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First-quarter drop in GDP not seen as prelude to recession
The U.S. economy shrank in the first three months of the year, and faces threats from high inflation and rising interest rates, yet economists...
Roundup: Housing development grants / Mortgage rates drop / Menthol ban
Applications open: Mayor Sharon Weston Broome today announced the East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Community Development is accepting applications for approximately $2 million...
BRAC launches small business services program
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber today announced the formal launch of its small business services program headed by a new, permanent position on the...
The Water Campus’ Smart Port dashboard becomes vital tool for river traffic
The technology behind the groundbreaking Smart Port initiative launched last year at The Water Campus in Baton Rouge was already out there.
It was just...
TRENDS: Capital Region retail market sees post-pandemic rebound
The Baton Rouge-area retail market has rebounded from the lows of 2020 and is on an upward trajectory through the first quarter of this year, according to Charlie Colvin of Momentum Commercial Real Estate.
Legislation to create new type of loan for low-income borrowers draws critics
State Sen. Rick Ward, R-Port Allen, has proposed creating the “credit access loan,” a new type of financial product for Louisiana, intended for borrowers who can’t qualify for a bank loan.
Board of Regents says efforts to improve nursing shortage not enough
Efforts to address Louisiana’s nursing shortage are yielding some results but not at the scale needed to meet an estimated shortage of approximately 6,000 registered nurses by 2030.
Roundup: DOTD audit / Hurricane Ida / Google policy
Audit issues resolved: A legislative auditor’s report focusing on the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development found the department has resolved most issues from...
GolfSuites opening in May on Siegen Lane as Topgolf competitor
GolfSuites, a high-tech driving range, will open May 10 on Siegen Lane in the former Caddyshack Driving Range space.
Baton Rouge lags in hot housing market report
Less expensive cities with strong local economies climbed The Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com Emerging Housing Markets Index in the first quarter of this year, another sign that many homebuyers are giving priority to affordability.
Shuttered Bluffs golf course in talks with potential new owner
The Bluff’s on Thompson Creek golf course in West Feliciana Parish, which abruptly closed last year, has prospective new ownership, WBRZ-TV reports.
What business leaders can learn from how lawyers operate
There’s a trope that lawyers make poor businesspeople. Risk-averse. Narrow. Gradual. Some studies lend credence to the notion that lawyers may not be best...
Tax Foundation rates Louisiana fifth best for unemployment taxes
The Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation ranks Louisiana’s unemployment insurance tax system fifth best in the nation.
The influential organization, which generally doesn’t think Louisiana’s tax...
Roundup: Consumer confidence / Coronavirus antibodies / US home sales
Dampened: U.S. consumer confidence dampened slightly in April but remains high even as inflation continues to cloud optimism about the rest of the year....
Mike Strain plugs carbon capture as climate change fix
Rising global temperatures could damage crop production, but farmers also need domestic oil and gas production to increase, Louisiana's agriculture commissioner says.
“Climate change is...
As gambling industry grows, Legislature looks to curb addiction
Louisiana's Legislature is debating a bill that would require mobile sports betting operators to adopt a program that currently bans gambling addicts from casinos,...
Where to find dishes and desserts to beat the Louisiana heat
Though there’s still some time left before the sweltering summer heat, we can all agree that it’s starting to get toasty in the Capital...
Baton Rouge hotels nearly full for this weekend’s Garth Brooks concert
Country star Garth Brooks will draw more than 100,000 fans to Tiger Stadium this Saturday, and local hotels are at or near occupancy for the event.
City-parish puts out request for proposals as trash contract nears end
Mayor Sharon Weston Broome today announced the city-parish has put out a request for proposals for contractors to provide solid waste and recycling services.
How small businesses can soften the blow of ransomware attacks
Most small businesses would not survive the week after getting hit by a ransomware attack. And a response to an attack can make matters worse. However, there are actions businesses can take to soften the blow.
