LDGI is proud to announce Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) has joined on a platinum member level.


About LEDA
Created by the state legislature, LEDA exists to facilitate economic growth in Lafayette Parish. We have a board of 12 commissioners, appointed by various governmental and educational entities that work together with the full-time staff to provide answers, information, and assistance to businesses. For a presentation outlining all of LEDA's services, check out the presentations section on LEDA's website.

LEDA's Mission
LEDA's mission is to provide assistance to local companies in their growth, market development and workforce development efforts; to recruit additional companies considering locating in this area; and to assist in the development of new companies in order to diversify the economy within Lafayette Parish.

Location
The LEDA Resource Center, conveniently located in the Research Park of UL Lafayette’s University Common, offers 
numerous amenities to your business. It is the perfect location to hold company trainings and seminars or to make a presentation to a special client.State-of-the-art equipment and a professional setting provide an excellent 
environment to conduct business. For more information on using the LEDA Resource Center for your next company event, contact Lena Styles at (337) 593-1400

LDGI is proud to announce Opportunity Machine has joined with a platinum member status.


About the Opportunity Machine
The opportunity machine (OM) is a single vehicle that brings together the individual elements and strengths of the community to accelerate the growth of technology start-ups. We create ecosystems that unite entrepreneurs with vital corporate resources within a culture of fun and success. It is the mission of the OM to accelerate wealth creation by immersing technology wildcatters into a fiber-powered community of innovators. 
About Opportunity Staff
Born in Plaquemines Parish, Bob has led five technology start-ups through both the crucial early phases of development and their expansion as successful enterprises in both Louisiana and Silicon Valley. From software engineering with Orpheus, to managing the development of a nationally awarded consumer electronic product as senior vice president of engineering and ground operations at Globalstar, his level of experience and dedication to getting things done, and done right, speaks for itself.  As the OM's Head Machinist, Bob applies that same skill and dedication towards making Lafayette the heart of a thriving technology ecosystem.  
James Luke Ashworth-Sides, Machinist at the opportunity machine, is a Louisiana native just returning after 5 years at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, PA, where he created and obtained CMU's first undergraduate degree in rhetoric. Luke's business experience ranges from handling all aspects of a successful tax promotion for the Bayou Vermillion District  to design direction and copy writing on a variety of projects including the Plaquemines Parish Hurricane Handbook. Luke remains involved with the community through his work at the OM, a technology business development program.  His training in computer science and rhetoric help him to address the perspectives of groups ranging from technology wildcatters to Certified Public Accountants.

Reach Bob Miller and Luke Sides at:
bob@opportunitymachine.org
luke@opportunitymachine.org