[ColaCajun]

SpaceX's massive project in Vermilion Parish could bring thousands of jobs and potentially transform Lafayette into Louisiana's largest population center.

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Gosh...UL please don't screw this up. 🫣

[Turbine]

.... potentially transform Lafayette into Louisiana's largest population center.

If so, Lafayette will require a massive 40 mile circumferential loop that taps into highway(s) 14, 13, 190 and 182.

Hub City.

[Cajun Power]

I guess it’s good to think big, but the metro area would have to more than double in size and see continued significant population loss in the New Orleans MSA for this to occur. The latter is certainly possible, but NOLA is positioning itself to capitalize on the space industry as well, and they have Michoud already. Frankly, I’m hoping this helps them out too.

The more improbable idea is a doubling of the size of the Lafayette MSA.

BTR would have to stay stagnant as well. Since I can’t understand why anyone would live there, I can see that.

I do think we’ll see significant population growth. I hope leadership plans ahead.

[cjr3888]

If so, Lafayette will require a massive 40 mile circumferential loop that taps into highway(s) 14, 13, 190 and 182.

Hub City.

Loop should be I-10 (Lake Charles to Lafayette), Future I-49 (Lafayette to New Iberia/14), Future interstate in place of 14 (New Iberia to Lake Charles). Could have 35 cut through the middle (Rayne to where it meets 82 to Pecan Island). Large loop could extend to Breaux Bridge & loop around Parks through Loreauville to 90 at Darnall Rd.

[cjr3888]

I guess it’s good to think big, but the metro area would have to more than double in size and see continued significant population loss in the New Orleans MSA for this to occur. The latter is certainly possible, but NOLA is positioning itself to capitalize on the space industry as well, and they have Michoud already. Frankly, I’m hoping this helps them out too.

The more improbable idea is a doubling of the size of the Lafayette MSA.

BTR would have to stay stagnant as well. Since I can’t understand why anyone would live there, I can see that.

I do think we’ll see significant population growth. I hope leadership plans ahead.

Even more important to finally finish 49

[Turbine]

Loop should be I-10 (Lake Charles to Lafayette), Future I-49 (Lafayette to New Iberia/14), Future interstate in place of 14 (New Iberia to Lake Charles). Could have 35 cut through the middle (Rayne to where it meets 82 to Pecan Island). Large loop could extend to Breaux Bridge & loop around Parks through Loreauville to 90 at Darnall Rd.

There are already Aerospace companies at the end of Darnell Rd (which becomes Weeks Island Rd.)

Take a right at the end of Weeks Island Rd and you will find ceramic coatings companies past Morton Salt that have aerospace experience.

[Headcase33]

New Orleans and Baton Rouge have had major declines in population over the last 10 years. Lafayette is still booming and this will only make us even bigger. Lafayette Metro is over 500,000 and will be no less than 600,000 by 2029 if not more. We will pass Baton Rouge by 2032 and New Orleans by 2045.

[Duckster]

Regarding the comments on potential size of a population boom, reviewing Lafayette Parish census history is instructive. Granted the largest percentage post war growth occurred from 1950 - 1980. Baby boomer years plus oil and gas boom over three decades led to averaging 33% population growth every ten years during that time. A similar sized aeronautics boom adds another 80,000+ population by 2040. Its more difficult to predict how Iberia, Vermilion, Acadia parishes will fare but a similar growth percentage adds another 60,000+ just outside of Lafayette Parish. SpaceX is a game changer. Is it a stretch to think adding 150,000 souls to the Acadiana region is possible over the next 14 years since its been done before? Maybe not. However doubling the Acadiana region population within the next 14 sounds like a stretch.

[HELMUTVII]

LA HWY 35 south at the I-10 exit at Rayne is almost a direct shot to Cow Island through Kaplan. I guarantee it's faster than going through Lafayette.. You can get to Maurice from Duson in less than 30 minutes if you take LA HWY 343 from Duson to LA HWY 92. Both are nicer drives than going through Lafayette.

[Turbine]

LA HWY 35 south at the I-10 exit at Rayne is almost a direct shot to Cow Island through Kaplan. I guarantee it's faster than going through Lafayette.. You can get to Maurice from Duson in less than 30 minutes if you take LA HWY 343 from Duson to LA HWY 92. Both are nicer drives than going through Lafayette.

As the crow flies for work.

There is always the pull of play after work.

This will be interesting.

[HELMUTVII]

Well it's Thursday and the so called big announcement between spaceX and the university that was supposed to happen this week hasn't happened. I guess it really was a rumor planted by a LSU A&M BR mole.

[cjr3888]

Well it's Thursday and the so called big announcement between spaceX and the university that was supposed to happen this week hasn't happened. I guess it really was a rumor planted by a LSU A&M BR mole.

Did you not see the video Governor Landry posted yesterday promoting UL Engineering & SpaceX?

[HELMUTVII]

Did you not see the video Governor Landry posted yesterday promoting UL Engineering & SpaceX?

No.

[facelessjonmoon]

https://x.com/lagovjefflandry/status...tYzapTj0kB1-ug

No.

.@ULLafayette and all our colleges are ready for @SpaceX! @elonmusk #Gea uxCajuns pic.twitter.com/BYqbOWNyBR

— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) September 2, 2026

[HELMUTVII]

https://x.com/lagovjefflandry/status...tYzapTj0kB1-ug

.@ULLafayette and all our colleges are ready for @SpaceX! @elonmusk #Gea uxCajuns pic.twitter.com/BYqbOWNyBR
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) September 2, 2026

That's nice but what did they announce? I was expecting a and announcement from SPACEX saying they were going to partner with the university to develop systems or software.