comparable structure combining membership services, economic development, advocacy, and leadership programs for a multi-county region.
• Baton Rouge Area Chamber: Combined chamber of commerce and regional economic development organization serving the Baton Rouge Capital Region in Louisiana. Closest geographic and structural peer - similar tiered investor model, regional advocacy, and industry-targeting approach.

Broad incumbents

• Greater Houston Partnership: Major regional chamber and economic development organization serving the 12-county Greater Houston region. Comparable in dual chamber + EDO role but operates at significantly larger scale with broader energy industry exposure.
• Metro Atlanta Chamber: Regional chamber of commerce serving metro Atlanta with combined membership, economic development, and policy advocacy functions. Comparable structure but operates at much larger enterprise scale than One Acadiana.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/oneacadiana
• Instagraminstagram.com/oneacadiana
• Xx.com/oneacadiana

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about One Acadiana