In it to win it: Entrepreneurs are being invited to enter the fourth annual Louisiana Startup Prize, an entrepreneurial competition that aims to help startups succeed through networking and educational events that provide access to resources essential their success. The competition also connects startups with potential investors and offers them a chance to win more than $70,000 in cash and professional services. The Shreveport Times reports 150 entrepreneurs, representing 82 startup companies and small businesses, took part in last year’s Startup Prize. The competition is open to all entrepreneurs from across the country and consists of two qualifying events on April 21-23 and June 2-4 in Shreveport. Each startup will be required to attend at least one weekend-long qualifier to be eligible for the grand prize. Qualifying events cost $50 each to attend. Read the full story.
Detour ahead: In anticipation of road closures and other parade-related traffic issues this weekend in Southdowns and Spanish Town, the Capital Area Transit System says it will reroute three bus lines and is warning riders of slower Friday night service on two others. CATS says routes 17 and 18 will be affected by the Southdowns Parade on Friday, but will still run their regular routes. Parade-related traffic will likely cause service on the two routes to run more slowly. The Spanish Town Parade rolls on Saturday through downtown Baton Rouge. And due to road closures related to the parades, routes 22 (Winbourne Avenue/Cortana Mall), 44 (Florida Boulevard), and 103 (Downtown/Airport Express) will be rerouted. More information is available online.
Something to talk about: President Donald Trump, who has vowed to stop U.S. manufacturing from disappearing overseas, will seek job-creation advice this morning from at least five companies that are laying off thousands of workers as they shift production abroad. Reuters reports Caterpillar, United Technologies Corp., Dana Inc., 3M and General Electric, are offshoring work to Mexico, China, India and other countries. Executives from the five companies are among a group of business leaders due to meet with Trump to discuss how to help the president deliver on his promise to increase factory employment, according to the White House. About 2,300 U.S. workers at these five companies stand to lose their jobs within the next two years as a result of offshoring, according to the Labor Department. Read the full story.
