News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Rene Abadie Date: 1/28/05   GOVERNOR FEATURED SPEAKER AT RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE SCHEDULED AT SOUTHEASTERN      HAMMOND --  Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco will be the featured speaker at the second annual Rural Economic Development Conference to be held at Southeastern Louisiana University Feb. 1-3.      The governor is scheduled to speak at 9:50 a.m. on Thursday, the final day of the conference. The featured speaker on Wednesday will be Louisiana Secretary of Economic Development Mike Olivier, who will address the group at 8: 15 a.m. The conference will be held at the University Center.      Sponsored by the Governor’s Office of Rural Development and the Police Jury Association of Louisiana, the conference will focus on “Technology: the Back Road to Rural Louisiana.” Approximately 600 participants are expected to attend from throughout the state. Last year’s conference was held at Northwestern Louisiana University in Natchitoches.      The conference will necessitate the designation of certain areas on Southeastern’s north campus that are currently reserved for student parking for individuals attending the event.      University Police Director Paul Marek said the parking lot located behind the Alumni Center, the Section 7 lot at the University Center, and the parking area located north of the University Avenue underpass will not be available for students Feb. 1-3.       On Feb. 3, the conference ends at noon, freeing the parking area north of the underpass and Section 7 lot. However, the parking area behind the alumni center will remain closed for parade assembly for the Krewe of Omega, which rolls that evening.      Marek recommended that students park in the nearby lot north of Textbook Rental and consider carpooling during the event. Students who live in university residences will be expected to keep their vehicles in their assigned lots. In addition, Marek said officers will be on site to direct students to available parking on campus.