Stephanie Riegel’s recent column, “What’s in an economic ranking?” is a thought-provoking article on multiple fronts, writes Quentin L. Messer Jr., in a recent Business Report guest column.
“First, the column underscores the very real economic growth that is occurring in Louisiana, particularly south Louisiana,” writes Messer, president, and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance. “As a New Orleans economic development professional, I can attest to the very real progress that has occurred over the past 18 months.”
Yes, there’s the much-publicized Shintech news, but the equally celebrated DXC Technology announcement (2,000-plus jobs, $1.22 million payroll) validates the continued emergence of New Orleans and all of south Louisiana as an economic development winner and a regional mecca for the software and digital industries, Messer writes.
Second, he says, by rightly highlighting the success of neighboring states in important categories within the Business Facilities rankings—the economic development equivalent to the college football coaches’ poll—Riegel echoes a message shared by Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson as well as regional colleagues like GNO Inc.’s Michael Hecht and BRAC’s Adam Knapp: Until Louisiana’s economic growth is felt in the daily lives of more of our friends and neighbors, the state will continue to underperform compared to its enormous economic potential.
Third, Messer adds, Riegel’s column opens the door for all of us to examine two critical perspectives when it comes expanding economic prosperity: The perception of our state’s current situation as well as the internalization of comparisons and rankings.
“Louisiana didn’t show up at all,” were the words of Riegel when discussing quality-of-life rankings.
“The statement should be a rallying cry for all of us since Louisiana actually does show up when we understand the depth of the crisis or challenges facing the state,” Messer writes. “Through weather-related tragedies, man-made disasters and economic downturns, Louisiana grit, tenacity and inventiveness has risen to the challenge, enabling our economy to tell a story of resiliency that—absent context—is not always communicable in rankings.”
