When André Bonton reflects on his career in the energy sector, he doesn’t begin with billion-dollar facilities. He begins with a modest $6,000 job. That first project in Lake Charles launched a career spanning more than three decades in the energy sector, including leadership roles with Shell and Sasol and […]

Slated for completion in August 2027, the new facility will host national tournaments, serve as a community hub and provide resiliency during emergencies.  Exciting progress is underway on Lake Charles’ future indoor sports complex. In recent weeks, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the 1 Lakeshore Drive […]

Southwest Louisiana’s economy has long been fueled by innovation, resilience and a skilled industrial workforce. In 2025, the CITGO Lake Charles Refinery delivered a year that exemplified all three—achieving recordsetting performance levels that underscore the facility’s role as a cornerstone of the region’s economic strength.  Throughout the year, the refinery […]

While many destinations faced slowing growth or declines in 2025, Southwest Louisiana moved in the opposite direction, outperforming national occupancy statistics.  A 9.5% year-over-year increase in occupancy allowed Louisiana’s Playground to demonstrate continued strength, resilience and diversity of the local visitor economy. This performance was the result of an intentional […]

At Chennault International Airport, standing still has never been an option.  In an era when aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations are essential and competitive, Chennault has an aggressive, nonstop strategy to transform itself into a national go-to center for MRO excellence. The airport’s leadership has made it clear: […]

The Port of Lake Charles this year is celebrating 100 years of service as a linchpin of local, national and global trade.  Founded in 1926, the port has grown from a regional river port to one of the top-10 deepwater port districts in the United States, handling tens of millions of tons of […]

The I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Replacement Project continues to proceed toward the official start of construction scheduled for spring 2026.  There have been various activities taking place to prepare for the commencement of construction such as receiving the permit approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. […]

The $107.7 million Nelson Road Extension and Bridge over Contraband Bayou project is progressing, with the goal of bridging the gap between two corners of the city and providing a more direct and convenient gateway to the downtown area.  Construction of this project currently stretches over one mile, and the […]

For the second consecutive semester, SOWELA has reached an all-time enrollment high.  Spring 2026 enrollment increased 7.68% year over year, driven by significant growth in high-demand workforce programs. The college’s Aviation Maintenance program experienced the largest increase in registrations at 55.6%, followed by Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (32.4%) and Industrial […]