Business News

Louisiana’s workforce development agency has a new $7 million initiative that businesses from across the state can take advantage of. According to  Louisiana Works , the Workforce Outcomes and Reimbursement for Key Sectors (WORKS) Training Fund addresses the need for skilled workers throughout the state. It’s supported through a national initiative.  “This is about helping employers solve real workforce challenges, right now,” said Louisiana Works Secretary Susana Schowen. “W

For decades, Louisiana has quietly played a central role in America’s space program. Now, as commercial space companies look to expand, the state has a real opportunity to turn that legacy into a competitive advantage—and Gov. Jeff Landry is right to aggressively make that case. Louisiana isn’t trying to build an aerospace industry from scratch. It already has one. NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans has been the backbone of American rocket manufacturing for more

For most Louisianans, the debate happening in Washington over cryptocurrency regulation can feel distant. But the outcome will have very real consequences — especially for the community banks that power local economies across the state. As Congress works toward advancing the CLARITY Act, one of the most important provisions taking shape is a bank-friendly approach to stablecoin regulation. That matters more than it might seem. Stablecoins are often described as digital dollar

A new report from the LSU Center for Energy Studies makes one thing clear: carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) isn’t just an environmental discussion in Louisiana—it’s a major economic opportunity. Based on publicly announced projects and existing industrial capacity, the report outlines what a full CCS buildout could mean for the state’s economy, workforce, and long-term industrial competitiveness. At the center of the analysis are 13 announced projects  across Louisiana

This piece was written in response to an article in the Wall Street Journal linked here. While the FDA continues to navigate challenging headlines pointing to organizational problems and widespread criticism, one area within the agency stands out. Over the past year, the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has become a notable bright spot—delivering real results for an agency working through significant institutional challenges. The CTP has been responsive to industry ex

A revealing moment during the Louisiana House Commerce Committee’s March 18 hearing made one thing unmistakably clear: political opposition to carbon capture is no longer a theoretical debate—it is costing Louisiana real projects, real jobs, and real investment. And in Beauregard Parish, that cost has already been paid. Testifying on House Bill 670, Louisiana Economic Development’s Chief Business Development Officer Paige Carter delivered a striking example. A confidential co

Louisiana holds one of the richest energy portfolios on Earth: abundant resources, unmatched ports, a proven workforce, and a strategic position at the crossroads of global trade. We should be the undisputed leader in America's energy story. Instead, we are locked in a defensive battle over our own backyard. A new Pelican Institute report, Barriers to Louisiana Energy Dominance , cuts straight to the core issues: outdated policies, regulatory uncertainty, runaway litigation,

For Louisiana businesses, the homeowners insurance crisis is no longer just a household issue — it is a workforce issue, a housing issue, and increasingly, an economic development issue. Governor Jeff Landry’s recent request that the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation (LWCC) explore committing a portion of its excess reserves to help fund fortified roofs signals a recognition that insurance affordability and economic competitiveness are directly connected. Louisiana’

By Rajesh P. Narayanan | Professor of finance, Louisiana State University After months of bipartisan negotiations, Congress continues to debate crypto market structure legislation, though questions remain whether common sense investor protections will be included in a new federal framework for digital assets. These proposals address fundamental questions aimed at providing needed clarity for digital asset markets, including around agency jurisdiction, and trust and confidence

Speaking Wednesday to the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge,  Louisiana Chemical Association  President and CEO David Cresson discussed the “hard truths” facing the state’s chemical industry—rampant litigation, high insurance costs and workforce shortages among them. But the point he spent the most time on was his desire to push back against what he described as “misinformation” about Louisiana’s industrial corridor, misinformation he said has tainted public opinion of one of the ke

Cohab executive director Jessica Schiele says at least once a month  in their CEO Roundtable group,  a business leader says “I thought only I was dealing with that.” That is rarely the case, she says, and it's one of the ways the CEO program can help. Over the next month, Louisiana Economic Development will take applications for its 2026 CEO program and they are looking for candidates.  Similar to the famous Las Vegas commercial, Schiele says conversations between the CEOs st

NEW ORLEANS (WAFB) - John Miller, founder of the Country Club of Louisiana, is pitching investors on acquiring Spirit Airlines and establishing a hub in New Orleans. Miller’s annoucement comes as the airline’s stock trades at less than 3 cents per share. Miller said the proposal would boost Louisiana businesses and tax revenue by attracting visitors who would not otherwise come to the state. “If somebody is visiting Louisiana and visiting New Orleans and they would have absol