We had a full room for our recent State of Economic Development Breakfast, where leaders got an inside look at Louisiana’s bold approach to growth. Attendees heard from Susan Bourgeois, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, in conversation with Russell Richardson of St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation. Together, they shared how Louisiana is rethinking economic development—with a focus on speed, alignment and results.
Key takeaways from the conversation included:
- A major project moved from initial conversation to contract in just eight months—a strong signal that Louisiana can compete when it moves with urgency.
- A new $150 million site investment fund is aimed at creating shovel-ready sites across the state, designed to drive both immediate impact and long-term growth.
- Stronger alignment across partners—from the Legislature and Public Service Commission to local and regional organizations, along with federal partners like the Army Corps of Engineers.
- A clear call to action for the private sector to help reshape the narrative and tell Louisiana’s growth story.
The message was clear: positioning Louisiana to win requires urgency, partnership, and a shared commitment to growth.
Thank you to DDG for sponsoring this important conversation.