Major manufacturer in aerospace industry may impact Eunice

One regional economic development leader announced on Thursday that a major manufacturer in the aerospace industry could have an impact on the Eunice economy.
Rebecca Shirley, director of the Acadiana Economic Development, said at the most recent meeting of the Eunice Economic Development Committee that the Texas-based Bell Helicopter is slated to open the door for more jobs in Acadiana by 2015.
She said that a ripple effect of that project could reach into Eunice as Bell Helicopter plans to develop its new SLS helicopter at Lafayette Regional Airport.
“One of the things, that when a company like Bell Helicopter comes in, that I think helps a community like Eunice, is that they tend to use some of the other companies to supply what they need,” said Shirley. “So, in other words, this is an assembly facility where that not necessarily manufacturing all of the parts. So, they’re going to be getting things from other places. So, it’s going to kind of open up a new vendor list that may be able to be supplied by companies here.”
The plant will be the first modern-era aircraft assembly facility in Louisiana– which could see as many as 115 new direct jobs averaging more than $55,000 per year, according to a Louisiana Economic Development press release.
Shirley said that the aerospace project could result in another 136 new, permanent indirect jobs, for a total of more than 250 new jobs in Acadiana.
Don Reber, of the Eunice Economic Development Committee, said that he echoed Shirley’s projection for Eunice.
“It’s going to have some impact on us,” said Reber. “Anything like that is going to have an impact on us. Only time will tell if it’s going to have a huge impact on us in Eunice.”
According to a press release, Bell Helicopter– which is considered the biggest name in helicopters– selected Louisiana for the new facility after a highly competitive site-selection process in which several states were seriously considered.
Bell will invest $11.4 million in equipment and tooling.