Apart from its usual duties maintaining one of Iberia Parish’s economic engines, the Port of Iberia made a donation that commissioners hope will build the future workforce of the parish. 

Port members donated a $100,000 check to South Louisiana Community College that will be used as a scholarship fund for Iberia Parish residents seeking to earn the credentials to get to work at the port or other upcoming industries like First Solar. 

The scholarship is aimed toward students pursuing high-demand fields relevant to port careers like engineering technology, finance, cybersecurity, welding and logistics. Thomas Falgout with Solacc said the community college plans to seek matching funds from the Louisiana Board of Regents with the funding and could begin distributing awards as soon as spring of 2026. 

Vice-president of Solacc Michael Flash, who operates a business at the port and is the son of former port director Gene Flash, said the award honors the legacy of his father as well as all former presidents. 

“They understood the success of the port is not just due to the location but the work ethic of its people,” Flash said. 

The scholarship comes as more work is expected to be happening in the coming years at the Port of Iberia. The Acadiana Gulf of Mexico Access Channel, a project years in the making that will provide access from the Intracoastal Waterway to the Gulf of Mexico, is nearing completion with current Port Director Craig Romero saying the last dredging contract being recently approved by the port commission. 

International companies like Global Riser have also invested in the Port of Iberia, and Board President Pat Broussard said those new opportunities require a local workforce who can meet the demand. 

“We decided we had to build a good backlog of people from this parish to gear up and get ready for these guys,” Broussard said. “This is perpetual and will help Iberia Parish residents get a scholarship and a foot in the door.” 

Solacc Chancellor Vincent June, PH.D., said the port’s commitment to education in Iberia Parish will prove a huge boon for Solacc. 

“It takes a village and enormous support to find the relevant resources to ensure the people here have the necessary funding in order to participate in educational programming,” June said.