B.R. tops job productivity list

Baton Rouge ranked first for job productivity growth among the top 100 largest metro areas in the U.S., according to a recent Brookings Institution report. The report says from 2001-05 the Capital Region’s annualized percent change in gross domestic product per job growth was 5.08%. This was more than twice the national average of 2.26%. San Jose, Calif., and Sarasota, Fla., followed Baton Rouge in the category. Adam Knapp, president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, says the report is another indication of efforts to maintain a robust and dynamic economy. The MetroPolicy report was created as part of Brookings’ The Blueprint for American Prosperity, an initiative designed to promote a national economic policy agenda based on research and analysis. Prosperity in a metro area was measured by growth in productivity, such as generating quality jobs and raising incomes, and sustainability, such as expansion of economic and educational opportunities and sensitivity to environmental and energy issues. The Capital Region also scored well for GDP per capita growth. It ranked among the top three metro areas nationwide, which also included Oxnard, Calif., and Palm Bay, Fla.

No trouble at B.R. port from N.O. river closing

Other than one outbound deep-draft vessel docked at its Burnside petroleum terminal waiting to shove off, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge isn't expecting any problems from the river closing at New Orleans as a result of a large diesel spill, port CEO Jay Hardman says. No grain shipments south are scheduled until August, while the port's molasses terminal is only sending loads north for the rest of the month. "At this particular window for the next seven or eight days, there's no real impact here," he says. Hardman says the port's petroleum terminal manager was unable to get a definitive answer from the Coast Guard about when the river at New Orleans might be reopened.—Steve Clark

Metro Council delays action on library board appointment

The Metro Council deferred filling a seat on the East Baton Rouge Parish Library Board during its meeting Wednesday evening. The board is now scheduled to take up the issue at its Aug. 13 meeting. The seat has been empty since the resignation of Stephen Moret, now Louisiana Economic Development secretary. Candidates for the spot are Kathryn Arrington, Elizabeth Bingham, Tanya Freeman, Tommy French, Marano Hinojosa, Eric Lewis, Eleanor Perret, John Radford, Elaine C. Rougeau and Keokah Sanders.

Redevelopment authority sets budget, outlines CEO search

The East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority has agreed to grant the new East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority $1 million a year for the next three years, starting in 2009, officials said today at EBRRA’s monthly meeting. Mayor Kip Holden has already promised the authority a $500,000 federal community development block grant to help it get started. The authority, established to help move blighted, abandoned or adjudicated properties into productive uses, currently has a five-member board but no staff; its board voted today to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Center for Planning Excellence whereby CPEX will serve as its staff for the next six months. On Aug. 27, the authority’s board will hold a daylong strategic planning session, and plans to begin the search for a CEO shortly afterwards. Board member William Jenkins said he expects the search to take three to five months.—David Jacobs

Revenues drop at Hollywood Casino

Gamblers spent $33.1 million at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge during the second quarter, a 2.7% drop in business from the year before. Penn National Gaming, the parent company of Hollywood, reported today that overall revenues at its 19 casinos was down less than 1% from 2007, when the gambling halls brought in $625 million. Through the first six months of the year, Hollywood Casino has reported $67.8 million in revenues, compared with $68.9 million for the first half of 2007.

Existing home sales fall 2.6% nationally

Sales of existing homes fell more sharply than expected in June as the housing industry continued to be bruised by the worst slump in more than two decades. The National Association of Realtors reported that sales dropped by 2.6% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.86 million units. That was more than double the decline that had been expected and left sales 15.5% below where they were a year ago. The downward slide in sales depressed prices, too. The median price for a home sold in June dropped to $215,100, down by 6.1% from a year ago. That was the fifth largest year-over-year price drop on record. Sales dropped in all regions of the country except the West, which posted a 1% sales increase. Sales fell by 6.6% in the Northeast, 3.4% in the Midwest and 3.1% in the South.

Poll: Few thought Metro Council would vote to put bond issue on ballot

Twenty-one percent of the people who responded to a Daily Report survey correctly guessed that the Metro Council would put the $989 million capital improvements bond issue on the ballot as a single item. Thirty-six percent said the Metro Council would split up Mayor Kip Holden's improvements package, while 31% said the council would delay action. Eight percent said they had no idea what would happen, while 4% said the Metro Council would vote down the project. More than 1,000 people participated in the survey. The Metro Council voted 8-1 Wednesday to put the issue on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Today's question: If the election were held today, how would you vote on the mayor's proposed $989 million capital improvements bond issue?

News roundup: Less driving is causing federal highway trust fund to dry up; appeals court upholds ruling on Walker mayor; section of I-10 from Baton Rouge to Lafayette closed

Gas prices are hurting Uncle Sam: Federal gasoline tax revenues are dwindling, as motorists buy more fuel-efficient cars and cut back on driving, according to the Los Angeles Times. The federal highway trust fund faces a $3.2 billion shortfall by 2009, which could lead states to slash road construction projects. Congress might cut highway spending by one-third and some leaders are looking at another way of supporting the fund. The federal gasoline tax of 18.4 cents is collected on every gallon sold, not every dollar spent, so tax revenue goes up only if consumption increases. Read the story here. Clears way for challenger to run unopposed: The 1st Circuit Court of Appeal has ruled that Walker Mayor Travis Clark cannot run for re-election because he was a few minutes late for qualifying on July 11. Clark's rival, Bobby Font, now can run unopposed in the October 4 election. The 1st Circuit's action this morning upheld a ruling by the 21st Judicial District Court. Find another way: The westbound section of Interstate 10 from Baton Rouge to Lafayette has been re-opened following a predawn crash Thursday, but the eastbound lanes remain closed. State Police say an 18-wheeler carrying hazardous material crashed near the Whiskey Bay Pilot Channel and the rig caught fire, according to KATC-TV.