23 and counting: The Louisiana Business & Technology Center, LSU’s award-winning incubator, celebrated 23 years of assisting small businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators Monday evening at an event on the LSU campus. Red Six Media was named Tenant of the Year, and Object 9 received the Graduate Company of the Year award. LSU Chancellor Mike Martin, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret were among those who spoke at the event to honor the more than 140 graduate companies and the 10,000-plus jobs they’ve created since the incubator was founded in 1988.
Getting the green light: Mayor Kip Holden will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to mark the completion of improvements to Siegen Lane, the 21st roadway project completed in the Green Light Plan. At a cost of $13.2 million, Siegen Lane has been widened from a two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane curb and gutter roadway with a raised median and sidewalks on both sides, from Highland Road to a point just south of Perkins Road. Improvements also include a realigned intersection with new traffic signals at North Oak Hills Parkway and Briar Hollow Avenue, the installation of new sewer force main along the full length of the project limits, and a storm drainage system replacing the previous roadside ditches. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the project right-of-way area at Siegen Lane and North Oak Hills Parkway.
Still motivating: Former LSU basketball coach Dale Brown will launch his latest book tonight. Brown, now a motivational speaker, will unveil Getting Over the 4 Hurdles of Life. The 160-page hardcover book is billed as showing “ways to get past obstacles, or hurdles that block paths to success, happiness and peace of mind.” The introduction is by former LSU and NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. Brown coached LSU for 25 years, leading his teams to four SEC titles and two Final Four appearances.
