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BATON ROUGE – Louisiana manufacturers that combine business success with exceptional community service will be honored as recipients of the 44th annual Lantern Awards during a private reception at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center on Wednesday, Feb. 8. 

Among the award recipients was Cospolich, located in Destrehan. 

The company’s roots trace back to 1937, when Clarence Cospolich began a modest business building cooler doors for the marine industry in a firehouse in New Orleans. Today, the Cospolich engineering staff utilizes computer generated drawings and 3D modeling, while the production crew uses lasers to cut stainless steel for furniture that continues to serve the U.S. military. 

Louisiana Economic Development created the Lantern Awards in 1979 to recognize excellence in manufacturing and exemplary public service from businesses and employees to their local communities. 

“In 2022, Louisiana manufacturers and their employees contributed mightily to the resurgence of our state’s economy and the resilience of our communities,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “In the north and south, east and west, and central regions of Louisiana, these honored manufacturers have distinguished themselves by combining business acumen and community service. I’m proud to recognize them with Lantern Awards, one of LED’s highest honors, as they are a shining example for all businesses in our state.” 

Lantern Award recipients are selected by Louisiana’s Regional Planning and Development Districts, based on the overall contribution of the manufacturers to their communities, including investments in employment growth and facility expansions as well as public service activities with employee participation. Honorees must have been in operation at least three years prior to their nomination to demonstrate sustainability. 

The full list of 2022 Lantern Award winners are: 

• A c a d i a n a Region: D&T Crawfish, Abbeville 

• Capital Region: Swamp Dragon LLC, Baton Rouge 

• Central Region: Drax Biomass, Urania 

• N o r t h e a s t Region: WestRock, Hodge 

• South-Central: Cospolich, Destrehan 

• S o u t h e a s t Region: MECO, Mandeville 

• S o u t h w e s t Region: Ingevity, DeRidder 

More than 330 Louisiana manufacturing businesses have received Lantern Awards since the program’s inception. LED’s program partners include the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association and the Louisiana Association of Planning and Development Districts. 

Since 1992, award-winners have received lanterns handcrafted by Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights of New Orleans. Bevolo is the oldest and largest copper gas lantern manufacturer in the U.S., and the second-oldest in the world.