Jindal sworn in as Louisiana’s 55th governor

Bobby Jindal took the oath of office as Louisiana’s 55th governor at noon today, becoming the state’s first non-white governor since Reconstruction. Jindal, a 36-year-old Republican and Baton Rouge native, won the October 2007 primary outright against 11 opponents with 54% of the vote. He replaces Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat who chose not to run for a second term.

Here’s a roundup of Jindal’s big day:

—Festivities began at 10 a.m. with the House and Senate meeting in their respective chambers to swear in legislators and elect leaders. The day ends with the invitation-only inauguration ball at 7 p.m. at the River Center. Joel Chaisson, a Destrehan Democrat, was formally elected as Senate president. Jim Tucker, a Terrytown Republican, was elected as Speaker of the House, and Karen Carter Peterson, a New Orleans Democrat, was elected as speaker pro tempore.

—The inauguration is being televised live on Louisiana Public Broadcasting stations across the state, and live videos will be posted at inauguration.louisiana.gov and lpb.org.

—In an Inauguration Day editorial, The Daily Advertiser of Lafayette says that Jindal's government experience will serve Louisiana well. "Jindal brings to the governor's office broad experience, proven ability and a remarkable intellect. He has a record of success in every government position he has held. We expect that record to remain intact during his tenure as governor," the newspaper says. Read the editorial here.

—New Delhi Television Limited, a private Indian station, has an article about how Jindal's election is a giant step for Indian-Americans politically. There are more than 2.5 million Indian-Americans in the U.S., and many have broken through the glass ceiling and attained leadership roles in business and academics. The article notes how many Indian-Americans are proud of Jindal, but some are concerned about his politics and his backing of tough anti-immigration measures. Read the story here.

—CBS Sports announcer Tim Brando, a Shreveport native and former WAFB sports anchor, served master of ceremonies during the inauguration ceremony. Brando told USA Today why he thought he was selected for the honor. "I guess because I'm a rather verbose compassionate conservative—which Mr. Jindal is," Brando said.

—A Times-Picayune story this weekend notes how Jindal's inauguration comes at the perfect time. India is becoming a major economic power, with a growing number of companies looking to expand their operations and trade across the world. Outgoing Louisiana Economic Development secretary Mike Olivier says Jindal will "open up doors in a short period of time" for Indian businesses looking at establishing a presence in the U.S. Read the story here.

Two cents: When did O'Keefe become a target?

Sean O'Keefe could soon be on his way out as chancellor of LSU's main campus. Why and how O'Keefe became a target for John Lombardi, LSU's bombastic new system president, remains a mystery. What is known is that O'Keefe is in trouble, and Lombardi is quickly proving his reputation as a smart man who has no trouble lobbing verbal bombs. Whether Lombardi started this mess or simply inherited it from the LSU Board doesn't matter, he's the man in charge and must take responsibility for what happens, writes Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister, who lobs a verbal grenade of his own: "Maybe it's Lombardi who should be pushed out." Read the column here. Send comments to editors@businessreport.com.

Get ready to scream for Kleinpeter’s ice cream

Kleinpeter Farms Dairy’s venture into the freezer is almost ready. President Jeff Kleinpeter says half-gallon containers of ice cream should appear in stores Jan. 28 or 29. There’s chocolate and vanilla to start. Pralines and cream, strawberry, butter pecan and no-sugar-added versions will roll out within the month of February. “I wish we could do more, but we have so many things to figure out like getting it into stores, displaying it and trying to keep up with the mad rush it’s going to be,” he says. Kleinpeter says they’ll be stocked in all the independent grocers in and around Baton Rouge as well as Winn-Dixie. “We’re getting ready to get into the Targets and Super Wal-Marts. Everybody,” he says. --Marissa Frayer

Shaw receives contract extension

The Shaw Group's Environmental & Infrastructure division has received a two-year contract extension from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its work to clean up a uranium processing site near Buffalo, N.Y. Shaw will continue to work at the Linde site in Tonawanda, N.Y., where it has been since 1999. The company has completed work at five similar facilities and has ongoing contracts at two more. Details of the contract were not released.

Provident changes name, moves into new offices

Provident Group, a Baton Rouge-based non-profit housing development agency, has changed its name and moved its headquarters. The Provident Resources Group now has offices on Bankers Avenue. Company officials say the move gives them 16,000 square feet of space, compared with the 3,200-square-foot offices they previously occupied on Quail Run Drive. Provident CEO Steve Hicks said the new name reflects the company's mission to provide financial assistance for affordable housing development projects as well as developing and managing senior living facilities. Provident has recently taken on several projects. Last week, it was announced the company would be reviewing a downtown redevelopment plan for the city of Warren, Pa. The additional projects have led Provident to look at hiring more workers, making more space necessary.

LSU’s Ausberry to participate in Nike tour of Far East

LSU Senior Athletics Director Verge Ausberry leaves Thursday for Nike’s annual factory tour in Vietnam, Hong Kong and China. The business-oriented tour, the fifth in six years, visits Nike’s subcontracted factories manufacturing athletic footwear, apparel and equipment. Administrators on this year’s tour are scheduled to meet Nike’s country managers and compliance team, which work with and monitor the factories, as well as with U.S. State Department officials and scholars from Harvard’s Fulbright Program to provide some context to the role companies such as Nike are playing in the Far East. “This is a great opportunity to see how American companies function in that part of the world,” Ausberry says. “It’s also exciting to see the business practices of a company that LSU does business with in that part of the world. Nike would like to show leading athletic administrators how they have become the leaders in compliance of labor practices and how corporate America has grown and functions in those countries.” The tour ends Jan. 27.

Heart-healthy legislation

The American Heart Association has had a strong legislative agenda for Louisiana in recent years and 2008 shouldn’t be any different. It’s coming off a huge score with the state Legislature, having banned smoking from most restaurants last year. AHA is interested in increasing tobacco prevention dollars in Louisiana this year and is planning various outreach programs for lawmakers, but it’s finding itself in more of a watchdog role these days. “We plan to defend any attempts to weaken Act 815,” which houses the smoking ban, says Terri R. Broussard, AHA's regional advocacy director. Louisiana’s Smoke-Free Air Act has been on the books for roughly one year and small pockets of businesses around the state are already complaining about decreases in sales. AHA is also keeping an eye on the state’s plan to sell off the remaining portion of its 1998 tobacco settlement for potentially billions of upfront dollars. “We also will oppose any attempts to securitize the settlement dollars,” Broussard says. The settlement sale would financially benefit education, health care and coastal restoration efforts, as outlined by the state Constitution. But AHA argues the settlement, which is related to health care issues and smoking, should benefit health programs. Treasurer John Kennedy is opposed as well, citing concerns that Louisiana would end up in a financial mess by acting too quickly, rather than patiently waiting for ideal market conditions. --Jeremy Alford

News roundup: Louisiana fourth in 'state of the year' ranking; Chevy, Mazda win top vehicle honors; Gaines Award winner named

We're No. 4! Louisiana has finished fourth in Business Facilities magazine's first State of the Year awards, which go to the places that did the best job of economic development. Louisiana had $5.75 billion in investments during 2007, which created nearly 2,000 jobs. Texas took the honor as state of the year, with $15.4 billion in investments creating more than 9,300 jobs. Alabama was second, followed by Michigan. Best in show: The Chevrolet Malibu was named North American Car of the Year and the Mazda CX-9 won the honor as North American Truck of the Year. The awards, announced Sunday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, are handed down by a group of automotive journalists to new vehicles. The awards are based on a variety of factors, including design, driver satisfaction and value. Outstanding writer will be recognized: Olympia Vernon has received the first Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. The award, presented by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, honors outstanding writers. An awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 24 in the Manship Theater. For tickets, contact hfisher@braf.org.