Gov. Jeff Landry told hundreds of southwest Louisiana residents on Friday to look into the economic growth in the state.
"I've been lucky enough to travel around this country, and I've seen the progress and the economic opportunity that has blessed so many other states while we have waited," Landry said. "I want you to know we don't wait anymore.
"Today, the world gets to see us as who we are, as the people who never quit and never quit trying, as the people who never say it can't be done, as the people who find a way where there is no way, as the people who always have a kind word at their table, as the people who get to share a culture of hard work and humility that is our greatest asset."
Landry was the keynote speaker at the Chamber SWLA's LegisGator Luncheon at L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles.
The governor said southwest Louisiana is seeing many new developments and improvements.
With the oil and gas industry continuing and changing, Landry said the region is following the growth with LNG and blue ammonia facilities becoming more prevalent in the area.
Landry also highlighted the new Interstate 10 Calcaiseu River Bridge that the area has needed for 30 years and is currently being built. He said every southwest Louisiana community member is a stakeholder in the bridge.
"There is not a deal like what y'all got anywhere in Louisiana. In fact, there's not a deal in the world like what y'all have," Landry said. "Once built, once paid for, this area, will receive 50 cents on every dollar that comes off that bridge that you get to put back into infrastructure in the entire Imperial Calcasieu area."
While he highlighted growth in southwest Louisiana, Landry said the rest of the state is seeing improvements as well.
"I want you to know it's always great to be here in this part of the state because this is a part of state that has understood the immense potential of Louisiana for decades now and is actually doing something about it," Landry said. "It's a part of the state that I've consistently said is the one bright shining spot in our state, but not anymore."
Landry said that while southwest Louisiana is still "a great bright shining spot," now there are others around the state.
From a steel mill coming to Ascension Parish and Meta's AI data center planned for Richland Parish, Landry said the state has been seeing continued growth in the past 36 months.
Specifically, he said state has gone from 31st in the nation in economic outlook to 18th. He also stated that Louisiana has a 450% increase in potential new business and has had a 127% increase in job opportunities.
"The question is, can we continue the momentum?" Landry said. "I will tell you that the answer to that is yes, but only if we're willing to embrace new opportunities."