Lafayette Chamber Chairman Flo Meadows and President Rob Guidry met with their counterparts Mike Heinen and George Swift, respectively, to discuss future opportunities to collaborate.

"By working together during the special legislative session last spring we were successful in keeping the two cities in the same congressional district,” noted Meadows. "However, the United States Department of Justice has yet to approve the plan. We are prepared to demonstrate solidarity again if the legislature has to reconvene.”

Meanwhile, with the two organizations facing similar issues there is value in speaking as one voice in the nation's capital.

"Funding for Interstate 49 through Lafayette would benefit the entire southwest Louisiana economy. Likewise, anything to help the Port of Lake Charles would benefit the broader Acadiana economy,” stated Guidry.

Lafayette and Lake Charles have large investments in the medical and energy sectors. Both are university communities. The two communities are situated on Interstate 10 and have direct ties to the Gulf of Mexico.