Why I Moved My Business to Lafayette, LA — And You Should, Too
Leaders from two companies that relocated to Lafayette share why it was the right move.
Doing business in Lafayette, Louisiana, comes with lots of advantages, including business-friendly tax incentives, super-fast fiber optic internet, an impressive talent pool to hire from and an unmatched quality of life. Add to that the “joie de vivre” attitude of warm and friendly residents, and it’s no surprise that so many companies are looking to Lafayette to grow their enterprises.
Ahead, leaders from two companies that relocated here share why moving a business to Lafayette was the right move.
‘We Considered 15 Cities, and Lafayette Stood Out’
Bryan MacDonald, CEO, SchoolMint
SchoolMint is a software company serving the U.S. pre-K to12 education market. It is the first company to bring a comprehensive Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) solution to its customers to help them attract, enroll and retain students and staff. SchoolMint services thousands of customers, over 12 million students and families, and more than half of the largest school districts in the U.S.
The company specializes in online enrollment management. When COVID-19 hit, the company business, which was already growing quickly, really took off because parents couldn’t get to a physical school to register their children.
SchoolMint has approximately 250 employees, 100 of them located in Louisiana.
Why did SchoolMint relocate to Lafayette? What are the unique advantages of doing business here?
MacDonald: We chose to locate in Lafayette after a careful review of more than 15 cities around the U.S. Lafayette really stood out through its mix of affordability, business incentives and pro-business climate, quality of life and amazing talent pool of friendly and hardworking residents.
Lafayette is centrally located, has a brand new airport terminal, and the University of Louisiana Lafayette (home of the Ragin Cajuns) is a top-tier Carnegie R1 research university producing very high-quality graduates.
We were also impressed by Lafayette’s great quality of life, affordability and a strong and unique culture with distinctive food, music, and entertainment. Lafayette also has a vibrant arts scene and its dining options are second to none. Lafayette won “happiest city in America” and I can’t think of a better advertisement for a city than that.
What advice do you have for others who are considering launching or scaling their business in Lafayette?
Lafayette is working hard to attract business of all kinds. Lafayette and Louisiana have created a variety of incentives to help businesses attract and recruit talent, offer training and reskilling to workers, and even find very interesting real estate options.
If you are considering moving here, do your research and check into the various incentives; they aren’t always obvious, but Lafayette has various economic development organizations to support your relocation efforts like Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA), One Acadiana, the Downtown Development Authority, and property development resource organizations like the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority (LPTFA).
Lafayette is a great place to do business and the support from local organizations and available local incentives definitely add icing to the cake.
How would you describe the business climate in Lafayette?
Lafayette is very pro-business and job-creators are held in high regard.
The local government and its various agencies are always looking to support existing businesses and welcome new ones to the area.
As one example, we moved SchoolMint during the height of the COVID lockdown and even before we arrived in town, LEDA was helping us with virtual job fairs, virtual office location tours and more. That’s the kind of ‘roll out the red carpet’ that is very attractive for businesses considering the area.
Of course, part of making a relocation decision comes down to livability factors. What surprised you about Lafayette when you moved here?
The quality of life. Of course, we had been told Lafayette had a great quality of life, but words don’t do it justice. People are incredibly friendly and welcoming, the food scene is incredible, and there is always a festival or event happening.
People love to celebrate their heritage and culture here, and two of the largest free music festivals in the world happen here — Festival International de Louisiane and Festival Acadien et Creoles.
What’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday in Lafayette?
A great Saturday starts with the Farmers & Artists Market at Moncus Park, maybe with a fresh beignet and a walk through the park, then lunch at Pop’s Po Boys downtown followed by a Ragin Cajun baseball game at M.L. Tigue Moore field (I’m a baseball fan).
Best place in town for a coffee meeting?
For me, Reve Coffee Roasters in downtown Lafayette is the best place for a coffee meeting. It’s a wonderful local coffee roaster with fantastic coffee and treats, a nice and bright corner location, and weather permitting, great outdoor seating. It is right at the Welcome to Lafayette downtown sign and just feels like a great place to grab a cup with colleagues or new business partners.
‘The Quality of Life Is Exceptional Here’
Robert A. Schacht, CEO, WestField Hydraulics
Westfield Hydraulics designs and manufactures fluid controls for aerospace and defense applications. The company provides the solenoids, valves, and actuators that operate hydraulic, fuel and pneumatic systems on aircraft, military vehicles and spacecraft. The company has 27 employees and is in the process of hiring 67 locally.
Why did your company relocate to Lafayette?
Schacht: We wanted a business-friendly environment, a cost structure that allows us to scale, proximity to a university engineering school, and better quality of life for all our employees.
What are the unique advantages of doing business here?
Great people, great food and a highly motivated local government looking to diversify the industrial base.
What advice do you have for others who are considering launching or scaling their business in Lafayette?
The quality of life and the quality of schools here are exceptional. Demonstrate commitment to the community by moving your family to Lafayette and then lean heavily on the tremendous resources available at Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA).
In a few words, how would you describe the business climate in Lafayette?
The most supportive I’ve come across.
Of course, part of making a relocation decision comes down to livability factors. What surprised you about Lafayette when you moved here?
The generosity of spirit of the community and the can-do attitude about getting things done.
What’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday in Lafayette?
Good food and wine with our new friends.
Best place in town for a happy hour meet-up?
I have to say Pour Restaurant and Bar. Living in River Ranch and being able to drive my golf cart to a wine bar is fantastic.
This article was sponsored by Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, Lafayette Economic Development Authority and One Acadiana.
