Economic update: parish retail sales spike and First Solar nears 1,000 employees, IEDA reports
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Summary
Mike Tarantino of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation reported a record $218.8 million in parish retail sales for September 2025 and said First Solar’s site employed just over 800 people and is moving toward a 1,000-employee target; natural gas prices and airport operations were also discussed.
Mike Tarantino, president and CEO of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation, provided the council with a quarterly economic update on Nov. 12 covering energy, retail sales and local projects.
Tarintino highlighted a retail sales record for September 2025 of $218,837,000 across Iberia Parish and noted rising natural gas prices tied to LNG activity. "Another record was broken in September 2025 at 218,837,000 and some change," he said. He also reported that First Solar’s workforce at the local facility exceeded 800 employees and is moving toward a target of about 1,000; Tarantino said a formal economic impact report would be released after IEDA board approval.
Tarintino also reviewed airport operations at Acadiana Regional Airport and summarized monthly rig counts and crude oil prices. He linked some improvements to LNG work at the Port of Iberia and noted upcoming ribbon cuttings for Cajun Industries.
Council members asked follow-up questions about the retail sales outlier and whether major one-time purchases had driven the September spike; Tarantino said outliers such as equipment or vehicle purchases can distort monthly totals.
What happens next: Tarantino said the IEDA will circulate an economic impact report on First Solar once the board approves distribution, and council members were advised to monitor retail trends during the holiday season.
