1012 Corridor

We already knew that one in three Louisianans now lives along the corridor. A new 20-year analysis of Census data indicates the 10/12 corridor continues to grow faster than the nation as a whole.

Louisiana demographer and political analyst Elliott Stonecipher discovered that populations in the 11 parishes along Interstate 10 and Interstate 12 from Lake Charles to Slidell have grown nearly 35% since 1980. That’s more than half a percent faster than the entire country.

The 10 interstate parishes around Lake Pont--
char-train grew by over 5% during that same period—even with post-Katrina losses in Orleans Parish. St. Tammany Parish led the 20-year growth at 106%, followed by Livingston, nearly 105%; Ascension, 103%; St. John, 47%; Tangipahoa, 45%; and St. Charles and Lafayette, 38%.

By comparison, the U.S. population grew a little more than 34%; Louisiana, by less than 5%.

Five parishes—Livingston, Ascension, Lafayette, Tangipahoa and St. Tammany—all had growth that exceeded state and national averages. Making the list again of the 100 fastest-growing counties in the U.S. were Livingston and Ascension parishes, also beating the Southern average.

Estimates indicate both Louisiana and the nation as a whole grew by .9% between July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008. Growth in the South was slightly better at 1.3%. By comparison, though, Livingston grew by 3.3%; Ascension, 2.7%; Lafayette, 1.1%; Tangipahoa, 1.3%; and St. Tammany, 1%. Although Orleans grew by 8.2% and St. Bernard by 12.8%, much of that is attributed to displaced residents returning home.

Demographer and political analyst Elliott Stonecipher calls the five corridor parishes “relative growth rockets.” “In comparison to anything else in the state except Bossier [up 1.4%],” he says, “it’s relatively ‘smoking.’”

If you receive the 10/12 Weekly e-mail (free sign-up at www.1012corridor.com), you have seen the recent headlines of news and developments in the corridor. Just look at a few of the recent items:

Lafayette first in nation to get Cox’s new broadband speed: The parish will be the first to get Ultimate Cox High Speed Internet Package. The service is no doubt Cox’s answer to Lafayette Utilities System’s all-fiber optic network, which is coming online.

North Oaks breaks ground in Satsuma: North Oaks Health System breaks ground on its $15 million outpatient medical complex in Satsuma next week. The three-story complex in Livingston Parish will include an urgent care center, a family medicine clinic, a specialty clinic and an outpatient diagnostic and treatment center. The facility is expected to bring 55 new jobs with an annual payroll of $4.4 million.

Stine opens new store in Walker: This is the Southwest Louisiana company’s 11th store and sixth along the corridor. Stine will open its biggest store yet this summer in Broussard, twice the size of the one in Walker.

Kleinpeter expands along the corridor: Kleinpeter Farms Dairy milk and ice cream is now available in Lake Charles. “We want to catch people in all the towns between Lafayette and Lake Charles,” Dairy President Jeff Kleinpeter says.

American Eagle launches nonstop service: American Eagle Airlines begins nonstop jet service between Lake Charles and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on June 11, offering flights twice daily, departing from Lake Charles.

Chimes expands into Covington: The Chimes, the longtime LSU tavern, plans to open a location just outside Covington on U.S. Highway 190 by fall 2010. Tim Hood, who co-owns the restaurant, says a 7.3-acre site has been purchased for the restaurant.

New theater will bring Branson-style shows: Developers are finishing work on an 800-seat theater off Interstate 12 in Satsuma that will bring Branson, Mo.-style shows to South Louisiana. Construction on Suma Hill Conference Center was slated for completion in April.

And there’s more in this issue … Add to the news above, a list of stories that includes young scientists doing cutting edge research; entrepreneur Tom Cox of Golfballs.com sharing his experience; firms going global; and GNO’s big plans for the energy industry. With all that is happening in the corridor, it is easy to see that the real growth is not in the past, but in the future. Stay tuned.