Lagniappe | SpaceX in Acadiana

Ragin Review
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:movie_camera: Lagniappe | SpaceX in Acadiana New Video Drop!

Description:
In a lagniappe episode, we visit with the Chief Engagement Officer of Louisiana Economic Development, Rachel Shields. We go behind the scenes of the recent announcement of the Space X project, discuss how it affects Lafayette and UL specifically, and share concerns local residents have regarding potential impacts to our coastline.

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I am very interested to see how this plays out.

The Louisiana citizen syndrome in me says it won’t happen, or anything near to the scale presented. We’ve had so many promises and ribbon cuttings only for shit not to happen.

However…I’m cautiously optimistic. If it does “take off” as laid out and promoted, in the words of the late, great Frank Barone, “HOLY CRAP”.

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Louisiana citizen in me says the infrastructure will not happen. It should have happened years ago to prepare for something like this and limit the problems we have now.

If they get started today, it will be 30 years before the roads are put in place at the pace their work on our roads.

I am very optimistic about this project but I know exactly where you are coming from. Example 1: Anyone remember what the business that built the new building next to PHI supposed to be? I dont remember if they ever really moved in.

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Bell Helicopter moved that production line to Amarillo. Didn’t meet hiring & productions goals so LED cancelled the contract supporting them. They still have 2 locations in Broussard.

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Then this after bell:

Kopter canceled its Lafayette facility plans and officially pulled out of the regional airport site in March 2022.

Timeline of the Project

  • 2019 Announcement: Swiss helicopter manufacturer Kopter Group announced it would lease the former Bell Helicopter facility near the Lafayette Regional Airport to build its SH09 single-engine helicopter, promising around 120 local jobs.
  • 2020 Acquisition: Italian aerospace company Leonardo acquired Kopter, initially indicating the Lafayette project would move forward under the new corporate umbrella.
  • 2022 Cancellation: Leonardo reversed course and bought out the remainder of the Lafayette lease, opting to shift production operations to its existing U.S. facilities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Company officials cited the COVID-19 pandemic and the decline of the Gulf oil and gas industry as reasons for abandoning the Louisiana site.
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