Situated in the central Acadiana region of southern Louisiana, the Lafayette, Louisiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) encompasses the entirety of both Lafayette and St. Martin parishes. With a population of nearly 493,400 residents, Lafayette is the third most-populated metropolitan area in the state. Located approximately 60 miles west of Baton Rouge and 135 miles west of New Orleans, the vibrant and thriving region is home to a well-educated workforce, an integrated transportation network, a diversified business climate, outstanding high-tech infrastructure, and a high quality of life. Lafayette is strategically located at the crossroads of Interstates 10 and 49, serving as an economic center of the Acadiana region of southern Louisiana, a Cajun and Creole cultural area known for its unique and desirable environment for work and play. In recent years, the region has experienced significant private capital investment. In May 2025, Green Fuels Operating announced it will invest $110 million to transform the historic Evangeline Processing Facility in Acadia Parish into a Net Zero Emissions Technology (NZET) refinery. Later in the year, MMR Group announced a $55 million investment for a new assembly facility in Lafayette Parish that will expand production of electrical components used in high-growth sectors such as data centers and semiconductors.