Wired in: Baton Rouge-based Bascom Hunter announced today it has been awarded a contract to develop a novel interference cancellation system for the U.S. Navy. The initial demonstration contract is valued at $716,000. Founded in 2010 by Andrew McCandless and Paul Prucnal, Bascom Hunter is a wireless communication equipment and service provider specializing in solving problems in wireless communications for industrial and government customers.
One for the road: New Orleans Carriage Cab today launched backseat vending machines inside its 250-car fleet that also includes the Yellow-Checker Cab brands. Company owner Simon Garber says his 14-year-old son pitched the idea in 2007 to offer passengers soft drinks, but Garber says he was doubtful then it could work. The dispenser has been tested for about six months and is currently available in about 40 cabs. The rest of the fleet will get the machines in the next few months.
On the fence: The Louisiana Municipal Association is the latest statewide association to say it has yet to take an official position on Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposal to overhaul the state’s tax code. After meeting with state revenue head Tim Barfield on Monday, LMA issued a statement today saying it “still has major concerns regarding the sweeping reform,” especially the impact increasing the state sales tax rate to 5.88% could have on municipal governments’ ability to maintain or increase local sales tax rates. The Louisiana Chemical Association and LABI have also abstained from coming out for or against the proposal thus far.
