Author: William Kalec

Situated along the Mississippi River, the Port of South Louisiana has always been an attractive destination for a variety of industries because of its diverse multimodal capabilities.  Be…

Call them splash pads. Call them splash parks. Call them spray parks. Whatever you call these modern recreational oases located on both the east and west banks of the Mississippi River near the Port of South Louisiana, their function and…

In his three-plus decades working for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA), Anselmo Rodriguez has worn several different hats for the trusted health care insurer. Starting in the company’s I.T. department, transitioning through finance and supply chain management,…

For Blue Wave International, a consulting firm that specializes in serving diverse and under-represented suppliers, the goal is grand but the process to achieve it is focused and concentrated: Change the World, One Supplier at a Time. Co-founded by Alma…

For the 4th time since 2017, the Port of South Louisiana’s Executive Regional Airport welcomed pilots from around the Southeast and more than 100 kids from the River Parishes and beyond for Aviation Awareness Day – a charity endeavor created…

Operations at the six deep draft ports along the Mississippi River – the Port of South Louisiana being one of them – impact the global economy, remain pertinent to our national security, and have been the economic lifeblood for thousands…

As enchanting as it is unique, Louisiana’s topography shapes this state’s identity and sustains our way of life.  From the wetlands hugging the coastline, to the Cajun prairies, and of course the winding Mississippi River stretching from the northern border…

Standing for decades as a symbol of south Louisiana’s economic stability and industrial strength, the old Avondale Shipyard is in the midst of an astonishing second act.  After operations closed on the site roughly a decade ago, Avondale was revived…

Having a plan is one thing. Possessing the perseverance to battle through unexpected obstacles when that plan ventures off script is quite another.  Ten…

Located at mile marker 108 along the Mississippi River, Avondale Shipyard was once more than just the largest employer in the state of Louisiana during its 20th century heyday, more than a vital hub for local, domestic, and international maritime…

Since its inception 25 years ago, the Jefferson Parish Chamber of Commerce has advocated for pro-business policies that promote and protect free enterprise. And while that idealistic mission is shared amongst all Chamber members, actually passing and implementing those pro-business…

Already an industry veteran by the time he opened Huseman & Associates – a Metairie-based MEP engineering firm – in 2005, namesake founder Jeffrey Huseman had a clear vision of what he wanted this new enterprise to be and not…

If the massive amounts of various raw materials and…

The more things change, the more they stay the same.” This concept, articulated by 19th century French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, was illustrated in real time on Twitter in early August, when The Nieux Society – a collection of New…

Noah Kunce and Nathan Mars – a defensive end and offensive lineman, respectively, on the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy varsity football team – joined another winning team for two weeks this summer: the administrative staff of the Port of South…

In 2018, Port of South Louisiana officials secured funding and commissioned construction of 10 rentable T-Hangars to store planes at the Executive Regional Airport, hoping to bring in new tenants and increased traffic for the airport. Much to their pleasant…

Technically speaking, “Hurricane Season” in South Louisiana lasts from June 1 to November 30. But the reality is, when you live in this part of the country—where the sheer power and destructive capabilities of these natural disasters can change lives…

In order to solve a decades-old problem, a systemic obstacle that’s made “The American Dream” more difficult than it should ever be for educated, talented and hard-working families from traditionally marginalized racial groups, The Urban League of Louisiana felt it…

For decades, Hispanic-owned businesses in South Louisiana – as well as businesses owned by other people of color – have operated and survived despite competing on an uneven economic playing field. Fully capable of providing goods, materials and services to…

It’s Monday April 4—the day after what was supposed to be the big day—and Lonnie Dutreix, the director of NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East, exudes a natural sense of excitement and energy as he talks about the…

Strategically situated to take full advantage of the region’s greatest natural resource and most influential waterway in North American maritime commerce—the Mississippi River—South Louisiana’s Industrial Sector has been the economic heartbeat of the area for generations.  From the toe of…

If the 54 winding miles of lower Mississippi River are the heartbeat of the Port of South Louisiana, then it could be argued the surrounding infrastructure – both near and far – represents the lifeblood of daily operations at one…

Sometimes, Paul Matthews explains, the same person can be in the same scenario at various points in life and view the situation completely differently. It’s simply a matter of perspective.    For instance, the newly named Chief Executive Officer of…

Louisiana State Constitutional Amendment 2, a measure approved in November, stands to make the New Orleans metropolitan area—and as a result, all of Louisiana—a more attractive destination for businesses to relocate or expand and for out-of-state workers to pursue new…

Recognizing the multi-faceted importance of domestic and international maritime commerce from an economic and national security perspective, politicians from both sides of the aisle have proposed, authored and passed legislation to directly and indirectly support Louisiana’s vital port system. In…

Flying in precise formation, more than a dozen historic jets raced across the River Parish skies this past April at the Classic Jet Aircraft Association’s (CJAA) first-ever “Cajun Jet Blast” hosted at the Port of South Louisiana’s Executive Regional Airport.…

From humble beginnings as a single storage-tank entity based in Avondale (a tank that remains active to this day), International-Matex Tank Terminals (IMTT) has blossomed into an industry force when it comes to storage and handling of bulk liquid projects.…

Despite being in office for less than a decade, U.S. Congressman Garret Graves – legislator for Louisiana’s Sixth District – hasn’t wasted any time pushing several long-standing projects over the finish line that benefit the area’s personal and economic interests.…

Thanks to its abundance of high-paying jobs, quality schools and old-time sense of community, demand for housing in the River Parishes has never been higher. “It’s a place for career-minded individuals or those with a family – a place with…

Considering many of us have been parched for good news over the past year, Tommy Scott’s assessment of the local job market is quite refreshing. “If someone would like to return to work right now in the River Parishes, there’s…

In good times and bad times, those who do business at the Port of South Louisiana have always stepped up to the plate, and the immediate action of several companies after the outbreak of COVID-19 only solidified that reputation further.…

While the world got put on “PAUSE,” Buddy Boe and the staff at River Parishes Tourist Commission took a strategic, proactive approach toward promoting the region during this time of crisis. The Port of South Louisiana is located along the…

In the world of International Trade, particularly as it relates to freight forwarders and custom brokers, a lot has changed in the…

In what is fast becoming a mark-your-calendar event for those in the River Parishes, hundreds of area youths and their families took part in…

After an extensive internal cultural audit, the River Parishes Tourist Commission’s new marketing effort touts the area as a destination, not just a day trip.