SPOTLIGHT
CHARLES LANDRY
Partner, Fishman Haygood
“What we need in Baton Rouge is exclaimers, not complainers. We have got to let go of our inferiority complex and build some pride. Our community needs a brand. It needs to be true. And we need to be everywhere with it. The River Center redevelopment, the LSU Arena, Memorial Park, Plan Baton Rouge III—these projects will help us achieve that. But getting there isn’t a singular journey; we must do it together.”
Chief Executive Officer, Pelican Credit Union
“We give the bad actors the microphone. We do it all the time. The newspaper does it. The TV stations do it. Radio does it. We are so bad about amplifying that one dissenting voice. We’re not waving the Baton Rouge flag to promote the good things that are happening. Last week, for the first time, I got to see a downtown suite apartment overlooking the city and the river. It was amazing! I knew we were developing some areas downtown, but I had no idea of how impressive it turned out. It provides a great residential option for professionals. The owners of the apartment said, “We love it down here. We walk our dogs; we go eat over here. Anytime there’s an event, we can walk to it.” It felt like the beginning of the Nashville and Austin experience in Baton Rouge. We’re just on the cusp. But it’s going to take more focus, more vision, and less focusing on the negative. Its time to change the narrative and highlight all the good things we have going on so that we inspire more goodness.”
DAVID CRESSON
President and CEO, Louisiana Chemical Association and Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance
“In the mid-1980s, the term ‘Cancer Alley’ emerged through a national special-interest PR campaign. It was debunked in the early 1990s by health experts, but the label persists today, despite data that shows cancer incidence rates are actually 5.5% lower and life expectancy a full year higher in the industrial corridor than in parishes outside the corridor. Many factors contribute to health outcomes in Louisiana, including lifestyle and socioeconomic factors. Good jobs and educational opportunities reduce financial barriers to healthcare and other vital resources. Sustaining these opportunities must remain a priority in our region and our state. That is what makes the continued use of this insidious term so harmful. It influences how Louisiana is perceived nationally, and how we perceive ourselves. It undermines confidence and civic pride, and stifles growth and investment. It drives talented people from our state and sends business to our neighbors. We must change this perception, and we all have a role to play.”
Chief Executive Officer, Ochsner Baton Rouge and Lake Charles
“We’ve talked about all of the assets that we have. To Jeff’s point, it’s all about collaboration. To Willie’s point, it’s about creating that shared vision. To Charles’ point, it’s finding the right mechanism to convene. Is it the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership now, or is it the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, or others? Probably all of the above. But we have to find a way to come together to prioritize how we market and sell our assets – not only to the general public, but also to the younger generations. That’s the future.”
President and CEO, Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance
“Baton Rouge has so much to offer, such as great parks, family-friendly activities, and a welcoming community. Yet, too often, old negative headlines overshadow that reality. The Better in BTR campaign is changing the narrative, and we need to keep that momentum going. People who move here love it, so why are we so hard on ourselves?”
Chancellor, Baton Rouge Community College
“We’ve always been honest about our challenges. And it is not a bad thing to be honest about our challenges. But we forget to celebrate our wins. We don’t talk about the good. LSU, Southern, and BRCC are all doing amazing work for the people of Baton Rouge and our state. The remedy is simple: tell our success stories loudly and often, and pair them with real solutions. When people see progress and feel included in it, pride grows, and the entire community becomes more optimistic.”
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