COLAB

10/30/2026

We’re out at the Fourchon Energy Association golf tournament today with donuts in hand! Our CEO Christy Zeringue and COO Christian Bergeron are making the rounds and saying hello to golfers.

Thank you to the Fourchon Energy Association for hosting and for bringing our community together for a great cause.

10/29/2026

Congratulations to Cindy Cutrera on her retirement after more than 18 years with the Port of Morgan City, as recognized by the port's Board of Commissioners.

Cindy's persistence with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helped secure funding to dredge a channel 20 feet deep and 400 feet wide through Bayous Boeuf, Black and Chene to the Atchafalaya River and Gulf of America. That work strengthens port infrastructure and keeps commerce moving through the , supporting jobs and investment across our four strategic ports and the industries that depend on them.

Her service also reached LEAD, the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce and Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, where she served as president.

Thank you, Cindy, for championing the Bayou Region's economic future.

Port of Morgan City Honors Retiring Economic Development Manager Cindy Cutrera

MORGAN CITY, La. — The Board of Commissioners of the Morgan City Harbor and Terminal District (Port of Morgan City) formally adopted a resolution Monday commending Economic Development Manager Cindy Cutrera, who has announced her retirement effective October 30, 2026.
Prior to joining the Port of Morgan City in August 2008, Cutrera served as Executive Director of the St. Mary Industrial Group from 2006 to 2008, following a 22-year career in banking.

In her final report to the board Monday, Cutrera reflected on her more than 18 years of service to the port.

“For a little over 18 years, I’ve been helping to tell our story to a variety of audiences—from Morgan City to D.C. and cities across the U.S.—stressing the significance of the Atchafalaya River.

“After many years of hardships, partnerships, and coordination, we have a channel being dredged to its authorized width and depth; a new dredging concept that’s proven to be a more efficient way to manage fluff in the bar channel; and an industry-building project that supports the economic safety and security of the nation.”

Port of Morgan City Executive Director Raymond “Mac” Wade credited Cutrera for her dedication and persistence in working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to secure funding for dredging a channel 20 feet deep and 400 feet wide through Bayous Boeuf, Black and Chene to the Atchafalaya River and Gulf of America.

“We persevered through this thing. When you see something moving through the Port of Morgan City, it's worth millions, many millions of dollars,” Wade said.

“And it took a long time, but Cindy was right there every step of the way. We accomplished that. We changed the dynamics, and that's why the Corps gives us lots of funding. Cindy would come in dejected, sit in my office. I'd come in dejected. This is just terrible. But we never gave up. We persevered through it, and that's why the port's here today.”

Throughout her career, Cutrera has served on numerous community, regional, state and national committees and boards. Her involvement includes the Louisiana Economic Alliance for Development, (LEAD), formerly LIDEA, since 2010, the South Louisiana Community College Young Memorial Campus Advisory Board, Board of Directors of the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Directors of Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals (IRPT) from 2013 to 2023, including seven years on the Executive Committee and President from 2018 – 2021.

IRPT Executive Director Aimee Andres said, “Cindy led the Industry’s Association through the historic Covid and whereas many associations lost their footing during that time, Cindy’s leadership led to extraordinary growth instead. Many of the online resources we offered were because of her leadership. Cindy has made a huge impact on the river transportation community for many generations to come.”

In 2011, Cutrera completed a three-year course of instruction in community development at the University of Central Arkansas. In 2012, she completed all academic requirements to earn the Certified Louisiana Economic Developer designation and has continued to meet all recertification requirements. In April 2021, Cutrera completed the course requirements for the Inland Maritime Port Executive Designation through the International Association of Maritime & Port Executives.

Cutrera and her husband, Chip, have three grown daughters, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In retirement, she looks forward to spending more time with her family.

10/26/2026

Hurricane recovery support is available for seafood businesses through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

The Hurricane Grant Program provides direct assistance payments for losses from Hurricanes Laura and Ida. It is open to commercial fishermen, vessel owners, fresh product dealers, docks, seafood processors and charter captains. Seafood is a core part of the Bayou Region economy, and this support helps keep these businesses working and these jobs in our communities.

📅 Applications open October 19, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. CT
Portal open until January 31, 2027

If you are eligible, or know someone who is, review the program and apply through LDWF:
🔗 https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/ldwf-2020-2021-hurricane-direct-assistance-program

10/23/2026

Ports keep the connected to the industries and markets that drive our economy.

Last week, the COLAB team toured the Port of Morgan City, including a boat tour along the Bayou Boeuf locks. Seeing the work and progress there firsthand reinforced how much our ports and waterways support jobs, investment and business growth across the Bayou Region.

Thank you to Port Deputy Director Simon Gottung, Brady Borel and the Port of Morgan City for hosting us and for the work you do for the region.

10/21/2026

Coastal restoration is economic infrastructure for the .

Chevron is partnering with Ducks Unlimited on three marsh terracing projects in Lafourche Parish near Golden Meadow and Port Fourchon. The work is designed to help protect Port Fourchon, the South Lafourche Levee System and LA 1, assets that support energy, maritime and logistics jobs across the Bayou Region.

Public and private partners, including Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and Lafourche Parish Government, are backing this effort. COLAB supports continued investment in coastal protection that keeps our ports, roads and workforce competitive.

🔗 https://www.ducks.org/newsroom/chevron-commits-500000-for-lafourche-parish--wetland-restoration-efforts

10/19/2026

Coastal protection investment is creating contracting opportunities for businesses across the .

The Coastal Connect: Business Matchmaking & Networking Expo, hosted by COLAB's Coastal Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) with CPRA, Louisiana APEX Accelerator, Louisiana Economic Development and the Coastal Center, brings prime contractors and subcontractors in the coastal and water management sector together. Open networking and structured matchmaking meetings help local firms build the partnerships that win work and grow the Bayou Region economy.

📅 Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Nicholls Coastal Center, 426 NSU Ardoyne Drive, Thibodaux, LA 70301

Register here:
🔗 https://lnkd.in/eGNhKvRk

🌊🤝 Mark your calendars and join us for the Coastal Connect: Business Matchmaking & Networking Expo!

Hosted by the Coastal Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) in collaboration with CPRA, Louisiana APEX Accelerator, Louisiana Economic Development, COLAB, and the Coastal Center, this networking event connects prime contractors and subcontractors working in the coastal and water management sector.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in:
🤝 Open Networking - Connect with a variety of industry partners and vendors.
💼 Business Matchmaking - Engage in structured meetings with prime contractors looking for subcontracting partners.

📝 Registration: https://mbmgo.com/event/coastalconnect2026

10/15/2026

Congratulations to our partners at Nicholls State University on strong Niche 2027 rankings.

Nicholls ranks #3 for Best College Campus, #2 for Best College Dorms, #2 for Best College Food and #3 for Safest College Campus in Louisiana.

Quality higher education helps the attract students, build talent and keep skilled workers close to regional employers. As a workforce partner, COLAB sees the value of strong institutions like Nicholls in growing the Bayou Region economy.

10/13/2026

Recently, COLAB President and CEO Christy Zeringue joined ecosystem builders from across Louisiana at the StateChain Summit to discuss what it actually takes to move ideas into real economic activity. The conversation covered how emerging technologies grow into partnerships and investment and ultimately drive economic growth.

The Bayou Region has a role to play in Louisiana’s innovation story. Thank you to the StateChain Summit for organizing and for making sure we were part of the conversation.

10/12/2026

Chevron has been part of the Bayou Region for nearly 100 years, and their commitment to this community runs deep. Since 2023 alone, Chevron's business activities have contributed close to $1 billion to the Bayou Region economy and more than $5 million to local community organizations supporting education, economic development, food security and youth development.

That kind of investment does not just support an industry. It supports families, careers, and the next generation of Bayou Region leaders.

COLAB is proud to call Chevron a partner.

Watch their story here:

Hear as local leaders talk about the benefits of Chevron’s economic...

10/07/2026

The U.S. Department of the Interior plays an important role in the future of offshore oil and gas development in the Gulf of America, and ensuring the Bayou Region has a voice in those discussions is a priority for COLAB.

During COLAB’s recent Washington, D.C. fly-in with Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) and other Bayou Region organizations, our delegation met with Department of the Interior officials to advocate for policies that strengthen the Gulf of America’s competitiveness and provide the certainty needed for long-term energy investment. During those discussions, DOI emphasized the importance of hearing directly from Bayou Region leaders about the issues affecting our communities and the offshore energy industry.

This week, that dialogue continued in Louisiana as Interior Secretary Doug Burgum met with industry and Bayou Region leaders to hear firsthand about the Gulf of America’s importance to our national security, energy security and regional economy.

The Bayou Region was well represented by COLAB Board Chairman and Port Fourchon Executive Director Chett Chiasson, Lafourche Parish President Mitch Orgeron, State Senator Michael "Big Mike" Fési, and State Representative Joseph A. Orgeron.

Thank you to LMOGA for organizing the meeting and for continuing to be a strong partner with COLAB in advancing the interests of Louisiana’s energy industry and the communities that support it.

This is what COLAB does: bringing people and organizations together to advocate for the industries and opportunities that matter most to the Bayou Region.