COLAB

10/06/2026

Yesterday, COLAB COO Christian Bergeron visited Al Danos College of Business at Nicholls State University to speak with students at the Classroom to Career Student Conference. He talked about his career path, regional trends, and what it takes to build a career in South Louisiana.

One thing he left with the room: "People want our south Louisiana workforce around the world. We can solve a problem. We are resilient."

We could not agree more. Thank you to Nicholls for the invitation and to the students who showed up ready to learn.

10/02/2026

Last month, our COO Christian Bergeron spoke at the South Central Industrial Association about the Coastal Technical Assistance Center, or CTAC.

CTAC recently reached a major milestone. Customer contracts tied to coastal activity have now passed $1 billion.

CTAC connects Louisiana businesses with work in coastal restoration and protection. That means jobs and contracts for local contractors, engineers, manufacturers and service providers, all while supporting projects that protect the place we call home.

Thank you to SCIA for having us and for helping us share this story.

10/01/2026

Congratulations to Chett Chiasson on a great year as Chairman of the American Association of Port Authorities.

This week, Chett gave his opening address at the AAPA Annual Convention in New Orleans, the most attended convention in the association's history. It was a fitting close to his term leading ports from across the country.

Chett serves as Executive Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission and as Chair of the COLAB board. He knows better than anyone what Port Fourchon means to our region and to the nation. The port supports energy production, jobs and industries that reach far beyond the Bayou Region, and it's good to see that story told on a national stage.

Thank you, Chett, for representing Port Fourchon and the Bayou Region so well.

09/30/2026

The Navy just ordered 30 drone ships, and every one of them will be built in Louisiana.

Three shipbuilders will each build 10 medium unmanned surface vessels under the $1.2 billion deal, and two of those three are building right here in the . Galliano Marine Service is based in Houma, and Saronic Technologies is building in Franklin. HII is also working with Halimar Shipyard in Morgan City to build its vessels.

This is not new territory for us. Bayou Region shipyards have built vessels for our nation's defense for generations, and our workforce knows how to do it well. Now, that same skill and work ethic is helping build the next generation of the Navy's fleet.

We're proud to see our region leading the way. https://news.usni.org/2026/09/29/3-louisiana-shipyards-to-build-30-drone-ships-in-navy-musv-deal?fbclid=IwY2xjawUqBaFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMUJJdmE0NmFoVDlRbkVVYmlzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe26MxGxUePopyNluX083o5AdzQlhC49mX_BkIhDwKprBpYct9Dq5QO_BeaeY_aem_BhkKeBFRdXmuF_q6eQVmxg

Three Louisiana-based shipyards will build unmanned surface vessels for the U.S. Navy following recent at-sea testing, the service announced Tuesday. The three companies – Saronic, HII and Galliano Marine Service – will each build 10 medium unmanned surface vessels, or MUSVs, at about $40 millio...

09/24/2026

This week, COLAB joined Atchafalaya Intracoastal Coalition (AIC), Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association (LMOGA), and South Central Industrial Association in Washington, D.C., advocating for the Bayou Region. Our team met with the Louisiana congressional delegation, the Department of the Interior, and Chairman Westerman of the House Natural Resources Committee to raise three urgent priorities: a strong offshore energy industry, flood insurance reform, and workforce development.

These issues go hand in hand. Offshore energy drives our regional economy. That economy depends on a trained workforce, and that workforce needs affordable flood insurance to live in the communities they serve. Together, these priorities strengthen an industry that supplies energy the rest of the country and the world depends on.

Additionally, we visited with the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) team to discuss the future of energy in the Gulf of America.

Thanks to our delegation and their staff for meeting with us and for their continued work advocating for the Bayou Region.

09/24/2026

👀 Look familiar? The icebreakers, autonomous vessels, and shipbuilders featured in this video are happening right here in the .

This industry strengthens our national defense, keeps commerce moving, and continues to drive Louisiana’s economy forward.

09/23/2026

At the 2026 COLAB Bayou Business Summit, we introduced the inaugural Champions Awards, recognizing the people and businesses helping move our region forward.

Our first-ever Legislative Champion is Senator Robert Allain, who represents Senate District 21, including portions of all four Bayou Region parishes.

A Franklin native, farmer and businessman, Senator Allain brings firsthand experience in agriculture, marine operations and coastal Louisiana to his service in Baton Rouge. He has consistently supported COLAB and advocated for the businesses, industries and communities that drive the Bayou Region.

Senator Allain doesn’t just represent the Bayou Region in Baton Rouge. He carries it with him.

Congratulations to our inaugural Bayou Region Legislative Champion, Senator Robert Allain!

📸 View the full 2026 Bayou Business Summit photo gallery: https://www.bayouregion.com/2026-summit-gallery/

09/23/2026

ICYMI: McLeod Business Park in Lafourche Parish has been selected for a $1.4 million Louisiana FastSites investment, supporting infrastructure improvements that will transform 102 acres into development ready property for future business and industry.

This investment strengthens the Bayou Region’s portfolio of competitive sites and better positions our region to attract new projects, jobs, and economic opportunities.

Read the full release: https://www.bayouregion.com/mcleodfastsite/

09/22/2026

At the 2026 COLAB Bayou Business Summit, we introduced the inaugural Champions Awards, recognizing the people and businesses whose impact has helped shape the future of our region.

Our first-ever Legacy Champion is Hank Danos.

For more than six decades, Hank helped build danos from its Bayou Region roots into an energy services company employing more than 4,000 people, while keeping its headquarters and commitment to Louisiana right here at home.

His impact extends far beyond the company. Through decades of leadership and service, Hank has advocated for the industries, infrastructure and opportunities that keep the Bayou Region moving forward.

Hank Danos didn’t just build a company in the Bayou Region. He helped build the Bayou Region.

Congratulations to our inaugural Legacy Champion, Hank Danos!

📸 View the full 2026 Bayou Business Summit photo gallery: https://www.bayouregion.com/2026-summit-gallery/

09/21/2026

Grinding season is getting underway across the , marking an important time for one of the industries that helps power our regional economy.

Sugarcane agriculture supports local farmers, mills, transportation, businesses, and jobs throughout South Louisiana, making it an important part of the Bayou Region’s economic foundation.

As harvest activity increases over the coming months, we encourage everyone to use extra caution on our roadways. Be patient around cane trucks, give drivers plenty of space, and stay alert as trucks move between fields and mills.

Wishing our farmers, mill employees, truck drivers, and everyone involved in this year’s harvest a safe and successful grinding season.

RRS 2026 Grinding Season is here!

As another harvest season gets underway this week, we want to remind our community that you’ll be seeing more cane trucks on our local roads over the next few months. This season is an exciting time for our area, but it also means a little more traffic and a few extra reasons to slow down and stay alert.

A few friendly reminders as we share the road this harvest season:

• Give cane trucks plenty of space and avoid following too closely.
• Be patient. Our drivers are working hard to safely get each load from the field to the mill.
• Leave home a few minutes earlier and give yourself extra time to get where you’re going.
• Use extra caution when passing and only pass when you have plenty of visibility and space to do so safely.
• Watch for trucks entering and exiting fields, side roads, and the mill.
• Be mindful of mud, dirt, or cane debris that may occasionally make roadways slick or uneven.
• Slow down, stay alert, and avoid distracted driving.

Our farmers, truck drivers, mill employees, and community members all have families waiting for them at home. A little patience and extra caution can go a long way in helping everyone get there safely.

We’re excited to kick off another grinding season and look forward to a safe and successful harvest for our farmers, our mill, and the entire community we’re proud to call home.