Louisiana FastStart has been singled out as the best workforce training program in the nation for the second year in a row by Business Facilities magazine. The state topped all others, with Georgia and North Carolina following. The ranking takes into account training incentives, success in securing projects, coordination between economic development and education organizations, and other factors. Launched in 2008 as part of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s workforce development reform plan, Louisiana FastStart was created within Louisiana Economic Development to foster job creation through business expansion and recruitment. FastStart provides employment services at new or expanding business facilities. Services are offered at no cost to eligible Louisiana companies. Baton Rouge clients include Electronic Arts Inc., Stupp Corp. and The Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Louisiana also scored high in several other categories in the Business Facilities 2011 report: second in economic growth potential, seventh for best business climate, and 10th in cost of labor. See the report here.
