The Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation will host the Grand Opening of its new office space in the hub of Upper Lafayette, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.  There will be gumbo served and live music from the Blue Monday Mission Band of all-star Louisiana musicians.

The lush, vintage Acadian-style “pétit-village,” replete with ponds and boardwalk, is nestled in the heart of Upper Lafayette and will best position ULEDF to continue its service in this beloved community. The space, which previously housed the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission and will continue to boast its Visitors Center, will now be the home of ULEDF, Love of People and potentially an additional non-profit organization.  Love of People houses multiple service organizations such as Blue Monday Mission and the Musician’s Etude.    

“We are excited to partner with Upper Lafayette and Love of People for utilization of office space at the Gateway,” said LCVC President and CEO, Ben Berthelot.  “We still have a very strong presence at the Gateway with our Visitors Center staff and volunteers, but with our administrative offices opening [in] Downtown [Lafayette], some space was freed up. 

“Upper Lafayette and Love of People were the perfect partners to utilize the space,” Berthelot continued, “and there will be great synergy with their missions and ours. ULEDF has been doing great work for many years, and the work that Love of People is doing to provide services to musicians — who are some of our greatest ambassadors —  is outstanding.