Q2 2010

MANY SHADES of Green Eco-Friendly Industries Finding Success in Louisiana

LSU AGCenter: Mississippi River Louisiana’s New Leader HydroPower Modernization inside

letter from 14 Secretary Moret Economic Update The State Of Louisiana’s Economy 4 ith abundant natural resources, a legacy in energy research and production, a strategic location and unparalleled transportation Regional Close-Up W infrastructure, Louisiana is fast becoming a leader in the 8 economy. Our state is establishing its leadership role Partner In Prosperity: by harnessing natural strengths and diversifying existing industries, while LSU AgCenter simultaneously developing eco-friendly industries.

Louisiana Establishes Nation’s First Accordingly, our feature article describes how Louisiana is targeting new Business Emergency Operations Center 9 growth opportunities in renewable energy and green , what we are doing to expand on early successes, and how several 8 recently launched green ventures are contributing to our economy, as Momentum Louisiana well as the greater environmental good. 8 Companies Say ‘Yes’ To Louisiana 10 For example, you will read about Free Flow Power Corp., a manufacturer whose hydropower products are harnessing the power of Louisiana’s Small Business Spotlight 14 waterways. The Regional Close-Up highlights the positive economic Shreveport Bike Shop impact of the LSU AgCenter’s research, and our Small Business Spotlight Finds High-End Niche describes how one entrepreneur opened the business of his dreams. On The Cover For EQ&A, Elizabeth “Boo” Thomas describes how she turned one 16 city’s downtown revitalization plan into a successful statewide model, Many Shades Of Green and shares her vision for future planning efforts.

Innovation Spotlight This issue also describes how a new state incentive influenced Folgers’ Banking On The River 24 expansion of multiple locations in the Greater New Orleans region.

As always, we provide a comprehensive update on Louisiana’s economy, EQ&A an overview of business development wins for the quarter and much more. Interview With Elizabeth “Boo” Thomas 26 Of The Center For Planning Excellence Thank you for your interest in Louisiana – a new frontier for 24 business opportunity. Advantage Louisiana Best regards, Looking Forward: Louisiana’s 28 Modernization Tax Credit

Stephen Moret, Secretary 13 Louisiana Economic Development

2 CONTRIBUTORS: Sara Bongiorni, Matt Braud, Carole Dupré, Jason El Koubi, 3 Christopher Fallin, Steven Grissom, Larry Henson, Melissa Lambert, Stephen Moret, EQ Q2 | 2010 Don Pierson, Maggie Heyn Richardson, Stephanie Roussell, Rina Thomas and Patrick Witty LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY economic update Louisiana’s Economy in Q2 2010

1. BAYOU 2. SOUTHEAST In the second quarter of 2010, recognition 7 3. CAPITAL Louisiana’s economy remained stable for its business 8 4. ACADIANA 380 5. SOUTHWEST in the face of national economic development RETAINED 6. CENTRAL adversity and posted solid economic efforts, including 7. NORTHEAST JOBS 8. NORTHWEST performance being named 6 compared to Co-state of the Year by Southern $136 the South and Business & Development magazine for 3 2 MILLION the U.S. overall. the second year in a row. The quarter’s 5 Louisiana business development efforts secured 4 continues to attract investment and wins that will create 593 new, direct create jobs in a time of jobs, retain 380 jobs and economic uncertainty result in nearly $136 million 1 while gaining national 593 in capital investment. NEW JOBS

4 5 EQ Q2 | 2010 LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY Employment Housing Louisiana’s unemployment rate and job growth numbers When comparing change in house prices from the peak continued their positive trends in the second quarter. At to current average (April 2010), Louisiana (-2.3 percent) LOUISIANA’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS the end of the quarter, Louisiana’s unemployment rate outperformed the national average (-21.1 percent) 11 REMAINED BELOW THAT OF THE U.S. AND SOUTH (7 percent) was tied for second-lowest in the South and and most of the South. According to CoreLogic data, SINCE THE START OF THE NATIONAL RECESSION tied for 12th-lowest in the nation. In fact, Louisiana’s Louisiana had the second-lowest change in the South and 10 unemployment rate has remained well below that of the the sixth-lowest in the nation. South and the U.S. every month since the beginning of 9 LOUISIANA the national recession. RealtyTrac ranked Louisiana 13th lowest in foreclosure rates in the nation for the first half of 2010. PMI’s SOUTH 8 Furthermore, several of the state’s regions and major cities Housing Market Risk Index’s second quarter forecast UNITED STATES stood out for low unemployment at the end of the quarter. states that Louisiana’s MSAs are at minimal to low risk 7 The Bayou Region had the lowest unemployment rate in of experiencing housing price declines through 2011, the state, while four Louisiana MSAs also experienced including Lake Charles (minimal risk) and Houma, rates comparable to nationwide averages, including Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans, Shreveport (low risk). 6 Houma/Thibodaux (tied for 22nd), Lafayette (tied for 41st), and Lake Charles and Shreveport (tied for 98th). In addition, according to an update of Housing Predictor’s 5 Best Forecast Housing Markets, two of the top 25 housing Louisiana’s non-farm employment grew every month markets for 2010 are located in Louisiana. Lafayette was 4 during the second quarter. Over the second quarter, ranked 15th and Baton Rouge was ranked 20th, based on Louisiana’s job growth outperformed the national rate the forecast percentage increase in average home prices. 3 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN (1.0 percent versus 0.5 percent). Additionally, Louisiana experienced its first year-over-year increase in employment Banking 2008 2009 2010 since December 2008, adding 6,900 jobs (0.4 percent) According to the FDIC, Louisiana’s financial sector between June 2009 and June 2010. Since the beginning of continued its relatively strong performance into the the recession, Louisiana non-farm employment decreased second quarter. Louisiana’s 131 and thrifts reported by 1.2 percent from January 2008 to June 2010, which is a 3.9 percent increase in net loans and since the less than any other Southern state, the Southern average beginning of the recession (end of 2007 to March 2010), Throughout this period, Louisiana also outperformed the with a rate of 430 entrepreneurs out of every 100,000 (-4.9 percent) and the U.S. average (-5.4 percent). in contrast to the 17 percent decline at the national level. nation in asset growth (10.8 percent versus -7.3 percent), state residents. deposit growth (12.5 percent versus -1.4 percent) and total equity growth (12.1 percent versus -0.6 percent). The Business Insider recognized four Louisiana MSAs (Alexandria, Houma-Thibodaux, Lafayette, Lake Rankings Charles) as part of its 20 Best Cities for Finding a Job, 107 LOUISIANA’S EMPLOYMENT LEVELS HAVE In the second quarter of 2010, Louisiana continued to based on their low unemployment rates. OUTPACED THE REST OF THE COUNTRY rise in national economic and business climate rankings, Total non-farm, seasonally adjusted employment (100=January 2008) LOUISIANA signaling the nation’s changing perception of the state as a The Brookings Institution’s MetroMonitor ranked Baton place to do business. Rouge among the top 21 performing metro areas in the SOUTH U.S. during the first quarter of 2010, based on employment UNITED STATES In the Pacific Research Institute’s Tort Liability Index for changes, gross metropolitan product and other factors. 2010, Louisiana experienced significant gains, climbing from 29th in 2008 to 11th in 2010, based on the outcomes The quarter ahead of the state tort system. In addition, Louisiana was one of Economic development efforts in 2009 and early 2010 100 only five states categorized as “saints,” or states that have have produced significant business development projects relatively low monetary tort losses, low tort litigation risks in key industries that are beginning to pay dividends in the and relatively strong tort rules. state’s economy. As recently announced projects across the state begin operations, they are creating job opportunities Site Selection magazine’s 2009 Competitiveness Awards that will help the economy continue to grow. recognized Louisiana Economic Development as the second-best economic development agency in the nation, Looking toward the remainder of the year, Louisiana is which marks the first time Louisiana placed in the top 10 looking to build upon its recent business development in the ranking’s history. successes, sustain a healthy business environment and 93 maintain the economic outperformance it has experienced JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN On the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, since the recession began. 2008 2009 2010 Louisiana jumped from 18th in 2008 to eighth in 2009,

6 7 EQ Q2 | 2010 LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY >>> REGIONAL CLOSE-UP REGIONAL CLOSE-UP <<<

Louisiana Establishes Nation’s First Business Emergency Operations Center

n June 2010, Louisiana took a significant step toward improving the lines of communication with its business Icommunity before, during and after an emergency. To help LSU AGCENTER: streamline disaster response and recovery efforts for businesses, Partner In Prosperity the state established the Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center, or LA BEOC. utting-edge research by scientists at the LSU AgCenter has a positive impact that reaches far beyond The first of its kind in the nation, the LA BEOC is a Cthe laboratory. collaboration among Louisiana Economic Development, the Governor’s Office of Homeland and Emergency Groundbreaking by LSU AgCenter researchers is a critical Preparedness, or GOHSEP, Stephenson Disaster Manage- economic development tool in industries as diverse as , ment Institute at LSU and the NIMSAT Institute at Univer- “The end result is a more resilient Louisiana,” said GOHSEP food processing and , and one that helps create jobs Louisiana is currently sity of Louisiana at Lafayette. Director Mark Cooper. and boost the profits and productivity of the state’s $30 billion agribusiness sector. third in the nation for An annex of the state’s Emergency Operations Center, the Located at LSU’s South Campus in Baton Rouge, La., the sweet potato acreage. LA BEOC will facilitate communication with Louisiana’s LA BEOC will seat up to 40 business leaders, The LSU AgCenter’s role in helping to bring ConAgra Foods major economic-driver industries, as well as owners and and representatives from Louisiana’s Lamb Weston’s state-of-the-art sweet potato processing facility operators of critical infrastructure and key resources, to volunteer organizations active in disasters. When acti- to Delhi, La., underscores its benefit to residents and industry Lamb Weston will expand enhance emergency response. It will also assist businesses vated, it will provide access to a state-of-the-art audio- alike. Scientists at the AgCenter’s Sweet Potato Research Louisiana’s 15,000 acres with disaster planning, economic data to support post- visual system, videoconferencing systems, a wireless Station in Chase, La., collaborated over several years with disaster decision making, business assistance requests and network, generator capacity and several other resources the company’s researchers to develop a more disease-resistant already dedicated to sweet public response coordination. that will facilitate better connectivity and communications variety of sweet potato that was less prone to bruising during potato growth. for Louisiana’s business community. harvesting and processing.

Close proximity and easy access to the center’s scientists were primary reasons Lamb Weston selected Delhi, where the facility will open in fall 2010.

It is a success story that will create up to 600 new, direct jobs, up to 1,700 new, indirect jobs and support the expansion of the state’s sweet potato crop.

The center’s role as an economic resource will continue to grow in light of escalating global demand for food, fiber and fuels, noted William Richardson, LSU AgCenter chancellor.

“ is one of the primary economic engines for Louisiana,” Richardson said. “And it only promises to grow.”

8 TOP PHOTO: (left to right) NIMSAT Executive Director Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, Google Chief 9 Advocate Michael Jones, LED Secretary Stephen Moret, GOHSEP Director Mark Cooper, LSU E.J. Ourso EQ Q2 | 2010 College of Business Dean Eli Jones, SDMI Executive Director Col. Joseph Booth LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY momentum LOUISIANA 8 companies say ‘YES’ to Louisiana

Pennington Biomedical Atlantic Metrocast Research Center 100 new jobs, $32,000 avg. salary, 250 new jobs, $56,000 avg. salary, $5 million capital investment $10 million challenge grant In April 2010, Atlantic Metrocast announced plans to develop a To cultivate research, clinical trials and testing new, pre-stressed concrete production facility at the Port of opportunities related to obesity and diabetes, New Orleans. The announcement marked the return of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center was awarded company to New Orleans after it was sold and relocated in the a $10 million challenge grant to fund a new, knowledge- 1940s. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project based job creation initiative. To receive the grant, Pennington will generate $5.4 million in new, state tax revenue and will need to secure grants from federal agencies and corporations $3.6 million in new, local tax revenue over the next 10 years. sufficient to create permanent, statewide jobs, and raise an additional The company intends to take advantage of the Quality Jobs, Industrial $10 million in matching funds from philanthropic contributions. This initiative, Tax Exemption and Economic Development Award programs. including but not limited to Pennington’s activities, could result in the creation of up to 4,000 new, direct and indirect jobs over the next 20 years. To further enhance its “Our hope is to be in New Orleans for the long term and competitiveness, Dr. Steven Heymsfield, former global director of Scientific Affairs participate in all of the exciting growth that this great and Obesity at Merck & Co. Inc., was appointed as executive director. city is experiencing.” “The state challenge grant builds on the governor’s previous commitment to the William Crossman physical infrastructure required for competitive research success and recognizes the President and CEO of Atlantic Metrocast dynamic future Pennington has under its new executive director, Steve Heymsfield.”

John Lombardi President of the LSU System

Point Bio Energy LLC Bruce Foods 100 new jobs, $57,400 avg. salary, $124 million capital investment 43 new jobs (380 retained), $31,400 avg. salary, In April 2010, Point Bio Energy selected the Port plans to take advantage of the state’s Quality Jobs $5 million capital investment of Greater Baton Rouge for the company’s new and Industrial Tax Exemption programs. wood pellet manufacturing facility. Because of Bruce Foods, one of America’s largest privately “We commend the governor and thank him its strategic location within a sustainable forest “Point Bio Energy is extremely proud to be owned food manufacturing companies, for his commitment to Louisiana’s business area, the port will allow Point developing its operations in the Capital Region. announced in April 2010 it will expand its New community. The assistance offered through Bio to wood supplies to its The wood pellet production sector is seeing Iberia, La., facility. Founded in 1928, Bruce these programs … clearly played a role in facility at a lower price point than its unprecedented levels of growth, and our facility Foods will manufacture new, value-added our decision to expand our operations in competitors. Louisiana Economic positions the port, the region and the state to products from root vegetables, such as sweet Louisiana instead of North Carolina Development estimates the be a major benefactor in reaping the benefits of potatoes, carrots and squash, once the plant or Mississippi.” project will generate $12.9 million that growth.” expansion is complete. Louisiana Economic in new, state tax revenue and Development estimates the expansion will J.S. “Si” Brown $9.6 million in new, local tax revenue William New President and CEO of Bruce Foods generate nearly $3.5 million in new, state tax over the next 10 years. The company CEO of Point Bio Energy LLC revenues over 10 years, excluding corporate income taxes.

10 11 EQ Q2 | 2010 LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY W2oil Inc. 30 new jobs, $28,000 avg. salary, $1.45 million capital investment In June 2010, W2oil Inc. relocated its headquarters and Premiere Properties manufacturing facilities from Magnolia, Ark., to Cullen, La. of the South W2oil owns the exclusive worldwide rights to a proven 11 retained jobs, pyrolysis processing technology that converts waste tire $12,209 SEBD assistance rubber into high-value byproducts. Louisiana Economic Development assisted the oil solvent production company Premiere Properties of the South launched in July 2007 with permitting processes and identifying applicable state as a real estate brokerage firm focused on providing incentives, such as the Enterprise Zone and Industrial Tax excellent customer in the Bayou Region. What Exemption programs. started as a one-person shop has expanded to include “I have been very fortunate to work with the SEBD more than 13 full- and part-time employees and program and SLEC. They have provided me with “For new companies seeking to establish themselves, the contractors. Through certification in the Small and top professionals in their fields who have and will time required to secure permits to begin operations comes Emerging Business Development program, Premiere continue to help me grow and expand my services.” at a high price. The LED and LDEQ teams operating under Properties worked with the South Louisiana Economic Tiffany Rabalais Gov. Jindal’s leadership are topnotch, and how these two Council to a new website and create training Owner of Premiere Properties of the South separate entities synchronize in their efforts to get things and materials that led to significant growth done is particularly impressive.” for the company’s client base and services.

Keith Klinkhamer Executive Vice President of W2oil Inc.

The Tin Roof Brewing Co. Madison 3 1 new job (2 retained), $3,240 SEBD assistance More than 70 new jobs, $3.8 million in The Tin Roof Brewing Co., a microbrewery based in Baton annual salaries, $1 billion capital investment Rouge, La., produces three specialized brews based on the culture and traditions of Louisiana. Through its certification Headquartered in Pineville, La., Cleco Power announced in the Small and Emerging Business Development program, the completion and service of its 600-megawatt clean the microbrewery worked with the city of Baton Rouge power generator, Madison 3, in April 2010. Currently to launch a customer-focused website and social media using the byproduct petroleum as fuel, the strategy to promote its new products. With the technical Madison 3 employs circulating fluidized-bed technology, assistance provided, the company was able to better which is capable of using renewable products, such publicize and prepare for its product launch and opening of as biomass, to generate electricity. Cleco Power, a a new brewery site. subsidiary of Cleco Corp., has taken advantage of the state’s Quality Jobs program. “The SEBD funds were extremely helpful because they allowed us to build a better website and social media “With the help of Louisiana Economic Development and package. Because of the assistance, we had more than 2,000 Louisiana Workforce Commission, we were provided a people inquire about our company and products before we pool of highly qualified candidates that allowed Cleco even opened our doors.” to easily fill positions, thus creating a strong and highly capable team to operate this complex unit.” William McGehee and Charles Caldwell Owners of The Tin Roof Brewing Co. Brady Baudin Business and Economic Development Manager of Cleco Power

12 13 EQ Q2 | 2010 LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY >>> SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT <<<

Business and Pleasure: Shreveport Bike Shop finds

HIGH-END Hutchinson had a wealth of skills from ex- pertise and years of work as a corporate vice president. But to help launch his business, Hutchinson became certified in Louisiana Economic Development’s Small NICHE and Emerging Business Development program, which provides technical assistance to small businesses. hreveport, La., is home to an enthusiastic and competitive group of cyclists. But until last year, its avid riders often had to The Louisiana Small Business Development Center in Sdrive to Dallas in search of specialized gear. Shreveport also provided critical support. “You’ve got super high-end athletes here, and it drove me crazy that “I can’t begin to describe the value of what they they could not get what they needed locally,” said Milton Hutchinson, provided,” Hutchinson said. a competitive cyclist, triathlete and retired vice president for Frymaster Corp. “They were going out of state to get what they needed.” The center’s staff helped him develop a logo and offered insights about branding. They also connected In summer of 2009, Hutchinson launched an upscale bike shop to him with a local expert in QuickBooks, provided supply the market with top-flight, customized gear. He opened The Bike marketing and demographic research, and helped pay Pedaler after studying the city’s demographics and concluding that it for graphic design for shop signage, stationery and could support another local bike shop. employee shirts.

Since he comes from an extended family of entrepreneurs, the venture Additional support included help with a business was the culmination of a longtime desire to open a business of his own. development plan, cash-flow projections and loan- Hutchinson’s retirement and a newly empty nest gave him the chance to packaging assistance. write a new chapter in his life. To date, the shop has created three full-time, salaried The vision of a bike shop grew from his many years of involvement in positions and four part-time jobs. cycling, along with that unfilled market niche. Hutchinson said his first year has been good, but already “I thought this would be good for people, and also a lot of fun,” he said. he is thinking of the next phase of the business. Eventu- ally, he would like to build on The Bike Pedaler’s role He designed the shop to be more than a place to buy professional-level as a gathering place by adding what he calls a “cyclists’ bikes that sell for $3,000 to $15,000. It’s also a gathering spot for the lounge” with a coffee bar and a big-screen . local cycling community. Hutchinson leads group evening rides, hosts speakers and bike clubs, and offers spin classes in an adjacent space “That’s my long-term goal, but we’ve got to walk before we during the winter months, when early darkness makes rides difficult. run,” Hutchinson said.

14 15 EQ Q2 | 2010 LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY >>> ON THE COVER ON THE COVER <<<

MANY SHADES of Green

Eco-Friendly Industries Leveraging its natural resources and on its Finding Success in Louisiana legacy as a leader in energy production, Louisiana is now developing a thriving sector of energy efficiency and eco-friendly ventures that are contributing both to the statewide economy and the greater social good. Several new projects are under way throughout the state, including and green workforce development initiatives, as well as ventures that capitalize on the state’s raw materials.

16 17 EQ Q2 | 2010 LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY >>> ON THE COVER ON THE COVER <<<

In fact, a recent analysis by consultancy McKinsey & Co. strengths to cultivate new, sustainable industries. Not The Louisiana Legislature Louisiana is a great place found that Louisiana could develop up to 90,000 new only can Louisiana support existing in recently passed generous tax to invest in solar energy jobs over the next two decades in sustainable industries. these industries, but it can also invest and increase its for solar installations The study was part of Louisiana’s “blue ocean” business role in future technologies that will drive exponential and compressed , with aggressive tax credits development initiative, a comprehensive plan targeting growth over the next several years. The analysis also or CNG, and fueling and Grid Tied Net Metering. potential sectors in which Louisiana can achieve concluded that the state is well-positioned to grow stations. Considered some significant market share over the next 20 years. The significant numbers of new jobs in such industries as of the best tax incentives in name derives from the 2005 business Blue Ocean water management, next wave oil and gas, and renewable the country, these two pieces Strategy, which asserts that corporations should indentify energy and energy efficiency. of legislation have sparked new investment in alternative energy Louisiana provides a 50 percent uncontested market space where they can define the subsectors, including a spike in state-based solar installation tax credit of up to $12,500 for the rules on competition rather than be controlled by them. “Louisiana’s remarkable combination of natural assets – companies followed by a new solar installation curriculum at purchase of solar electric and solar Louisiana Economic Development took inspiration from many of which can be converted to biomass, its waterways Louisiana Community and Technical College campuses in New water heating systems installed on the concept – part of an ongoing effort to find areas of and transportation and logistics network, the experience Orleans and Lafayette, La. residential property. potential market dominance. of its workforce in energy production and its experience in rebuilding with green techniques … all make it the perfect Houston-based natural gas company Apache Oil found that McKinsey’s research revealed that because of the state’s place to launch green businesses,” said LED Secretary Louisiana’s 50 percent alternative fuel state tax credit sets it In 2005, Louisiana passed legislation low-cost manufacturing environment and distinctive Stephen Moret. “We’ve also seen the start of good public apart from the rest of the country. Use of cleaner-burning CNG allowing Grid Tied Net Metering logistics and transportation assets, along with other policy and tax credits in this area in the last few years – a is expected to grow in the U.S. now that technology has made it throughout the state. Net excess advantages, Louisiana can successfully leverage its move that will continue.” easier to reach natural gas deposits in domestic underground rock power generated is credited to the reservoirs, called shale plays. The largest in North America, and customer’s next bill. one of the largest in the world, is located in North Louisiana.

Less expensive and safer for the environment, CNG use is expected Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf to grow among public and private converted fleets. States Louisiana now offer electricity Apache, for example, is building its latest CNG fueling station in generated from environmentally Lafayette to help fuel its own fleets and those of other businesses. friendly renewable energy producers in the state. According to Britt Dearman, special projects manager and leader of Apache’s CNG initiatives, the company found Louisiana’s tax credits too appealing to pass up.

“It’s much more difficult to justify a project in Texas than in Louisiana when both vehicles and stations are receiving a credit Louisiana could in Louisiana,” he said. “It makes a big difference in the economics and in building momentum for a project.”

Clean coal technologies are also being developed in the state. In 2009, ADA Environmental Solutions began on the develop up to 90,000 largest activated carbon, or AC, plant in North America in Red River Parish. The facility represents the company’s largest and fastest growing segment, and it will process 8,000 pounds per hour of powdered AC, a specialty chemical used by the power new jobs over the next industry to reduce mercury emissions.

“This new facility reflects our continued commitment to provide clean coal technology to the power industry,” said ADA-ES two decades in President and CEO Michael Durham. “We are very pleased to expand our investment in this resource-rich area of the country.” sustainable industries.

18 19 EQ Q2 | 2010 LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY ON THE COVER <<<

Biofuels are a natural into ultra-clean fuels, including summer grade to arctic fit for Louisiana, a grade diesel and jet fuel,” said Duga. “These products are timely springboard extremely stable, exceed all the standards of conventional from the state’s long, petroleum-based fuels and are usable across a very wide successful tradition band of operating temperatures.” of agribusiness and energy production. The venture is just one of several new, green projects A number of that have identified Louisiana as the optimum site to groundbreaking do business. projects that convert Louisiana’s lush raw materials to renewable energy are planned or under way in the state. In April 2010, Point Bio Energy LLC announced it would locate a $124 million manufacturing facility at the Port of Algae is one of the country’s most promising areas of Greater Baton Rouge to produce wood pellets, a popular biofuels, and Louisiana has been identified as a leading source of fuel for European home heating. site for potential algae-to-energy production. A recent market study found Louisiana is the most promising “Louisiana was the perfect site,” said Bill New, chairman state in the U.S. for scaled open-pond, freshwater algae and CEO of Point Bio Energy. development. Other factors, including water resources, rainfall and evaporation rates, low-cost land, good sunlight The soaring cost of fossil fuels in Europe, along with and plentiful CO2 sources, such as power plants and the government pressure to reduce greenhouse gases, has industry, required in conversion, will make spiked demand across the Atlantic for the small, dense the state a leading destination for companies in this pellets. According to New, between 2007 and 2008, burgeoning sector. European demand jumped from 7 million to 9.5 million Creating Power from Animal Byproducts metric tons and is expected to continue to grow up to Dynamic Fuels, a joint venture between Tyson Foods and 30 percent a year. The U.S. is well-situated to help meet Syntroleum Corp., chose Geismar, La., for a new venture demand because of its timber resources. that converts non-food-grade animal fats into clean- burning . Point Bio had searched nationwide for the right site to launch its new operation. Access to timber, however, “The state has excellent energy infrastructure, including wasn’t the only requirement. The company also wanted access to utilities and natural gas transportation linkages close proximity to deepwater ports. like barge, rail, truck and pipeline, and a skilled, local labor force,” said Dynamic Fuels Plant Manager Don Duga. “There were very few places like South Louisiana,” said New. “Transportation for us was primary. It’s ideal when Tyson produces large volumes of various grades of you can bring the forest to the port without double byproduct animal fats, such as beef tallow, pork lard, handling it. It keeps costs down for everyone.” Biological matter Liquid is separated Liquid is heated to Clean-burning diesel chicken fat and greases. According to Duga, when it is is collected. from solid waste. speed decomposition. fuel is created. fully operational later this year, Dynamic Fuels will use a Point Bio’s pellets deliver a 76 percent energy yield, process developed by Syntroleum called Bio-SynfiningTM factoring in all shipping costs. The company’s own carbon that converts fats into ultra-clean fuels with the lowest footprint is reduced by using its wood waste materials to emission levels of any transportation fuel on the market. help power the operation. “We are capable of processing a wide range of feedstocks

Creating Power from Renewable Wood Pellets “Louisiana was the perfect site,” said Bill New, chairman and CEO of Point Bio Energy.

Tree trimmings is transported to Small, dense wood Pellets are shipped across are harvested. facility for conversion. pellets are created. the planet for fuel.

20 21 EQ Q2 | 2010 LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY Hydrokinetics is part “Issues of and ‘green’ tend to be While projects Jon Guidroz, director of project development for Free Flow of a significant hub politicized, but we’re looking at this from an tap into the raw materials Power, the largest of the companies working in Louisiana, of activity under way economic development perspective,” said Hecht. grown and produced in says the Mississippi River is the most channeled river in in New Orleans, a city “This is a new centrist perspective that hasn’t existed. the state, hydrokinetic the world, a result of America’s long attempt to harness its using its post-Katrina I think people are very excited that we are main- power capitalizes power and potential. It’s also replete with river gauges, two rebirth to foster green streaming sustainability.” on another valuable conditions that lend to its predictability. business development. indigenous resource: GreenN.O.’s first major project, “Growing a Green Work- Louisiana’s waterways. “Those attributes make it incredibly attractive,” he “The newly minted force,” examines green, high-growth industries, and said. “The fact that the Mississippi River has been so GreenN.O. is a coali- benchmarks how workers are trained for them in the Snaking from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, engineered helps reduce risk.” tion of businesses, nonprofits, government agencies region. A move to grow and develop “green curricula” the Mississippi River discharges between 200,000 cubic and citizens that recognize the double bottom line of in two-year and four-year public institutions follows. feet and 700,000 cubic feet of water every second, and is “But there are other advantages to hydrokinetics diversifying the economy while sustaining the environ- The project is a collaborative effort among GNO Inc., the terminus for a vast network of rivers and tributaries in Louisiana,” said Guidroz. Unlike many states, ment,” said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of GNO the Northshore Community Foundation and South- that occupy 41 percent of the continental U.S. Its sheer Louisiana maintains rights over its riverbeds, Inc., which runs the project. eastern Louisiana in Hammond, La. According power makes it a winning setting for companies hoping making negotiating for turbine site establishment to Hecht, New Orleans is poised to become a leader in to convert hydrokinetic power to electricity. A handful far easier because there is a sole owner. GreenN.O. targets a handful of key subsectors for the new , building on its intense experience of new ventures have won preliminary permits to place expansion in the Greater New Orleans area, including in recovering from one of the country’s worst disasters. turbines, which capture energy from the river’s natural “Furthermore, the workforce is fluent in river conditions,” water management and hydrology; sustainable build- After Hurricane Katrina, the region drew several major flow, on the riverbed. he added. “It’s a harsh environment, and you want workers ing; energy efficiency and renewable energy; disaster green building projects and has become a hub of re- to have experience working in it.” management and mitigation. Four committees will search for disaster and water management. zero in on business development, workforce, policy and research to ensure that the business climate is “The importance of GreenN.O. is that, if we are suc- receptive to the growth of sustainable businesses in cessful, we will be able to simultaneously diversify Greater New Orleans. our economy while sustaining our environment,” said Hecht. “It’s an incredible opportunity.”

New Orleans is poised to become a leader in the new green economy.

Turbine generators can be placed in a number of positions to create electricity in the river:

Suspended between or attached to pylons Attached to abutments Maintained from barges Suspended from the surface

22 PHOTO: Free Flow Power’s SmarTurbineTM generator. 23 EQ Q2 | 2010 LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY >>> INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT 36

70 louisiana East carrolL Atchafalaya River Site 15: Woodland Light Hydrokinetic Cluster Site 16: Forty Eight Mile Point Site 01: Turnbull Island Site 17: Remy Bend 35 Site 02: Simmesport Site 18: College Point Banking on Site 03: Cypress Point Site 19: Brilliant Point madison Site 04: Melville Crevasse Site 20: General Hampton Site 05: Bayou Latenache Site 21: Eighty One Mile Point Site 06: Krotz Springs Site 22: Claiborne Island Site 07: Happytown Site 23: White Alder 33 Site 08: Whiskey Bay Site 24: Point Pleasantt 68 the Site 09: Tensas Site 25: Reliance Light tensas Site 10: Lake Mongoulois Site 26: Manchac Point 67 Site 11: Deadman Cove Site 27: Duncan Point ree Flow Power Corp.’s turbineRIVER prototype resembles River, one of its branches. The locations are largely Site 12: Lake Chicot Site 28: Scotlandville Bend Site 13: Turkey Island a towering airplane propeller encased in a large located north of bends in the river, where the water flow 32 Site 29: Sara Bend Site 14: Myette Point Site 30: Morgans Bend cylinder. The massive fan won’t be airborne, though. reaches optimum acceleration. F Site 15: South Myette Point Site 32: Kempe Bend Free Flow aims to submerge a colony of such turbines on Site 16: Cypress Pass Site 33: Newton Bend the bed of the Mississippi River, where they will harness the According to Guidroz, when it’s fully operational, Free Site 17: Stouts Pass Site 35: Milliken Bend current’s natural movement and convert it into electricity Flow could potentially submerge 500 turbines to 1,000 Site 36: Cat Island concordiA Mississippi River for everyday industrial and consumer use. turbines at each site. The flow of water, which has built Hydrokinetic Cluster 1 Mississippi River up steam since originating in northern Minnesota, has Site 3: Ironton Light Hydrokinetic Cluster 2 “They’re effectively like underwater windmills,” said Free enough power to coax the large fans into continuous 66 Site 4: Live Oak Site 60: Springfield Bend Site 5: Twelve Mile Point Flow’s Director of Project Development Jon Guidroz, a rotation. The energy is captured by converters situated Site 61: Point Menoir 65 Site 6: Algiers Light Site 62: Raccourci Island native New Orleanian who returned home to open the near the levee and converted to electricity, potentially Site 7: Gouldsboro Bend Site 63: Fort Adams company’s first Louisiana office in 2009. available to industrial and manufacturing sites along the 64 Site 8: Greenville Bend Site 64: Palmetto Point Site 9: Carrollton Bend river, as well as consumers. 69 Site 65: Jackson Point avoyElles Site 10: Avondale Bend Massachusetts-based Free Flow has been in the field 01 63 Site 66: Saint Catherine Bend Site 11: Kenner Bend Site 67: Bondurant Chute of hydropower for more than two decades, including 02 Site 12: St. Rose Bend Site 68: Davis Island Bend hydroelectric innovation and improvements to . In 62 west east Site 13: Fashion Light Site 69: Breeze Point feliciana feliciana the last few years, the company launched a major initia- 03 Site 14: Thirty Five Mile Point Site 70: Fitler Bend tive in hydrokinetics, a promising source of renewable 30 29 “It’s really the 04 energy expected to carry low environmental impact while pointe 61 offering a steady, predictable supply of energy created 05 coupee quite simply by the movement of water bodies. perfect place 60 East 06 West 28 baton rouge 07 baton “Hydrokinetics is not subject to the same weather whims rouge livingston for a project 08 of solar and wind power,” said Guidroz. Free Flow 27 26 studied 80,000 potential sites along waterways in the U.S. 09 25 like this.” 23 Ascension and found the Mississippi River was unmatched for its 10 Iberville 24 22 st. john channels, depths and viable turbine sites. 11 21 20 the baptist 12 19 15 17 16 eans 13 orl “It’s really the perfect place for a project like this,” Furthermore, Free Flow has plans to ultimately fabricate 18 14 13 9 6 12 11 said Guidroz. more than 1,000 structural and plastic turbines 14 St. James 10 7 assumption 8 5 a month for its own use and for to a growing 15 st. Charles

The company has been awarded 61 preliminary permits number of other hydrokinetic companies worldwide. 16 je st. bernard ff 4

for sites in Louisiana from the Federal Energy Regulatory 17 e rson Commission, or FERC, which oversees the nation’s “Currently, turbines are handmade and cost around lafourche 3 hydropower projects. Preliminary permits are the first $800,000 to produce,” said Guidroz. “Among other stage in FERC’s multiyear permitting process, and they things, we wanted to scale the project, mass produce the include analysis and evaluation to ensure turbines meet turbines and drive the cost down.” expectations and that impact to fisheries and commercial plaquEmin river traffic is minimal. “It’s an exciting field,” he added. “We’re just beginning to eS see the potential.” Free Flow has permits for 44 sites along the Mississippi River in Louisiana and 17 sites along the Atchafalaya

24 EQ Q2 | 2010 Elizabeth “Boo” Thomas Elizabeth “Boo” Thomas serves as president and CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence, or CPEX, a nonprofit that coordinates urban, rural and regional planning efforts in Louisiana.

[Q] CPEX sprang from Plan Baton Rouge, a [Q] One of your recent initiatives, the Louisiana comprehensive downtown revitalization Community Planning Program, received appropria- strategy. What was the impetus for taking the tions from EPA and HUD to support better planning program statewide? in individual . Why is this important?

[A] Because of the success of Plan Baton Rouge, [A] A lack of land-use planning is seen as a top and the private investment it attracted, we were impediment to economic development. What recognized nationally and called on to speak we find in many communities is haphazard throughout Louisiana. We had implemented almost funding for new housing or transportation, but 80 percent of the recommendations in the plan. It no comprehensive plan. It results in development proved that if you have a great plan where people that dilutes local resources. It’s not about limiting take part, it yields great results. In 2005, former development, but about guiding it to create a Gov. Kathleen Blanco asked us to provide a vision sustainable, livable community where people want for the state. By then, we had written a business to invest. plan to expand Plan Baton Rouge to the Center for Planning Excellence. So the timing was right. [Q] In terms of community planning, what do you hope to see throughout the state in the future? [Q] CPEX helped facilitate the award-winning Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan, which calls for [A] What’s exciting is that you can see it sustainable planning throughout the state. How happening in New Orleans already. It’s a magnet for does good planning foster economic development? smart, young people. I’m really a believer in having the kinds of communities that young people want [A] It’s all about leveraging funds and building to flock to, and that an aging can easily more efficiently and effectively so that our scarce function in, especially without a car. Our culture resources are used right. The plan shows how and our uniqueness have taken us far, and now Louisiana should grow in both short and long term, economic drivers, such as oil and gas, digital media, which sends a message that the state has a clear high-tech firms and our great , will get development strategy and that your investment is us to the next phase. Planning great communities is safer, now more than ever. a big part of our future success.

26 EQ Q2 | 2010 EQ&A >>> ADVANTAGE LOUISIANA ADVANTAGE LOUISIANA <<< LOUISIANA INCENTIVE SNAPSHOT Economic Incentives for Businesses of All Sizes Program Name Benefit Eligibility (not comprehensive) Tax credit program: provides a one-time $2,500 tax credit per certified net new job, and either a 4% /use tax • Must increase employment within specified time frame Enterprise Zone rebate on capital expenditures or an investment tax • Must hire 35% of new workers from one of four targeted groups credit equal to 1.5% of qualifying expenses Cash rebate: provides 5% or 6% rebate on annual payroll expenses for up to 10 years, and either a 4% sales/use tax • Must fall within one of the state’s target industries or Quality Jobs rebate on capital expenditures or an investment tax credit • Have total annual out-of-state sales of at least 50% equal to 1.5% of qualifying expenses

Property tax abatement: provides five-year 100% Restoration abatement for the rehabilitation of an existing structure • Must be located in a qualifying district and approved by Tax Abatement based on assessed valuation of property prior to local governing authority beginning of improvements • Does not exempt the acquisition cost of the structure

Property tax abatement: provides a 100% property tax Industrial Tax Exemption abatement for up to 10 years on manufacturer’s qualifying • Applies only to capital investments by Louisiana manufacturers capital investments • Property must remain on the site at all times

Tax credit program: provides up to a 40% tax credit Research & Development for Louisiana businesses (based on employment) • Must have incurred federal Tax Credit that conduct research and development activities expenses and/or received SBIR/STTR grant(s) in Louisiana

Sound Recording Tax credit program: provides a 25% refundable tax credit on qualified expenditures for sound recording • Must spend at least $15,000 in Louisiana Investor Tax Credit productions

Tax credit program: provides a 25% tax credit on • Must be a digital interactive media production in Louisiana Digital Media Incentive qualified production expenditures and a 35% tax credit • Excludes largely static sites and products regulated for Louisiana resident labor expenditures under the Louisiana Gaming Control Law

Tax credit program: provides a tax credit of 30% on Motion Picture qualified production expenditures and an additional 5% • Must spend at least $300,000 on motion picture production Investor Tax Credit tax credit for Louisiana resident labor expenditures in Louisiana

Tax credit program: provides a tax credit of up to 25% Live Performance on qualified production or infrastructure development • Must spend at least $100,000 on live performance Looking Forward: Tax Credit expenditures; additional credits available for payroll and production or infrastructure projects in Louisiana transportation expenditures

Workforce development program: provides workforce • Any manufacturing, digital media, corporate headquarters, ’ Louisiana FastStart™ recruitment, screening and training to new and and distribution, research and development or other LOUISIANA S expanding Louisiana companies at no cost strategic facility must commit to creating at least 15 jobs • Service providers must commit to creating at least 50 jobs

Loan/grant program: provides funding for publicly • Must be a public or quasi-public state entity requesting MODERNIZATION TAX CREDIT Economic Development owned infrastructure in support of business a minimum of $50,000 Award Program development projects • Must create or retain at least 10 permanent jobs in Louisiana ouisiana’s new Modernization Tax Credit, the first of other LED programs to help upgrade its Orleans and Tax credit program: provides 40% refundable tax credit its kind in the nation, offers manufacturers incen- St. Tammany parishes facilities. Technology • Must commercialize a technology developed in Louisiana Commercialization Credit on costs related to the commercialization of Louisiana • Must partner with a Louisiana higher education institute or tives to invest in their in-state facilities. technology and a 6% payroll rebate for the creation of L and Jobs Program new direct jobs be a governmental research institution The company’s expansion will retain 450 jobs and create • Must improve entire facility’s or specific unit’s efficiency The tax credit will help ensure the future competitiveness 120 new, indirect jobs, along with a $69 million capital Tax credit program: provides a 5% refundable state tax credit by 10% or more or Modernization Tax Credit for manufacturers modernizing or upgrading existing • Facility must be in competition for capital expenditures within of Louisiana’s manufacturing sector by providing a 5 investment in its Louisiana facilities. facilities in Louisiana a company’s established capital expenditure budget plan percent refundable state tax credit on capital expenditures to upgrade existing Louisiana manufacturing facilities. As companies continue to look for ways to increase Special Incentives for Small Businesses Any investments made in the facility must boost a site’s efficiency, the Modernization Tax Credit gives recently Program Name Benefit Eligibility (not comprehensive) efficiency by at least 10 percent, or the facility must merged companies and in-state firms with sites in other Small Business Loan assistance program: provides up to 75% loan • Must be a Louisiana small business (as defined by SBA) be in competition for investments within a company’s states a powerful reason to choose Louisiana for guarantees or state direct loan participations up to 40% Loan Program to facilitate capital accessibility • Must have a business plan and a willing to fund the loan competitive capital expenditure budget. expansion or consolidation. Loan assistance program: provides up to 80% loan guarantee Micro Loan Program and state direct loan participations up to 50% for banks that • Must be a Louisiana small business (as defined by SBA) “It can be very lucrative to a company looking to expand or fund loans of $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses upgrade its facilities,” said Tommy Kurtz, executive director Folgers received a $2.1 million tax Loan assistance program: provides up to 25% loan • Must be certified in Small and Emerging Business of Louisiana Economic Development’s award-winning Bonding guarantee for qualifying small contractors bidding on Development Program Assistance Program private or public jobs • Must complete Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute Business Expansion and Retention Group. credit through the program, or have LED waiver Provides veteran-owned and disabled, service-oriented in addition to $3 million veteran-owned small businesses with greater potential • Must be a veteran or disabled, service-oriented veteran Folgers, a subsidiary of The J.M. Smucker Co., offers a case Veteran Initiative • Must be certified by LED, a Louisiana resident and have fewer for access to state procurement and public contract than 50 full-time employees in point. Folgers received a $2.1 million tax credit through in relocation costs and $500,000 in opportunities the program, in addition to $3 million in relocation costs infrastructure improvements. Tax credit program: provides up to $50,000 in tax credits per Mentor-Protégé year for participating large construction firms that provide • Must be certified active in SEBD program or registered in the and $500,000 in infrastructure improvements provided by Tax Credit technical assistance to protégé construction firms state’s Hudson Initiative Program (protégé firm)

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LOUISIANA’S INCENTIVES, CALL 225.342.5675.

28 29 EQ Q2 | 2010 LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY Louisiana’s Economic Development REGIONS & PARTNERS Louisiana has an extensive network of economic development organizations and allies MONROE dedicated to helping our communities attract, grow and maintain business in our state.

1. Bayou Region 5. Southwest Region • Lake Providence Port Commission • Assumption Chamber of Commerce • Chennault International Airport Authority • Monroe Chamber of Commerce • Chamber of Lafourche and the Bayou Region • City of Lake Charles Planning and Economic • Morehouse Economic Development Commission • Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce Development Department • Rayville Economic Development 8 • Tensas Revitalization Alliance 7 • Lafourche Parish Economic Development • DeQuincy Chamber of Commerce • South Central Industrial Association • DeQuincy Economic Commission • Union Parish Chamber of Commerce SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER • St. Mary Chamber of Commerce • Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce • West Carroll Parish Chamber of Commerce BATON ROUGE • St. Mary Economic Development • Greater DeRidder Area Chamber of Commerce • West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber • St. Mary Industrial Group • Greater Jennings Chamber of Commerce of Commerce • Terrebonne Economic Development Authority • Jeff Davis Parish Office of Economic • Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce Development 8. Northwest Region 6 • Arcadia/Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce • Jennings Main Street 2. Southeast Region • Kinder Louisiana Chamber of Commerce • Bossier Chamber of Commerce ALEXANDRIA • Jefferson Parish Economic Development • Lake Charles Downtown Development Authority • Caddo-Bossier Port Commission Commission • Lake Charles Regional Airport • City of Natchitoches Economic • Plaquemines Association of Business & Industry • Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce Development Commission NEW ORLEANS • St. Bernard Parish Economic • Sulphur Industrial Development Board • Claiborne Chamber of Commerce 2 Development Foundation • The Chamber/SWLA • DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce 3 • St. Charles Parish Department of Economic • Greater Bossier Economic • The Port of Lake Charles 5 Development & • West Calcasieu Port, Harbor and Development Foundation • St. James Parish Department of Terminal District • Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce HOUMA/THIBODAUX 4 Economic Development • Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce • St. John the Baptist Parish Department of 6. Central Region • Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development • Alexandria Central Economic • North Webster Chamber of Commerce LAKE CHARLES • St. Tammany Economic Development Development District • Red River Parish Chamber of Commerce Foundation • Alexandria/Pineville Convention and • Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce 1 • Tangipahoa Economic Development Foundation Visitors Bureau • Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce LAFAYETTE • Washington Economic Development Foundation • Alexandria Regional Port Authority • Avoyelles Parish Port Commission 3. Capital Region • Cenla Advantage In addition to working with these organizations, • Ascension Economic Development Corporation • Central Louisiana Business Incubator LED regularly works with municipalities, parishes, • City of Baton Rouge/East Baton Rouge Parish • Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce police juries and utilities on economic development REGION REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION REGIONAL HUB • East Feliciana Parish Economic Development • Concordia Economic & Industrial initiatives. • Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce Development Board 1. BAYOU South Louisiana Economic Council Houma/Thibodaux • Iberville Chamber of Commerce • Concordia Parish Chamber of Commerce Statewide partners include: • Livingston Economic Development Council • England Economic and Industrial • American Electric Power/Southwestern Electric Power Company 2. SOUTHEAST Greater New Orleans Inc. New Orleans • St. Helena Parish Economic Development Development District Committee • Greater Alexandria Economic • Association of Louisiana • West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce Development Authority Electric 3. CAPITAL Baton Rouge Area Chamber Baton Rouge • West Feliciana Parish Community • Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce • Center for Lean Excellence Development Foundation • LaSalle Economic Development District • Cleco Corp. 4. ACADIANA Acadiana Economic Development Council Lafayette • North Rapides Business and Industry Alliance • Entergy Louisiana Economic Development 4. Acadiana Region • O.U.T.S.: Olla, Urania, Tullos, Standard • Louisiana Association of Planning and Development Districts 5. SOUTHWEST Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Partnership Lake Charles • Crowley Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Board • Greater Abbeville-Vermilion Chamber • Pineville Downtown Development District • Louisiana Business Incubation Association of Commerce • The Rapides Foundation • Louisiana Industrial Development 6. CENTRAL Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance Alexandria • Iberia Industrial Development Foundation • Winn Economic and Industrial District Executives Association • Lafayette Economic Development Authority • Louisiana Municipal Association 7. NORTHEAST Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance Monroe • Louisiana Immersive Technologies 7. Northeast Region • Louisiana Small Business Development Enterprise • Bernice Industrial Development Corporation Center Network • St. Landry Parish Economic Industrial • Caldwell Parish Industrial Development Board • Manufacturing Extension Partnership 8. NORTHWEST North Louisiana Economic Partnership Shreveport/Bossier Development District • Franklin Economic Development Foundation of Louisiana • St. Martin Economic Development Authority • Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce • Police Jury Association of Louisiana • Jackson Parish Economic Development • Ports Association of Louisiana • LA Delta 65 Inc. • Procurement Technical Assistance Center

EQ, Louisiana Economic Quarterly®, is published four times a year by Louisiana Economic Development, 30 31 1051 North Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5239. Paid for with public funds provided by the people of EQ Q2 | 2010 Louisiana. Please contact us at 225.342.3000 or [email protected]. © 2010 Louisiana Economic Development LOUISIANA ECONOMIC QUARTERLY 1 Louisiana FastStart™ was recognized as the nation’s best workforce program by Business Facilities magazine.

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT LOUISIANA MAY SURPRISE YOU. 1 1 Louisiana was ranked The Center for Public first in jobs and capital Integrity ranked Louisiana investment in the No. 1 for its ethics South by Southern Business & disclosure laws. Development magazine.

There are a number of reasons to consider Louisiana. Find out more at OpportunityLouisiana.com.