Jeff Davis Economic Development

06/01/2026

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to serve on the Advocacy Round Robin for the Louisiana FFA Nominating Committee.

It was a privilege to visit with the state officer candidates and discuss the important connection between agricultural education and workforce development. As our industry continues to evolve, preparing the next generation of leaders requires more than technical knowledge, it requires developing communication, leadership, and professional skills that translate directly into career success.

I enjoyed hearing the candidates’ perspectives and sharing how strong agricultural education programs help build a skilled workforce, strengthen rural communities, and create opportunities for future generations.

Thank you to the candidates for their thoughtful conversations and commitment to serving Louisiana agriculture. The future of our industry is bright with leaders like these stepping forward.

05/19/2026

Meet Our Board: Kendal Henry

We’re proud to highlight Kendal Henry, Chairman of the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Board!

Kendal has proudly called Jeff Davis Parish home for the past 20 years and is the owner of Henry's Travel Plaza in Lacassine, a successful family-owned business serving both I-10 travelers and the local community.

In addition to operating Henry’s, Kendal also helps manage her husband’s family cattle business, continuing a strong agricultural tradition rooted in Southwest Louisiana.

Before becoming a business owner, Kendal spent 15 years in casino sales, where she gained extensive experience in business development, customer relations, and strategic planning. Her leadership experience and entrepreneurial mindset bring valuable insight to the Economic Development Board.

As a mother of four, Kendal is passionate about strengthening Jeff Davis Parish through business growth, agriculture, and community leadership.

We are grateful for Kendal’s vision, leadership, and commitment to the continued success of Jeff Davis Parish!

05/18/2026

Jeff Davis Parish businesses don’t miss this opportunity.

Source Louisiana is the state’s official directory connecting Louisiana-based vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers with major projects across the state, including Amazon, Hyundai Steel, Meta, and Woodside Energy.

Make sure your business is registered and in the pipeline for future opportunities.

Source Louisiana is the state’s official directory of Louisiana-based vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers connecting them to major projects statewide including Amazon, Hyundai Steel, Meta, and Woodside Energy.

Make sure your business is registered and in the pipeline for opportunity: https://louisiana.supplierone.co

05/14/2026

The Jeff Davis Parish Chamber of Commerce and Jeff Davis Economic Development love seeing local businesses support local businesses 🤝

Today, we had the opportunity to visit with Port Aggregates, Inc. and Old River Truck Sales to check out these beautiful new trucks. Founded in 1979, Port Aggregates has grown into the largest producer of ready mix concrete in the state of Louisiana, earning a reputation for providing high-quality materials and service across the region.

These trucks — proudly built by Old River right here in Jennings — will soon travel across Louisiana and beyond, showcasing the manufacturing, industry, and economic growth happening in Jeff Davis Parish. This is what economic development is all about: strong local companies investing in one another and helping move our parish forward. 🚛

Interested in showcasing your business here in Jeff Davis Parish?
The Jeff Davis Parish Chamber of Commerce is here to help! From networking opportunities to business promotion and community connections, we love helping our local businesses grow and succeed. 🤝🚛

jeffdavischamber.com

05/13/2026

Yesterday, we were proud to represent Jeff Davis Parish at Southwest Louisiana Day at the Capitol in Baton Rouge!

It was a great day of collaboration, conversation, and advocacy for the future of Southwest Louisiana. We had the opportunity to hear from amazing speakers, including Mike Strain and Susan B. Bourgeois, who shared valuable insight on economic growth, agriculture, workforce development, and the future of our state.

Events like this remind us how important it is to build strong partnerships across Louisiana as we continue working to create opportunities and support growth in Jeff Davis Parish and throughout the region.

Thank you to everyone who helped make SWLA Day at the Capitol such a success!

05/12/2026

Jeff Davis Parish is developing a Safe Streets Plan to improve safety for people walking, biking, and driving, and we want to hear from you! Join us at our upcoming pop-up events to learn more about the plan and share your input. Learn more or provide feedback anytime at the project website: https://community-surveys.mysocialpinpoint.com/JDP-SS4A

Your input will help shape a safer future for transportation in Jeff Davis Parish!

05/12/2026

Meet Our Board: Will Hetzel

We’re proud to highlight Will Hetzel, Vice-Chair of the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission!

After more than a decade in the financial industry, Will returned to his hometown of Jennings in 2022 to join the team at Sabelhaus Wealth Partners. His passion for helping others, combined with his analytical approach to financial planning, allows him to build meaningful relationships while helping clients navigate important financial decisions.

A graduate of McNeese State University and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, Will has completed the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 7, and Series 63 exams.

Deeply committed to the community, Will has served on numerous boards and organizations dedicated to improving Jeff Davis Parish and supporting its continued growth and success.

Outside of work, Will enjoys spending time on his family’s farm, traveling with friends, and making memories with his wife and their two young children.

We are grateful for Will’s leadership, service, and dedication to the future of Jeff Davis Parish!

05/05/2026

This week is National Economic Development Week, and we’re proud to highlight what economic development means right here in Jeff Davis Parish.

Economic development is about creating opportunities that strengthen our communities, supporting local businesses, creating jobs, building partnerships, and investing in the future of our parish.

From workforce development to business growth and community collaboration, our goal is to help Jeff Davis Parish continue to grow while preserving the values and way of life that make our parish special.

A stronger Jeff Davis Parish starts with investing in our people, our businesses, and our future.

05/05/2026

Meet Our Board: Beth Daigle

We’re proud to highlight Beth Daigle, Secretary/Treasurer of the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Board!

A longtime resident of Lake Arthur, Beth brings over 35 years of experience in banking, serving as a Universal Banker at JD Bank. Her strong financial background and dedication to service play an important role in supporting the work of the board.

Beth is also actively involved in her community, serving as Treasurer of the Lake Arthur Woman’s Library Club and participating in local initiatives that strengthen the parish.

She is married to Arlen Daigle and is the proud mother of one daughter, Julia, and grandmother to three grandsons: Jackson, Joel, and James.

In her free time, Beth enjoys playing tennis and traveling with friends.

We are grateful for Beth’s leadership, experience, and commitment to Jeff Davis Parish!

04/29/2026

What a great night at the Jeff Davis Parish Inaugural Banquet!

We are so grateful to have been a part of such a special evening celebrating our community and the people who make it so strong.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Wade Rousse LSU, for delivering such an impactful message, we truly appreciate you taking the time to be with us. And thank you to our board member, Ronnie Petree, for serving as an incredible MC and keeping the night running seamlessly.

We also want to extend a sincere thank you to Jeanne Boudreaux with the Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerceor allowing us to be part of this wonderful event, and to Carter Prejean with Visit Jeff Davis for all of your help and support in making the evening a success.

Proud to be part of a community that continues to come together and move Jeff Davis Parish forward.