We have always longed to be at the top of some of those “good lists.” Well, in addition to the New Orleans Saints making it to No. 1 in the NFL, our state and our city have moved to the top in economic development, and we are envied around the country. Recently, Louisiana Economic Development was ranked as the second-best performing state economic development agency in America by Site Selection magazine. This was the agency’s first time in the Top 10. LED finished ahead of Texas at No. 3, Tennessee at No. 4 and Pennsylvania at No. 5.
In these trying economic times, it’s a true blessing to be performing so strongly—and fortunate for all of the businesses and working people in Louisiana. [If you think the state budget cuts are tough now, imagine what they would be if we weren’t ranked No. 2.] Kudos go to Gov. Bobby Jindal, Secretary of Economic Development Stephen Moret and the LED team.
Jindal said, “Since day one we have made economic development our top priority.” The results speak for themselves.
Since January 2008, LED has secured business development projects that create more than 35,000 new direct and indirect jobs and more than $4.6 billion in new capital investment. Last year Southern Business & Development magazine named Louisiana Co-State of the Year [along with Tennessee] for having more significant business development wins per capita than any other Southern state.
“Our goal from the start has been to transform LED into one of the top three state economic development agencies in the U.S.,” said Moret. “We are especially grateful and fortunate that Gov. Jindal and the Legislature have provided us the new tools necessary to secure this terrific outcome, including our Business Expansion and Retention Group, the Louisiana FastStart™ program, and the State Economic Competitiveness Group, as well as continued support for the Rapid Response Fund and Mega-Project Development Fund.”
Back in April 2008, Michelle Millhollon wrote a piece for The Advocate with the headline, “Lawmakers: Is Moret worth price?” Everyone was looking at the salary instead of the talents and the character of the man Jindal hired to take charge of LED. Moret said, “This is not a job to me, it’s a personal mission.” It shows. Rep. John Schroder said Moret’s pay was high compared to Alabama and North Carolina. Fair enough, but I don’t see those states ranked in the Top 5 today, Mr. Schroder.
I am just wondering now if Advocate executive editor Carl Redman or Capitol Bureau editor Mark Ballard will allow Michelle Millhollon to write a follow-up article about these recent national rankings—or is a positive, fact-based article on the Jindal administration taboo?
Capital Region scores, too
In addition to the great news about a top ranking for the state, the greater Baton Rouge area has been ranked second by Southern Business & Development magazine among the top 10 mid-markets of the decade, based on the amount of new and expanded project wins over the last 10 years. Some of the notable projects the magazine mentions include Albemarle, Electronic Arts, SNF and The Shaw Group.
In addition, Baton Rouge was ranked third-best metro area in economic development in 2009 by Site Selection.
Adam Knapp, president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, says he attributes the area’s success to the chamber’s “Campaign for a Greater Baton Rouge.” Hats off to Knapp, the chamber board, its staff and its members—as well as the other chambers in our region who all work together. And we also have a strong and business-minded mayor-president, Kip Holden, who thinks big and takes risks. The combination in the Capital City is working. Let’s keep the momentum!
College systems protect turf
The bill to create a single board of higher education is still stuck in committee after an 8-8 tie last week. That was a result of some heavy lobbying by the very folks it would affect, the higher education boards. The Board of Regents was there, the Southern board was represented, President John Lombardi of the LSU System was there and I am sure the University of Louisiana folks were around somewhere. But that just proves my case for a single board. Ironically, this may be one of the few times they are all on the same side; usually they are down at the Capitol and it’s “every man for himself.”
When they are lobbying, they are also often competing against one another. I have seen it. Think about it—if there is a single board and one system, there will only be one system president and one chairman [which means only one BIG salary and one BIG shot]. Now there’s a streamlining and money-saving idea. Plus, the legislators won’t get caught in the crossfire of the college systems—because there will only be one. Why can’t they get that? I guess parochialism still rules at the Capitol.
Ironically, the vote could have been 9-7 in favor, but one Republican, Rep. John Schroder, joined Democrats against Republican House Speaker Jim Tucker’s bill. Schroder was recently removed from the House Appropriations Committee and moved to the Education Committee by Tucker—after Schroder voted against Tucker’s choice for speaker pro tempore. Schroder claimed his recent reassignment did not influence his vote. [Yeah, and the moon is made of cheese.] It’s sad that our state’s future would be the victim of petty politics. Schroder makes a case for Tucker to move him again—out to the sidewalk.
Sally Clausen, head of the Board of Regents, claimed this is not the time to be “distracted by governance.” Then when? She also claimed progress is being made on graduation rates, but the fact is our state still sits at second-to-last in the Southern region.
Rep. Hollis Downs gets it: “We can ill afford to leave this year with the status quo, because status quo has gotten us mediocrity with a few exceptions.”
Call for school board candidates
Reading about the mess at the East Baton Rouge School System and the micromanagement by board members, as well as the handling of contracts and personnel [see story page 24 in this issue] is enough to make one’s stomach turn. Last week people kept telling me the time is right for “a good ol’ house cleaning.” Sweep them out. The election is this fall and candidates need to begin gearing up. This is serious, and we need folks who will put aside personal politics and put children first. Where are the candidates that would be willing to commit to one four-year term without any concern for re-election? Just do the job right and advance education and our community—then pass the baton.
Chandler Loupe is right
I know Councilman Chandler Loupe took a lot of heat for his idea to explore more privatization in our city-parish government, but he is right on the mark. As I have said before, competition, motivation, efficiency, innovation and incentive are hallmarks of private enterprise, and they produce a better product at a better price almost all the time. [Sure, there are exceptions, but they’re rare.] In Baton Rouge, all you have to say is “garbage pick-up” or “River Center.” Both used to be operated by the city-parish and the service stunk. It is night and day compared to now, and I would never go back to the old days—would you? I hope the mayor and council will be open-minded and explore options. Remember, it’s about what is best for taxpayers and the “greater good,” not about who shows up at meetings and yells the loudest.
