Louisiana ranks second in the nation, behind Texas, for infrastructure investments supporting economic development, according to Site Selection magazine’s inaugural Global Groundwork Index.
The new index evaluates nations and states based on investments made in corporate facilities combined with infrastructure investments in roads, bridges, pipelines, railroads, airports and more.
Canada leads the way globally, followed by the U.S. and Australia, Site Selection reports. Meanwhile, Texas, Louisiana and Nebraska come out on top of the 50 states.
The Global Groundwork Index is based on data from Conway Analytics’ Conway Projects Database and global infrastructure advisory and events firm CG/LA.
“Keeping a pulse on who is building the right infrastructure in the right places is critical for long-term success, and we see clear winners and losers at this stage,” CG/LA President Norman Anderson says in a news release.
With new investments in recent years, Louisiana’s transportation infrastructure has seen “significant enhancements,” according to a press release from Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Office, touting the ranking. The governor’s release highlights several recent investments, including $250 million to widen segments of the Interstate-10 corridor and planned improvements to the I-10 exit to and from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which is also undergoing upgrades with a $1-billion, 35-gate terminal expansion.
“The Site Selection recognition of our infrastructure leadership provides further validation that Louisiana is growing in a smart and strategic way,” Edwards says in the release.
See the rankings here.
