2010 Annual Report - Baton Rouge Area Chamber

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2010 annual report
“Baton Rouge is the new economic
development rock star of the South.”
Southern Business and Development magazine
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6
It would
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dersta tem
time in B
ent for m
RAC’s h
istory. W
B a ton Ro
e ha ve co e to sa y tha t now
ug e with
mpleted T
is an exc
results th
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he Camp
iting
n Roug e
a t fa r ou
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the numb
BRAC ha
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ons in th
of the to opula tion ma rket;
e Un ited
p ten eco
and
S ta tes. T
Now, w e
no
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into The
five- yea r
ssive list.
Crea tive
ca pital c
Ca pital A
am
importan
g e n da , B R
t mission paign, with grea te
AC’s n ex
r expecta
. The Ag
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views wit
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nsive mee
nt of res n d commun ity lea
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six stra te
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ork, six
g ies a re:
a tion
• I nterna
tional D e
velopmen
• Entrepre
t
n eurship
a n d I nn o
• Global
va tion
B ran ding
• Talent D
evelopme
nt
• Reg iona
l Competi
tiven ess
Our abilit
y to suc
cessfull
results o
y pro duc
ver the n
e mean ing
ext
ensure th
ful an d m
a t the n in five yea rs will be
easurable
e-pa rish
crucial a
future. A
s w e co n
re
t the sam
g ion a tta
tinue to
ins a pos
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accompli
itive econ
sh this b time, w e fully rea
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lize tha t
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es. It w
in the B a
ill take a
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ton Roug
Ha ppily,
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the imme
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ry tells u
and we a
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20 11 is sh
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to be an
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l recogn iz a r. I am sure th
RAC’s an
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d the Ca
wa
pital Reg
ion’s futu s a turn ing po int
re.
7
Site Selection Magazine: April, 2010 Top 10 Economic Development Organizations in the U.S. for 2009
IN
REVIEW
ECONOMIC YEAR
SHOW
ROCK & ROLL
BIG
PORTFOLIO.COM
Milken Institute
October 2010
26TH BEST BEST-PERFOMING CITY 2010
Southern Business & Development
M A G A Z I N E
10TH BEST CITY FOR YOUNG ADULTS IN THE U.S.
M ARCH 2010
SOUTHERN BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT MAGAZINE
PORTFOLIO.COM
2nd Best Mid-Market of the Decade
2nd Best
APRIL 2010
Metro for
FORBE S
Small-Business
Vitality
2nd Best Mid-Sized City for Jobs
APRIL 2010
8
JULY 2010
11TH STRONGEST
2010 Mid-Market of the Year
JOB MARKET
Bloomberg Businessweek July 2010
Brookings Institution
JULY 2010
EQUIFA X
Top 15 U.S. Metro Area
with the Fewest Small
Business Bankruptcies
Quarters 1, 2, 3 & 4, 2010
TOP 20 LIST OF STRONGEST ECONOMIC METROS IN THE U.S.
September
2010
PORTFOLIO.COM
October 2010
2nd Best with 25 Years of Income Growth
MANPOWER INC. Strongest Expected Job Market in the Nation December 2010
9
2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 3
B AT O N
R O U G E
A R E A
Workforce Issues continue to be the number one concern
of business leaders. Tax rates, however, has supplanted
transportation was the second biggest concern.
PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS IN A
SURVEY OF REGIONAL BUSINESS LEADERS *
Major Business Concerns
2011 Response
Workforce / human resource issues
31%
Transportation / traffic issues
26%
Regulatory restrictions
26%
Infrastructure development delays
Baton Rouge area is sweet music to the ears of
RAPID OR MODERATE GROWTH IN:
the region’s business people. A strong economic
2011-2013
77%
comfortable investing here as the harmonic
22%
18%
28%
28%
19%
19%
13%
Material costs
13%
12%
Real estate / rental costs
12%
12%
Litigation costs
10%
10%
* Respondents were allowed to choose multiple answers
70%
sounds of success play in the foreground.
Not surprisingly based on past performance, the Capital
2011
85%
beat means that local companies can feel
24%
29%
Other
A predicted positive economic climate in the
38%
38%
Tax rates
Utilities / energy costs
2010 Response
61%
54%
46%
43%
Region business community remains optimistic about 2011,
43%
but they believe that the economy will be jammin’ over
the next three years. A large portion of business leaders
expect to see growth in some of the key indicators of
economic vitality: the general economy, revenue,
employment, and capital expenditures.
Economy
10
Revenue
Employment
Capital
Expenditures
11
THE CAMPAIGN FOR A GREATER BATON ROUGE was a five-year (2006-2010)
initiative that delivered a highly professional and proactive, nationally competitive
economic development program for the nine-parish Baton Rouge area. Funded by
more than 120 leading organizations, the campaign includes seven strategies that
work together to drive economic development:
12
1
Business Retention & Expansion Program
2
Business Attraction Program
3
National Marketing Program
4
Business Intelligence Program
5
Special Opportunity Fund
6
Public Policy Capability
7
Learning Community Initiative
13
Research and analysis continues to add credence to the fact that the vast majority of new jobs will be
created by the region’s existing firms. Due to this fact, BRAC has dedicated a significant portion of its
resources to business retention and expansion (BRE) efforts, because, to paraphrase Frankie Valli,
My Eyes Adore You.
In 2010, BRAC’s BRE activities resulted in ten project wins that secured 257 jobs. Equally important
was the $473 million in capital investment and $10 million in new payroll that were generated by
these projects. The projects consisted of a diverse range of industry sectors including manufacturing,
technology development, timber, and life sciences and occurred in four different parishes.
An important aspect of BRAC’s BRE strategy is one-on-one visits with company leadership. Due to
the national downturn, BRAC increased its BRE efforts to monitor any areas of risk. Over twelve
months, the business retention and expansion team completed 154 on-site visits both in-market
and with out-of-state headquarters with regional ties.
We were extremely excited to upgrade our economic development team with the hiring of Iain
Vasey as our new executive director of business development. Iain is responsible for leading all
aspects of BRAC’s business recruitment, retention, and expansion programs. He also manages our
business intelligence and regional collaboration efforts. Iain has close to twenty years worth of site
selection and economic development experience and led business development efforts in the cities
of Glendale, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada, among others.
In order to assist our regional partners, BRAC provided temporary business development services to the
Parish of West Feliciana as they transitioned between economic development leadership. Since May,
Rachel Pierson, BRAC’s Business Recruitment Manager, split her time between West Feliciana and her
other regional responsibilities.
14
15
R
ST
AT E G
Y 2
ness
recession, busi
e effects of the
th
ith
w
al
de
to
r positive
tr y continued
maintained thei
ve
ha
Whi le the coun
on
gi
re
e
in th
ght
oject w ins w ith
tion effor ts brou
development pr
r business at trac
ou
,
10
20
In
an
s.
secured, d
prev ious year
s, 52 5 jobs were
in
w
momentum of
e
os
th
of
e
caus
ely,
s to fr uition. Be
payrol l, respectiv
ten project w in
stment and new
ve
in
l
ta
pi
ca
in
d $2 0 m illion
$3 60 m illion an
was produced .
sectors
erging industry
ects was the em
oj
pr
n
io
ct
tra
at
g with Louisiana
ct of the 2010
ar ter, BR AC , alon
An exciting aspe
qu
nd
co
se
e
th
In
erce;
nies represented.
amber of Comm
that these compa
Rouge Parish Ch
n
to
Ba
t
es
W
.
e
th
Point Bio Energy
pment (LED);
e recr uitment of
Economic Develo
th
d
ce
un
no
an
e,
ts, an
eater Baton Roug
rer of wood pelle
and the Port of Gr
, is a manufactu
rt
po
e
th
at
d
te
mes, a leader in
will be loca
ber, Firebrand Ga
m
Point Bio, which
ce
De
In
.
ce
ur
so
udio at
fuel-generation
a digital media st
alternative energy
agreed to locate
s,
em
st
sy
do
en
uge area adds
mes for Nint
into the Baton Ro
y
creating racing ga
tr
en
d’s
an
br
Fire
chnology Park .
media presence.
the Louisiana Te
grow ing digital
’s
on
gi
re
e
th
to
y
ac
further legitim
16
17
18
19
T
he key to ensuring a successful
concert tour is good promotion. The
same thing is true for marketing the region.
With the Baton Rouge area’s economic
prowess being reinforced through numerous
rankings, it is important that BRAC leverage
that publicity through aggressive marketing
efforts. This is especially true as we build
site-selection consultants and relocation
executives’ perception of the region.
with the construction of
that positive perception, the BRAC
Business Development team spent an
extensive amount of time attending trade shows and
conferences throughout the year. This varied list included the
Southern Economic Development Conference, Expansion
Management’s Roundtable in the Rockies, the Industrial Asset
Management Council show, the Area Development Consultants
Forum, LOGIN, E3, the CORENET conference, and the Area
Development Conference & Forum. Each one of these events
focused on a specific industry or industries that aligned with
20
BRAC’s targeted industry strategy.
In early 2010, the business development team attended
was the annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) in
San Francisco. In addition to hosting a VIP event, BRAC
along with East Baton Rouge (EBR) Mayor-President Kip
Holden and the Baton Rouge Area Digital Industries
Consortium (BRADIC) leadership team held pre-arranged
meetings with digital media industry executives. The
recruitment of Firebrand Games to the Baton Rouge
area resulted from the meetings with executives.
As part of its regional marketing award grant
AUSTIN, TX
In order to assist
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
3:
STRATEGY
BRACTOUR
2010
BRAC took advantage of some traditional marketing
vehicles to promote the area. The publications included Trade
and Industry Development magazine, Site Selection
magazine, Business Facilities magazine, and The Wall Street
Journal, where a free-standing insert (FSI) was included in
specific market issues that have a high volume of digital
media companies. BRAC also leveraged paid search and
online advertising opportunities on sites such as Google™.
Finally, BRADIC distributed 3,000 FSIs to attendees of the
Game Developers Conference – Online in Austin, Texas.
from LED, BRAC initiated an e-mail marketing
campaign to selected companies in targeted industry
sectors. The first two sectors chosen were digital media and
corporate headquarters/back office services. The companies were
selected by analyzing a host of data that indicated those that have
a high-probability of relocating or expanding in the region.
It was also important for BRAC to have key decision makers
personally visit the Baton Rouge area. In 2010, we hosted a number
of “familiarization” tours that were designed to highlight the region’s
strengths through short visits. Executives that participated in the tours
focused on industrial site location consultants and venture capitalists.
21
Having the ability to put the right cords together with the right
words is a gift. Having the ability to provide companies the data
necessary to make thoughtful, timely decisions is a gift as well.
In most cases, BRAC’s business intelligence capabilities are the
most useful aspect that we can bring to a project, whether it be
a retention, expansion, or attraction project. This intelligence is
also valuable for our public policy work.
A large portion of BRAC business intelligence efforts were focused
on three projects in 2010. In the first quarter, the 2nd annual
CityStats report was released. This multi-year enterprise between
BRAC and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation is designed to evaluate
the region’s progress across fifty quality of life indicators, covering
topics such as the economy, recreation, public health, transportation,
education, and civic participation. BRAC’s role is to collect data on the
indicators in the report, analyze the data collected through surveying,
and assist in the preparation of the final report.
It is not unusual for a major business development project to take six
to nine months until it comes to fruition. It is equally not unusual for
the business intelligence team to be needed to uncover a significant
amount of information during that entire time. One such project
came into existence last year. Much of the work included collecting
data for education/graduation rates; housing prices and availability;
workforce; talent development; and much more and was all
needed to respond to the requests of a prospect.
In the latter part of the year, BRAC oversaw a workforce
analysis and labor availability report for the Capital Region.
Working with The Pathfinders Group, an analysis was
constructed to quantify the number of underemployed
in the region by occupation and industry with a
special sub-section report on the characteristics of
manufacturing employment.
22
23
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OPPORTUNITY
24
25
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For the Baton Rouge area to reach its economic development potential,
the competitiveness of our regional economy must be given as much
attention as our business development efforts.
One of the most important pieces of work that BRAC undertook during
2010 was the completion and release of the regional innovation strategy
(RIS). The goal of the RIS is to identify the needed steps for the Baton
Rouge area to take in order to create an environment that fosters
innovation and entrepreneurship. The strategy was developed in
cooperation with LED, LSU, the Louisiana State University System
Research and Technology Foundation, the Research Park Corporation, and
Southern University.
One key recommendation from the RIS was the creation of a regional
innovation organization which became part of BRAC’s new five-year
plan. The organization is designed to develop partnerships with
entrepreneurial individuals at large companies, university researchers,
and critical-service providers.
Higher education reform was another of BRAC’s top priorities. To reinforce
this belief, we helped form a coalition of more than forty business groups
from across the state in support of specific reform measures. The
coalition, called BILD (Businesses for Improving Louisiana’s Development):
26
Higher Education, aggressively pursued a number of improvements to
help the state’s higher education system improve its graduation levels.
These efforts produced the passage of the Louisiana Granting Resources
and Autonomy for Diplomas Act (LA GRAD Act), which provides
much-needed resources to the state’s higher education institutions and
will lead to performance improvements, appropriate enrollment shifts,
and other important reforms. For LSU, for example, the LA GRAD Act may
be the most important tool for competing as a premier public research
university, a BRAC priority since our research paper in 2007.
Throughout the year, BRAC worked on other issues that are pivotal in the
region’s quest to attain a positive economic future. Those issues included
participating in a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event held in Washington,
D.C. dedicated to generating support for the defeat of the Employee Free
Choice Act or “card-check” bill. BRAC was actively involved in the design of
a new East Baton Rouge (EBR) Workforce Investment Board (WIB)
strategy that led to the crafting of a dynamic and interminable workforce
development system and the selection of a new administrative director.
Listening to the concerns of the Baton Rouge area’s small business
community, we undertook a six-month analysis of the credit climate in
the region that culminated with an event that highlighted the access to
credit for small businesses.
BRAC priorities during the legislative session of 2010 targeted the
organization’s strategic objectives. Besides the afore-mentioned higher
education reforms, we were able to secure $24 million to develop a true
university research park at LSU’s South Campus. Transportation concerns
continued to be an issue of focus. Our work assisted in the commitment of
$59 million for BRAC-supported regional traffic congestion-relief projects,
including the widening of I-12 and I-10 and the Pecue Lane interchange,
bringing the three-year total funding for these priorities to $266 million.
Other legislative victories were the creation of a mechanism by which local
communities could participate in the development of a high-speed rail line
between New Orleans and Baton Rouge; a potential new mass transit
funding source for the Capital Area Transit System (CATS); economic
development project funding in the LouisianaMega-Project Development
Fund, the Rapid Response Fund, and LED’s Regional Awards and Matching
Grant Program; and the passage of an important development financing
vehicle for Baton Rouge’s River Park Development District.
27
At the core of any economic development program is the ability to produce a dynamic
and educated workforce. And like the different options on a jukebox, there are many
avenues that can be taken to accomplish this goal. The keys are high-quality education
institutions and sustainable, cutting-edge workforce training programs.
An important aspect of BRAC’s efforts over the last twelve
months has been the creation of a career education center
that would align K-12 education, the Louisiana Community
and Technical College System (LCTCS), and the Capital
Region’s workforce needs. Such a center moved closer to
becoming a reality when we worked with the Louisiana
Resource Center for Educators (LRCE) to create the Career
Academy Charter School. The EBR School Board approved
the charter school application and, the academy is expected
to begin accepting students in 2011.
BRAC and FuturePAC, BRAC’s political action committee,
were actively engaged in the EBR School Board elections
from the recruitment of candidates to targeted messaging
in key districts. The election secured five FuturePACendorsed candidates on the board. Following the election,
BRAC continued to emphasize the importance of reforms,
calling for a new community-led strategic plan for the
school system.
All of BRAC’s learning community initiatives have been
focused on one thing—increasing student achievement.
Keeping that in mind, we engaged the Council for a
Better Louisiana to perform an analysis of the East Baton
Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) in connection
28
with our EBR School Board activities. The analysis determined that while the system has some bright spots, it is, by
and large, being outperformed by most of the state’s
school systems.
As has been the case for the last couple of years, public
education reform remained a crucial part of BRAC’s
legislative priorities. Legislative victories included the
elimination of school system staff micromanagement by
board members in personnel matters; measures aimed at
increasing teacher performance and accountability
through evaluations and incentives linked to student
achievement; and the decision to allow schools and
districts to apply for four-year waivers of state laws or
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)
policies, if they commit to certain reforms priorities.
BRAC continued to be an instrumental supporter of the
Greater Baton Rouge Literacy Coalition. In 2010, the
coalition began implementing a $375,000 program,
funded by federal and local sources, which will better
align the region’s literacy programs with critical
workforce needs. The outcome will be more nationally
accredited literacy programs that are better oriented
toward workforce-demand needs.
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FUTU
RE PAC
WIT
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HB
CO
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M
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MIT TEE
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I
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S PO
“Flower Power” may have been a powerful force back in its day,
but today’s political dynamic demands a different tact. It must be a tact that includes
a strong political action committee (PAC) to oversee an organization’s advocacy strategy.
BRAC’s PAC, FuturePAC, actively served its mission to support issues and candidates that promote economic development
in the Baton Rouge area in 2010. Having maintained its “Big PAC” status (250+ members) since 2006, the committee was able
to contribute twice the amount of contributions as regular PACs to candidates it chose to endorse.
Understanding that strong leadership plays a significant role in fostering a quality education system, FuturePAC committed to
recruiting and supporting candidates for the EBR School Board. After the election of five FuturePAC-endorsed candidates to the
school board at the end of the third quarter, one of those candidates went on to be selected by her peers to serve as president.
Prior to the election, FuturePAC developed a strategic reform agenda for EBRPSS that focuses on student achievement and school
accountability. School board candidates had to agree to support the agenda prior to endorsement. BRAC will promote the agenda in
order to encourage local stakeholders to accept its tenets, and FuturePAC will work closely with the new leadership in the coming year
to continue the momentum it has realized during 2010.
FuturePAC continued to support candidates and elected officials in the legislature who are aligned with BRAC in their support of
25
30
key economic development priorities. These efforts remain critical to our legislative-engagement activities on important issues like
education, transportation, and economic development funding.
31
ttending a rock concert is more than just going to hear some music, it’s a
cultural–perhaps life changing event. Similarly, BRAC events are for more than just
social interaction. They find the right balance of entertainment and “brain food.”
Whether it is to reinforce our work or providing data so area businesses can
operate effectively, we always try to be strategic with our events.
BRAC IMPACT 2010: MOMENTUM
Created as a living, breathing annual report, BRAC Impact’s goal is to recap
the past year’s work in humorous way. The 2010 edition was presented
under the pretense of a television network’s season kickoff event where
new shows were introduced. With the overarching theme of BRAC’s
momentum, attendees were able to celebrate the organization’s successful
results; honor the board, partners, and investors; and view the next year’s
priorities. Hosted by multi-faceted entertainer Jamie Wax, the night was
a great time to revel in past success and look excitedly into the future.
BATON ROUGE AREA CANVAS WORKSHOP
The Baton Rouge Area Canvas Workshop is designed to explore and learn
from a variety of regions in the U.S. with the hope of learning important
lessons from these communities that will help us map out the future of our
region. It would be difficult to find a region in the United States that has
witnessed a transformation as dramatic as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This
transformation, as well as its locale as a river city, made it a perfect Baton
Rouge Area Canvas Workshop destination. From a steel center to an area
economy now built on knowledge and innovation, Pittsburgh is a model for
how to transform one’s economic fortunes. As always, Canvas provided a
mirror in which to see the challenges and opportunities of our own area
reflected through another community’s choices and actions in key topic
areas. Attendees witnessed improvements in the areas of entrepreneur
development, private-sector/university collaborative innovation, public
education reform, and sustainability and neighborhood redevelopment.
SECOND HOME LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION
Each year, BRAC, along with Mayor Holden, hosts a welcome party for
the members of the Louisiana Legislature on the first day of the
legislative session. Known as the Second Home Legislative
Reception, the event is an opportunity for community
leaders to interact with legislators from across the
state. The informal gathering has come to be the unofficial
kickoff to the session’s activities.
32
(INNO)STATE: LOUISIANA’S
INNOVATION SUMMIT
The Capital Region’s continued progression to an economy built on
innovation dictated that BRAC create an event that celebrates this
progression. (Inno)State: Louisiana’s Innovation Summit, which occurred
for the first time last year, does just that. The 2010 event consisted of
local entrepreneurs discussing the paths that they undertook to reach
their level of success. They were joined by Richard Miller from the
National Association of Seed and Venture Funds and Matt Camp from the
Initiative for a Competitive Inner City.
BATON ROUGE AREA CHAMBER’S
ECONOMIC FORUM
Despite the lingering effects of the recession on the minds of
many, Baton Rouge area business leaders are optimistic
about 2011. This feeling was conveyed at BRAC’s annual
Economic Forum held in November. BRAC, in conjunction
with the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, conducts
a region-wide survey of businesses to gauge their view
of the next twelve, thirty-six, and sixty months
with the results presented at the
forum. Along with forecasts on job
growth, housing, industry expansion, and
more relevant data, attendees heard from
Samuel Leiken, vice president of the Council on
Competitiveness in Washington, D.C., who
provided a world view of the economic
climate and what leaders should expect
in the future.
33
BR
AC
:T
op
10
in
U.
S
&
usic or the
e love of the m
th
r
fo
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b
it
er
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every musicia
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e same.
honored just th
be
to
t
ea
gr
,
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is, howev
AC strives to
fore them, BR
be
ts
ea
gr
ck
Like the ro
t-quality work. In
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ut
rib
st
di
d
an
e
so hope to
produc
e results, but al
tiv
si
po
ct
pe
ex
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ition.
doing that, w
ent and recogn
em
dg
le
ow
kn
ac
ty
ed awards
receive third-par
receive six esteem
to
d
re
no
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er
or
In 2010, we w
unications and/
rnational comm
te
in
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an
l
ns
na
tio
tio
from na
related organiza
ic developmentom
on
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r/
be
am
ch
blications.
and national pu
34
the
easurement is
ate form of m
tim
ul
’s
a
AC
d,
BR
te
crea
While
d the new wealth
an
d
re
cu
se
bs
be
number of jo
as to eventually
ternal, metric w
in
gh
ou
th
y,
te
ar
p
e’s to n
second
lection magazin
Se
te
Si
of
e
on
d
recognized as
ns in the Unite
ent organizatio
pm
lo
ve
de
in
ic
az
e mag e
econom
in April when th
al
go
at
th
d
he
States. It reac
r our success in
inguished list fo
st
di
is
th
in
us
a specific
included
es not designate
do
g
in
nk
ra
e
th
,
2009. Although
gories: new jobs
ur objective cate
fo
on
d
se
ba
,
is
nt
it
ou
t am
position,
s, new investmen
nt
de
si
re
00
,0
new jobs per 10
nts, as well as
r 10,000 reside
pe
t
en
m
st
ve
in
adership,
and new
g innovation, le
in
ud
cl
in
,
es
ut
ib
ic
subjective attr
e first econom
e. BRAC is th
ic
rv
se
er
om
th
st
ceive e
and cu
m Louisiana to re
fro
n
tio
za
ni
ga
development or
er regions also
ther much-larg
O
.
04
20
e
nc
delphia,
honor si
e Pittsburgh, Phila
ud
cl
in
n
io
ct
in
st
receiving this di
, and Dallas.
Chicago, Houston
.
Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC)
Communication Awards
BRAC’s 2009 Annual Report – Superior
Catalyst (Second Quarter 2009) – Superior
BRADIC Digital Media Brochure and Case Study – Excellent
BRAC’s 2010 Agenda – Excellent
International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
International Economic Development Council Awards
BRADIC Direct Marketing Piece – Honorable Mention
brac
35
ith every generation, the music giant of the past is overtaken by the “next great thing.” In similar fashion, the
end of 2010 marks the end of The Campaign for a Greater Baton Rouge. While the Campaign was extremely
successful, there is no time for BRAC to relish in its accomplishments. In order to maintain the positive
momentum, we must continue to push forward. In November, BRAC unveiled The Campaign for a Greater
Baton Rouge’s successor, The Creative Capital Agenda. The Agenda is designed to build on the success of the past
five years with a set of strategies focused on wealth creation throughout the nine-parish Baton Rouge area.
The following list outlines the six strategies that will guide our work through The Creative Capital Agenda.
JOB C R E AT ION
Actively seek to retain and attract high-growth companies in the digital media, alternative energy, wood products,
manufacturing, and life sciences sectors.
IN T E R N AT ION A L DE V E LOP ME N T
Aggressively position the area as an appealing option for multinational corporations seeking major foreign
direct investment (FDI) opportunities in the U.S.
36
E N T R E P R E NE UR S HIP A ND INNO VAT ION
Be the driving force behind a new regional innovation organization tasked with identifying opportunities in the current
service-delivery system to improve support for entrepreneurial growth companies.
GLOB A L BR A NDING
Establish the Baton Rouge area as the Creative Capital of the South® through a comprehensive branding
campaign, positioning it as an innovative, highly distinctive market that boasts an eclectic mixture of cultural
destinations and thriving industries.
TA L E N T DE V E LOP ME N T
Lead the effort to attract, develop, and retain human capital to meet the needs of businesses relocating
and expanding to the region.
R EGION A L C OMP E T I T I V E NE S S
Address high-priority competitiveness factors to make the Baton Region area an attractive
location in which to do business and to secure its ability to attract and retain firms.
37
Officers
Robert Burgess, Chair
man
Matt McKay, Past Ch
air, All Star Automo
tive Group
Scott Wester, Chair
Elect, Our Lady of
the Lake Medical Cen
ter
Adam Knapp, Baton
Rouge Area Chamber
Pat Felder, Secretary,
Felder's Collision Pa
rts, Inc.
Kevin Kelty, Treasurer,
JP Morgan Chase
Mike Hunt, General Co
unsel, Phelps Dunbar
LLP
Board of Directors
Jim Austin, Adam s and Reese
Inc.
Robert Belk, The Shaw Group,
Sandy Breland, WAFB/WBXH
g Company United, Inc.
Darian Chustz, Coca-Cola Bottlin
ish News
Jeff M. David, The Livingston Par
Community College
Dr. Myrtle Dorsey, Baton Rouge
rs
Chester Diez, Southwest Compute
s
Vice Chair
38
Demo
Affairs
egislative
L
,
ux
ea
im
Russel Pr Law Firm
r
s
Kean Mille
es
in
mall Bus
S
,
ortation
n
li
k
an
gy, Transp
n
o
S
Perry Fr
l
s
ae
ie
h
Mic
Industr
nnovation
Franklin
n
CSRS
uchamp, I t
o
ea
is
ia
B
L
ui
q
al
Jac
ouge
Region
inmen
,
ta
r
ey
v
te
n
ar
E
H
Baton R
Leroy
n Spain,
Nerjyzed
h
o
k
J
an
B
dation
Mobil
Highlands
Area Foun
me, Exxon
Steve Blu
,
e
olman
t, At Larg
ge
William H elopment
ter Rob Stuar Bank
dy, A,t Lar
en
n
ev
C
o
D
B
al
s
ic
es
id
ed
in
e
M
n
Dav
mp
Bus
Capital O
e General
rkers Co
aton Roug
LUBA Wo
B
rkforce
m
te
Toups, Wo roup, LLC
LSU Sys
ducation
E
i,
en
d
h
t,
p
ar
te
er
b
S
m
ev
G
en
Lo
ndustries
Scott Ch er
Dr. John
Turner I
k
e
g
ar
ic
L
t
A
Jones Wal
r.,
rgia-Pacif
Mayhall, J , & Wilson, LLP
oske, Geo
t Baton
an
ah
V
as
W
E
,
th
y
ts
se
ei
h
it
K
men
hor
, Sac
ion
Astrid Cle
inance Aut
Breazeale
Corporat
rtgage F
eau
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ur
M
B
e
it
ug
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ed
r
R
C
Liaison
l,
ie
Liaison
Regional
ation
ne McDan
e,
d
al
ay
al
n
un
L
W
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F
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d
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R
Cin
ole,
Roug
Bank
Sharon C
of Baton ata
Investar
al
ic
D
em
is
h
es
C
o
w
Do
and N
, Building
illips
Jim Ellis ter, Brooks, & Ph
r
o
P
,
r
Taylo
-Fin
al M
ix
Teri Fontenot, Woman s Hospital
Inc.
Terry Hill, Milton J. Womack,
Jeffrey Holeman, Entergy
n Consulting Group, LLC
Tim Johnson, The Tim Johnso
of Business
Dr. Eli Jones, E.J. Ourso College
l Bank
Barry Kilpatrick, Whitney Nationa
rg
Raymond Kron, Bank of Greenbu
DCO
Cornelius Lewis, Gulf Coast BI
ications
Dick Lewis, Clear Channel Commun
ersity and A & M College System
Dr. Ronald Mason, Southern Univ
s, Inc.
Julio Melara, Louisiana Busines
e Co.
Tim Mockler, Mockler Beverag
Board of Directors
Wade O Neal, Guaranty Bank and Trust Comp
any
Hays Owen, Baton Rouge Water Company
Ryland Percy, Percy, Stromberg, Bush, &
Lanoux
Rawlston “Bubba” Phillips, Sun Plus, Inc.
Clay Pinson, Massengale Grounds Manageme
nt, Inc.
Mathew “Butch” Plauche, Harry L. Laws & Comp
any
Sean Reilly, Lamar Advertising
Michael Reitz, Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Louisiana
Kevin Schexnayder, Whitney National Bank
Cynthia Stafford, East Bank Realt y
Steve Stein, Hancock Bank
Ralph Stephens, Postlethwaite & Netterville
Collis Temple, Harmony Center, Inc.
Ann Forté Trappey, Forte and Tablada
Mike Wampold, Wampold Companies
Mitch Wasden, Ochsner Medical Center –
Baton Rouge
Owen Weber, Louisiana Radio Network
Dr. Joe Ben Welch, River Parishes Comm
unity College
Luther “Buddy” Wells, All Star Automotive
pe
a
T
Mix
39
The Rubber House of Baton Rouge, Inc.
Tony’s Seafood, Ltd.
Turner Industries, LLC
Visit Baton Rouge
Wachovia Securities, LLC
WAFB-TV9
Wampold Companies
Woman’s Hospital
Young Men’s Christian
Association (YMCA)
10+ YEARS
50+ YEARS *
Airtrol, Inc.
Albemarle Corporation
Baton Rouge Beer Agency
Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge Tobacco Company, Inc.
Baton Rouge Water Company
Billy Heroman’s Flowerland, Inc.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Louisiana
Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP
Capital One Bank
Cocreham Brick & Stone, Inc.
Dermatology Clinic
Dixon Smith Interiors
Entergy Louisiana
Eye Medical Center
Franklin Press Direct Mail and Printing
Frost-Barber, Inc.
Greenoaks Memorial Park &
Funeral Home & Flower Shop
Hancock Bank
Kantrow, Spaht, Weaver & Blitzer, APLC
Kleinpeter Farms Dairy, L.L.C.
42
Louisiana Aircraft, Inc.
Manship Media
McArthur-Sanchez Associates
The Benefits Solution Group
Moody-Price, LLC.
Our Lady of the Lake Regional
Medical Center
Powers, Sellers, Mixon &
Chapoton, L.L.P.
Rabenhorst Funeral Home
State Roofing & Supply Company
The Dow Chemical Company
The Lamar Corporation
The Plumbing Warehouse/LCR
25+ YEARS
AAA Insurance/Travel
Agway Systems, Inc.
Aluminum Specialties
Manufacturing
American Red Cross
AT & T
Barker’s Antique Jewelry, Inc.
Baton Rouge Air Charter &
Management
Baton Rouge Apartment
Association
Baton Rouge Printing Company, Inc.
Beech Grove Management, Inc.
Beer Industry League of Louisiana
Bennett’s Bookkeeping, Inc.
Better Business Bureau of South
Central Louisiana
BFI Waste Services, LLC
Boh Brothers Construction
Company, LLC
Boy Scouts of America - Istrouma Council
Brown-Eagle Group, Inc.
BRPT-LAKE Rehabilitation Center
Burns & Company - DKS
Camelot Club
Campus Federal Credit Union
Capital Area United Way
Chase Suite Hotel by Woodfin
Clark W. Taylor, Inc.
CMC Rebar
Coleman Partners Architects, LLC
Cort Furniture Rental Corporation
Cox Communications
Dolese Bros. Company
Dr. Frank B. Wolfsheimer
Dugas Pest Control of Baton Rouge
Easterly Law Office
EMCO Technologies
ExxonMobil
Financial Consulting Services, Inc.
G.N. Gonzales, LLC
Girl Scouts Louisiana East
Gordon & Sandifer Auto Service, Inc.
Grady Crawford Construction Company
Group Insurance, Incorporated
H&E Equipment Services LLC
Hannis T. Bourgeois, L.L.P.
Harris, Deville & Associates
HNTB Corporation
Human Resource Management
Associates, Inc.
IES Industrial, Inc.
John L. Lowery & Associates
L. Graham Construction, LLC
La Capitol Federal Credit Union
LaPorte Sehrt Romig Hand
Lipsey’s, LLC
Lofton Staffing
Louisiana Art & Science Museum
Louisiana Business Inc.
Louisiana Dealer Services
Insurance, Inc.
Louisiana Health Care Alliance
Louisiana Motor Transport
Association
LSU - Agricultural Center Office
of the Chancellor
LSU System
Mary Frey Eaton
Noland & Wong An Architectural
Corporation
Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge
Owen & White, Inc.
Parish Water Company
Pennington Oil Company, Inc.
Performance Contractors, Inc.
Peterbilt of Louisiana
Petrin Corporation
Phyllis Perron & Associates, Inc.
Post Architects
PPC Mechanical Seals
Premiere Company
R. Gale Creed Co., Real Estate
Appraisers
Regions Bank
Resthaven Funeral Home &
Cemetery
Reulet Electric Supplies
School Aids
Southeastern Overhead Door
Company, Inc.
Southern Key Investments, Inc.
The Newtron Group, Inc.
* Length of BRAC Investment
A.G. Building Specialists, Inc.
AAA Air Conditioning Service of
Baton Rouge, Inc.
ABMB Engineers, Inc.
Acadian Ambulance Service
Ace Storage, Inc.
Acoustical Specialties & Supply, Inc.
ACS
Ad Specialties by Ken
Adams and Reese
Advanced Microelectronics, Inc.
Advanced Office Systems, Inc.
Advantage Personnel
Advantage Staffing
Air Compressor Energy Systems, Inc.
All Star Automotive Group
Allen & LeBlanc, Inc.
Allstate Insurance - Rosalind Campbell
American Audio Visual, LLC
American Cancer Society
American Construction &
Demolishing Co.
American Gateway Bank
American Rigging & Supply, Inc.
Ameriprise Financial
Appraisal Consultants
Arc Baton Rouge, The
Arkel International, Inc.
Arnold & Associates Interiors
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge
Audubon Elementary School
Auto Rebuild Center
Avant-Garde Consulting Service Inc.
AWC, Inc.
Baton Rouge Community College
Baton Rouge Door & Supply, Inc.
Baton Rouge Duplicating
Products
Baton Rouge Limousine Service, Inc.
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport
Baton Rouge Parents Magazine
Baton Rouge Press
Baton Rouge Raceway
Baton Rouge Symphony
Baton Rouge Telco Federal Credit Union
Baton Rouge Weekly Press Newspaper
Bayou Duplantier
Beathley Allstate Insurance
Bengal Products, Inc.
Berente Companies
BHA, Inc.
Big River Glass, Inc.
Blue Bell Creameries, LP
Borden Milk Product, LP
Boutin’s Restaurant, LLC
Bozeman Distributors
Bradley - Blewster & Associates
Buquet & LeBlanc, Inc.
Burns & Company, Inc., Realtors
C. J. Brown (A Latter & Blum Company)
C.J. Brown Realtors, LLC
CACRC - Capital Area Corporate
Recycling Council
Capital Region Builders
Association
Catholic High School
Cavin’s Auto Repair, LLC
Celebration Station
Center for Planning Excellence
Champion Graphics
Chef KD Louisiana Legends
Chesteen & Associates, LLC
Cintas Corporation
Citizens Bank & Trust Company
Classic Industrial Services, Inc.
CMA Technology Solutions
CoCo’s Flooring Covering
Coldwell Banker One
Coleman Brown Architects
Coles Flower & Garden Design
College Drive Mini Storage
Climate Control
Collins-Oliver, Inc.
Community Care Center of Baker
Community Coffee Company, LLC
Computer Heaven, Inc.
Computer Specialist, Inc.
Co-Op Book Store, Inc.
Cortana Mall
Council For A Better Louisiana
Cracker Barrel Stores, Inc.
CRC, Inc. of Louisiana
Credit Bureau of Baton Rouge
Crestmark Capital
Crump Wilson Architects
Daigrepont & Brian, APAC
Dale J. Politz, DDS
Damico & Stockstill - Attorney at Law
Daniel A. Reed-Seale, Smith,
Zuber & Barnette
Deep South Equipment Company
deGravelles & Associates
Delta College of Arts &
Technology
DEMCO
DetlefsJohnson, LLC.
Dexcomm
Diamond Mazda, Inc.
Diane Allen & Associates, Inc.
Digestive Health Center of
Louisiana
Digital Press & Graphics
Diverse Companies Worldwide, LLC
DMS Mail Management
Dunaway Realty Company, Inc.
Dykes Electric, Inc.
E. Jacob Fakouri Construction
EATEL
Elizabethan Gallery
Embassy Suites Hotel
Encore Associates, Inc.
Ethan Allen - Grand Gallery, Inc
Evans-Graves Engineers, Inc.
Excel Group
Facilities Management Specialist, Inc.
Felder’s Collision Parts, Inc.
Fireside Antiques
FMOL Health System, Inc.
Formosa Plastics Corp.
Frank G. Sullivan. Jr. Contractor
Frazee Recruiting Consultants, Inc.
Gage Telephone Systems, Inc.
Gambino’s Bakery
Garrison Advertising
Gerard A. Ruth
Gerry Lane Enterprises
Glenn M. Kidder, DDS A
Professional Dental Corp.
Gold Star Trophies
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
Greater Baton Rouge Industry
Alliance, Inc.
Greater Baton Rouge State Fair
Greater King David Baptist
Church
Gregory M. Eaton, Attorney
Guaranty Group
Guglielmo Marks Schutte
Terhoeve & Love, Attorney
Gulf Coast Social Services
Gulf South Business Systems &
Consultants
Gully, Phelps & McKey, Inc.
H.V. Sales Company, Inc.
Hampton Inn I-10 & College Dr.
Hanlon Properties
High Tech Security Systems, Inc.
Highland Cabinets & Millworks, Inc.
Holly B. Clegg, Inc.
Home Furniture Company Airline Hwy.
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Honeywell
HSoft Consulting - Perkins
Computer Center
Hyatt Place
Iberville Chamber of Commerce
Innovative Steel Detailing, Inc.
Iron Mountain Information
Management
ISC Constructors, L.L.C.
ITI Technical College
J.W. Grand, Inc.
James B. Smith, II, DDS
Jamie Walsh Berdon, Interior
Design/Interior Concepts
Jefferson Animal Hospital
Jeffrey M. Kadair, DDS
Jere Price
Jim Welsh, Inc.
J’s Exclusive Fashions
Juban’s Restaurant & Catering
Junior Achievement of Greater
Baton Rouge, Inc.
Junior League of Baton Rouge, Inc.
Justice & Huang Engineers, Inc.
Keller Consulting, LLC
La Quinta Inn - S. Acadian Thrwy
Lance Hayes Designs & Flowers
Landsource, Inc.
Larry K’s Realtor
LATAN/LA Assistive Technology
Access Network
Latter & Blum - Commercial
LEMIC Insurance Company
Lewis Computer Services, Inc.
Lighting & Electrical Associates of BR
Livingston Economic
Development Council
Livingston Parish Chamber of
Commerce
Louisiana Business and
Technology Center
Louisiana Casino Association
Louisiana Companies
Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance
43
Louisiana Gold & Coins
Louisiana Machinery Company, LLC
Louisiana Primary Care
Association, Inc.
Louisiana Retailers Association
Louisiana State University
Louisiana Technology Park, L.L.C.
LUBA Workers’ Comp
Lyons Speciality Company, LLC/
AA Vending Service
M & S Electric
Maison Bocage Apartments/
Aronov Realty Management Inc.
Mall of Louisiana
Manpower of Baton Rouge, LLC
MAPP Construction, LLC
March of Dimes, South Louisiana Chapter
McLavy, Ltd.
Michael C. Palmintier
Michael Glover, CPA A
Professional Accounting Corp
Michael R. Choate & Company CPAs, PC
Mid South Transportation
Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc.
Neopost/American Mailing &
Shipping
New York Life Insurance Thomas McConathy
Nolan Kimble Interiors
Nottoway Plantation, Inc.
Ochsner Clinic Foundation Baton Rouge
Ochsner Clinic LLC
Ochsner Health Plan
Ochsner Home Care Services
Odyssey Jewelry Manufacturing, Inc.
Office Depot - Siegen Lane
Office Direct
On Hold Systems
Otey White & Associates Advertising & Public Relations
Our Lady of the Lake College
Our Lady of the Lake Foundation
Owens Collision & Service Center
44
Patrician Management, Inc.
Pearson’s Luggage and Travel
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Peters Forest Resources, Inc.
Planche - Politz - Ledet., LLC
Precision Industries
Preferred Telephone Systems
Professional Printer of Baton Rouge, Inc.
Provost Salter Harper & Alford, LLC
Public Affairs Research Council
of Louisiana
Publisher, InRegister
Quality Litigation Support, Inc.
R. Michael Lee, DDS
Rebel Stamp & Sign Co., Inc.
Reflections, Inc.
Regions Insurance
Residence Inn by Marriott Siegen Lane
Retirement Consultants of LA
Richard L. Wampold, DDS
River City Air Xpress
Robert Parker
Roedel, Parsons, Koch, Blache,
Balhoff & McCollister
Safety Council
Sam’s Wholesale Club - Airline Highway
Sam’s Wholesale Club - North Mall
Saturn of Baton Rouge
Saurage Rotenberg Commercial
Real Easte LLC
SCORE
Select Properties, Ltd. Realty
SGS Petroleum Service
Corporation
ShareVista
Sherwood Middle School
Sherwood Tower Office Complex
Shred-It International, Inc.
Sigma Consulting Group, Inc.
Source Capital
Southern Fastener & Tool
Company, Inc.
St. James Place
Stanley Security
State Farm Insurance - Stan Douglas
Stonetrust Commercial Insurance Company
Strategic Staffing Solutions
Success Labs
Sugar Industry Equipment, Inc.
Sunshine Pages by EATEL
T.J. Ribs, Inc.
Target Marketing
The Baton Rouge Clinic, A.M.C.
The Blood Center
The Celtic Group
The Massad-Olinde Group
The Office Helper
The People Factor, LLC
The Powell Group
The Shaw Group Inc.
The Storage Center
The Trophy House
The University Club
The Young Leaders Academy
Thomas A. Cotten, CPA
Tiger Rag Magazine
Toner Recyclers, Inc.
Toni & Associcates - Job Finders/
Job Temps
Transfinancial Companies
Turn Key Solutions, LLC
Turner Professional Services, Ltd.
Turner Staffing, Ltd.
UBS Financial Services
URS Corporation
Utility Systems Services, Inc.
Venyu
Vittoria F. Lovisa & Associates
Volunteers of America Greater
Baton Rouge
Wealth Planners, LLC
West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce
Westaff
Whitney National Bank
Williamsburg Senior Living Community
WLPB - TV - Louisiana Public
Broadcasting Network
Wolf Creek Business Growth Institute
WRKF-FM/Public Radio, Inc.
Yellow Cab
0-10 YEARS
1stCo, Inc.
84 Lumber Company
A. Charles Stewart Consultants
AAmagin Property Group, LLC
AARP Louisiana
Absolute Care Providers, Inc.
Absolute Document Destruction
Academic Center for Student Athletes
Academic Distinction Fund
Acadian Frame & Art
Acadian Waste Disposal Service
Accurate Medical Billing, LLC
ACG Louisiana
Acme Oyster House
Acura - Infiniti of Baton Rouge
Adler’s Jewelry
ADT Security Services, a TYCO
International Company
Advance Baton Rouge
Advantage Payroll Services
Advantous Consulting, LLC
Air-Nu of Baton Rouge, LLC.
All in IT, LLC
Alpha Media and Public Relations
ALS Association
Always Best Care
Alzheimer’s Sevices
Ambassador Personnel
America’s Thrift Stores
Anton’s Fine Jewelry
Anytime Fitness - Jefferson Hwy.
Apartment Finder of Baton Rouge
Apex Solutions USA, LLC
AquaPure of Louisiana
Ascension Chamber of Commerce
Ascension Economic
Development Corp.
Ashco Exteriors Inc.
Ashley Furniture Homestore, LLC
Ashley Manor
Assaf, Simoneaux, Tauzin & Associates
Associated Grocers, Inc.
Association of Louisiana Electric
Cooperatives
Atticus Media, LLC
Automotive Color Inc.
Aveda Institute Baton Rouge
Baker Chamber of Commerce
Baker Printing, Inc.
Baker, Donelson, Bearman,
Caldwell & Berkowitz
Bank of Greensburg
Bankers Life and Casualty Company
Baton Rouge Affiliate of Susan G. Komen
Baton Rouge Army Recruiting Battalion
Baton Rouge Black Chamber of Commerce
Baton Rouge Brown Claim
Service, Inc.
Baton Rouge Business Profile
Directory LLC
Baton Rouge Diaper Service, LLC
Baton Rouge Green
Baton Rouge Growth Coalition
Baton Rouge Health Care Center
Baton Rouge Heritage House
Baton Rouge Police Supplies
Baton Rouge Primary Care
Collaborative, Inc.
Baton Rouge River Center
Battered Women’s Program
Capital Area Family Violence
Bayou Coatings, LLC
BBR Creative
Bellelo’s Furniture & Appliances
Best Western - Denham Springs
Bethany World Prayer Center
Bistro Byronz
Bizzuka, Inc.
Boardwalk Place
Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers
Boudreaux’s II, Inc.
Boys Hope Girls Hope Baton Rouge
BP American, Inc.
BRADIC
BREC - Recreation & Park
Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge
BRH Consultants Incorported
Britton & Koontz Bank, N.A.
Brookshire Cleaning Service, LLC.
Buffalo Wild Wings
C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, Inc.
C. J. Brown Realtors
Cabela’s
Cajun Collision, Inc
Cajun Flavors
Cambria Suites by Choice Hotels
Camden Lake Apartments
Campus Crossings at Highland
Campus Federal Credit UnionNicholson Ext.
Campus Federal Credit UnionStudent Union
Capital City Press Federal Credit Union
Capitol Business Coaches, Inc.
Capitol City Produce Company, LLC.
Career Compass of Louisiana
Carleton, Dunlap, Olinde, Moore & Bohman
CarMax, Inc
Carrabba’s Italian Restaurant
Cassie Felder & Associates LLC
Cenikor
Central Economic Development
Foundation
Chaffe, McCall, LLP
Champion Wealth Strategies, LLC
Chase Home Finance
Chef Don Bergeron Enterprises
Chelsea’s
Chick-Fil-A Mall of Louisiana
Children’s Charter School
Circle K Stores Inc
Citiscape at Essen
City of Baton Rouge Office of the Mayor
City of Central
City of Slaughter
City of St. Gabriel
City Social Magazine
Clay Young Enterprises, LLC
Clements Management, LLC
Collier Fire and Safety Co., Inc
Comfort Inn
Comfort Keepers
Comfort Suites - Valley Creek Road
Comm-Care Corporation
Comprehensive Occupational
Resource
Computer Consulting & Support
Concrete & Aggregates
Association of Louisiana
Consumer Credit Counseling
Services
Cook Conference Center & Hotel
at Louisiana State University
Cook, Moore and Associates
Corks-n-Canvas
Corporate Resources, LLC
Counter Culture
Country Legends 107.3
Covalent Logic
Creative Employee Benefit
Services, LLC
Cribbs, Inc.
CSL Plasma
Culinary Productions
Cyntreniks, LLC
D Honore Construction
Daniel & Eustis, LLC.
DataKeepers, LLC
DauphinIslandBeachHouse.net
Days Inn & Suites
Dee Mather-Muenzler - Re/Max First
Denson Advertising & Promotions
Dermasurgery Center
Desselle-Maggard
Dezins Interactive, LLC
Didier Consultants, Inc.
Digital FX, Inc.
Dimensions In Design
Direct Buy of Baton Rouge
Disabled American Veterans
Distinctive Homes by Watson
D’Jon’s Restaurant
Domino’s Pizza Distribution
Donaldsonville Chamber of Commerce
Doug Welborn Clerk of Court
Douglas Manship Sr. Theater, LLC
Dow LA Federal Credit Union
Downtown Business Association
Downtown Duplicating
Drift Web Design, Inc.
Drury Inn & Suites
Dub Johnson Paving Contractor, Inc.
Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers
Duplantis Design Group, PC
Dutch Physical Therapy
D’Ville House
E Federal Credit Union
E.B.S.
Eagle Financial Services
Eagle USA Roofing
East Bank Realty
East Baton Rouge Council on Aging
East Baton Rouge Mortgage
Finance Authority
East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority
East Baton Rouge Parish Library
East Feliciana Chamber of Commerce
Easter Seals Louisiana Inc.
Edible Arrangements
Edmonson Associates
Education for Living Seminars
Elegant Memories
Energy Basics, LLC
Englobal Engineering
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
ERA Stirling Properties, LLC
Essential Solutions, LLC
Evans Equipment/Environmental
Exec-U-Store
Exit Realty Keystone
Fabric Warehouse
FastSigns - Florida Blvd.
FedEx Ground
FedEx Kinko’s - Bluebonnet Blvd.
Ferris Engineering & Surveying, LLC
Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank
Firestone Complete Auto Care Burbank
Firestone Complete Auto Care Seigen
First American Bank
First Bank and Trust
Fisherbill, Inc. DBA Images and
Silkscreens
Fitness & Media Management for
Spectrum Fitness Clubs
Fleur Du Jour LLC
Flowers Baking Company of
Baton Rouge
Foley & Judell Law Firm
Forethought Consulting, Inc.
Forte and Tablada, Inc.
Forum 35
Franklin Industries, LLC
Freshealth, Inc. DBA Homewatch
Caregivers
Fugro Consultants, Inc.
Garcia Roofing and Sheet Metal
Garrety & Associates, LLC.
GatorWorks Web Design
Geaux Promotions
GEC, Inc.
Geico
GEM Consulting, LTD
Generator Supercenter
Georgia-Pacific
Gibson’s Mobile Detail
Glazer’s Wholesale
GMFS, LLC
Gold Star Signs
GOV-SYNC
Greater Baton Rouge Airport District
Greater Baton Rouge Signs
Greater LA Staffing DBA Spherion
Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber
of Commerce
Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce
Green Tree Accounting Services
Group Novak, LLC
Guaranty Bank and Trust
Gulf Coast Balloons &
Promotions
Gulf Coast Bank & Trust
Gulf South Primary Care
Gulf South Technology Solutions
H & R Block
Habitat for Humanity of G.B.R.
Hahn Roofing
Hampton Inn & Suites - Reiger Road
Harris Manor Realty, LLC
Harvey Enterprises
Harvey Honore Enterprises, LLC
Hawthorn, Waymouth & Carroll, LLP
Haynie & Associates
Health Care Centers in Schools
Heck Industries
Heirloom Cuisine
HELP Software Systems, Inc.
Heritage Manor of Baton Rouge
Hightower, John S. - LSU Law Center
Hill Consulting, Inc.
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Hollingsworth Richards
Home Bank
Home Furniture - Bluebonnet Blvd.
Home Instead Senior Care
Hometown Productions, Inc.
Hoo-Knows Home and 45
Garden Magazine
Hope Ministries
Horne LLP
Hospice of Baton Rouge
Hotel Indigo - Baton Rouge
Downtown
Humana
Hunt, Guillot & Associates, LLC
I.T. by Design
IBERIABANK
Iberville Parish
ImmediaCARE
Indigo Park
Inkit Promotions
Innovation Insights, LLC
Innovative Waste Systems
Insurance Network of Louisiana
Intec America Corporation
Interactive Solutions, LLC
Intrastate Development, LLC DBA
Village Charmant
Investar Bank
ISE, Inc.
J&J Exterminating Co., Inc.
J.D.E. Inc.
JACO Consulting & Employee Training
James Avery
James H. Ware, Jr.
Jamie Wax Productions
Jani King of Baton Rouge
Jason’s Deli - Citiplace
Jason’s Deli - Siegen Lane
Jerry del Rio Real Estate, Inc.
Jim Criscoe-ACN Rep.
Johnny’s Pizza House
Joubert Law Firm, A.P.L.C.
JPMorgan Chase
JPS Security & Consulting, LLC
Just Kids Dental
Keller Williams Realty
Keypoint Federal Credit Union
K-fx2, Inc.
L. A. Champagne & Co., LLP
L. Griffin Transport, LLC
46
L. J. Grezaffi D/B/A L. J. G. Land Company
LA Association of Business and Industries
LA Campaign for Tobacco Free Living
La Carreta, Inc.
LA Chemical, Pipe Valve & Fittings
La Health & Rehabilitation
Center, Inc.
La Quinta Inn & Suites
Lake Towers
LaTech
Latter & Blum, Inc. Realtors
Property Management
Latuso & Johnson, CPA, LLC
L’auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino
Law Offices of Daniel Claitor
La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries
Lebray Group LLC
Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
Level 3 Communications LLC
Level Construction and
Development
Lewis Pierce Fine Clothing
Lifeshare Blood Center
Lincoln Builders of Baton Rouge
Little Village Restaurant
Livingston Roofing Company &
Sheetmetal, Inc.
LogoWear Direct
Long Law Firm
Loss Prevention Trainers, LLC
Louisiana Assistive Technology
Access Network
Louisiana Association of
Nonprofit Organizations
Louisiana Bayou Bistro
Louisiana Board of Regents
Louisiana Fund 1
Louisiana Minority Supplier
Development Council
Louisiana Office Supply Company
Louisiana Oil and Gas Association
Louisiana Relay Service
Louisiana Staffing Unlimited, Inc.
Louisiana Timed Managers
LSU - Career Services
LSU - College of Business
LSU - Entrepreneurship Institute
LSU - Office of Intellectual
Property, Commercialization &
Development
LSU / CBM2
LSU Executive MBA Prof. MBA
Alumni Association
LSU Honors College
LSU Hurricane Center
LSU School of Architecture
LSU System Research &
Technology Foundation
MADD
Magnolia Canteen of Baton Rouge
Magnolia Construction Company, LLC
Maison Dupuy Hotel
Mansurs on the Boulevard
Marmillion Gray Media, Inc.
Marriott Execustay
Marsanne Golsby & Associates
Mary Ann Sternberg
Mary Kay Cosmetics - Linda Cypriano
Massengale Grounds
Management, Inc.
Max Fitness
Medical Spa of Baton Rouge
MedVance
Melrose Apartments
Melrose Peppermill II
Merit Electrical, Inc.
Mesh Design, LLC
MetLife - Chris Reid
Microtel Inn & Suites - Harding Blvd.
Middleberg, Riddle & Gianna
MidSouth Bank
MIE Properties, Inc.
Millennium - Towne Center
MJ Networking
Morgan Keegan & Company Investment Banking
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC
Mortgage Lending Group
MPower Group, LLC.
Mugshots Grill & Bar
MWH Americas, Inc
My Office Products
Myco-Com, Inc.
Myphone MD
N H Holding
Nagoya Restaurant, Inc.
National Housing Consultant Services
Neel Schaffer
Neighbors Federal Credit Union
Net Concepts by Calix
Netchex
Network USA
New Orleans Portable Storage
Noesis Data
Northwestern Mutual of
Louisiana - Baton Rouge
Nu Vieux, LLC
Oakhaven - CMHC of Baton Rouge
Oats & Hudson
OBD Edge, LLC
O’Brien House
Oceans Behavorial Hospital of
Baton Rouge
Office Depot - Bluebonnet
Office Depot - Millerville Road
Office Furniture World, Inc.
Old Jefferson Community Care Center
Olinde’s
Omni Bank of Baton Rouge
One Mortgage
Optimal Health Out-Patient Clinic
Orion Instruments, LLC
Orkin Pest Control
P & N Promos
P & N Technologies
Paetec
Park on Bluebonnet
Paul & Isela Perlstone
Paul Davis Restoration
Paychex, Inc.
PBK
Peek/Howe Real Estate, Inc.
Pelican Point Golf Club
Pepsi Americas
Percy, Stromberg, Bush &
Lanoux, Attorneys at Law
Peter A. Mayer Advertising
Peters Wealth Advisors, LLC
Petro TV
Piggly Wiggly
Pinnacle Entertainment
Pinnacle Personal Care
Pinson & Associates
Pitney Bowes, Inc.
Pknocks World Explore
Plank Road Cleaners
Plus One, LLC
Port of West Feliciana/ West
Feliciana Parish Port Commission
Portofino Papers, LLC
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.
Durwood Keller, Ind. Associate
Price LeBlanc Lexus Toyota
Pro Sold Realty
Professional Engineering
Consultants
Property One, Inc.
Prosys Inc.
Provident Resources Group Inc.
Pyburn & Odom, Inc.
Quick Courier Services
Quill
Radiant Health of Baton Rouge
Radisson Hotel
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Ralph and Kacoo’s
Ralph’s of Baton Rouge, Inc.
Rampart Resources, Inc.
Ramware
Re/Max - Janie Fowler
Re/Max First
Re/Max Total
Read Construction, LLC
Real Estate America, LLC
Re-Bath of Baton Rouge
Recovery Spine & Neurology
Red Door Interiors
Red Oak Water Company, Inc.
Red Roof Inn
Red Six Media
Regal Nails Salon & Spa, LLC
Regatta Research & Money
Management, LLC
ReMax First - Brittney Pino
Gautreaux
Remax First Baton Rouge
Remington College Baton Rouge Campus
Rende’s Quick Stop
Republic Finance, LLC.
Research Park Corp.
Residence Inn by Marriott Townecenter
Resource Lending Group, LLC
Ricky Blanton Insurance Agency
Ritter Maher Architects, LLC.
River City Therapy Services
River Road Coffees, LTD.
Riverside Limousines
RMJ Consulting
Robert Rose Consulting, Inc.
Rockit Science Agency
Roofing Solutions, LLC
rTe Millworks
Russell Maven Consulting, LLC
Sabine Pools, Spas & Furniture
Sales & Marketing Executives of
Greater Baton Rouge
Salon Boheme
Sandler Training/Herrick
Consulting Group
Schering-Plough Animal Health
SCI Research
Scotlandville Middle PreEngineering Magnet
Select Stone, LLC
Service Master Services
Shaw Center
Shell Chemical Company
Shockey & Associates
Signature Shoes, LLC
Simpson’s Service Center, Inc.
Smarty Pants Village
Snap Fitness - Jefferson Highway
Snelling Staffing
Solomon Episcopal Conference Center
Southern Strategy Group LA
Southern University
Southern University System
Southern University System
Foundation
Southwest Computer Bureau Inc.
Specialty Blocks, LLC
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Airport
Sprint Business Solutions
St. Elizabeth Foundation
St. Francisville Chamber of
Commerce
Staples
Starmount Life Insurance
Company
State Bank & Trust
State Farm Insurance - Anna Jones
State Farm Insurance - Joan Mire
State Farm Insurance Company
STAY 225
Staybridge Suites
Sterne Agee & Leach, Inc.
Stonehenge Capital Company
Strix Louisiana, LLC
Stuart & Company General
Contractors
STUN Design & Advertising
Stupp Corporation
Submeter One, LLC
Success Designs
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
Sun Plus, Inc.
Sunrise Assisted Living at Siegen
Sunshine Cleaners
Super 8 Motel - Rieger Road
Surgical Specialty Center of
Baton Rouge
SWBC Mortgage
Sweedee, Inc
Sysco Food Services of New Orleans
Systems Services, Inc.
T. Baker Smith, Inc.
T. W. Telecom
Tanger Outlet Center
Taylor Clark, Inc.
Teach For America
Technical Services Group, Inc.
Teknarus
Tekton Executive IT Group
Teledyne Odom Hydrographic
Systems, Inc
Terminex
Terracon
The Aesthetic Medicine & Anti-Aging Clinics of Louisiana
The BIC Alliance
The City of Central Chamber of Commerce
The Communication Institute
The Day Group
The Dunham School
The Highlands Bank
The Kiffe CPA Firm
The King Group
The Port of Greater Baton Rouge
The Recycling Foundation of
Baton Rouge, LLC
The Richmond Group, LLC
The Russo Group
The Venue at Northgate
The Victorian of the Felicianas
Tiger Manor Condominiums
Tillage Construction, LLC
Tommy’s Printing & Promotion
Items, LLC
Top Choice
Topcor Companies, LLC
Total Care Injury & Pain Centers
Town of White Castle
Townhomes of Sherwood Forest
TraceSecurity, Inc.
Trahan Architects
TriStar Graphics Group
Tsunami Sushi
Tutor Doctor Baton Rouge
Tutor Doctor of South Louisiana
Tyrus Thomas, Inc.
U.S. Composite Pipe South
Unified Recovery Group, LLC
United Blood Services
United Community Bank
United Health Care of LA, Inc.
Universal ComOne
University of Phoenix, Baton
Rouge Learning Center
UpLIFTD/StaffUP Resources
UPS Store - Jefferson Hwy.
UPS Store - Sherwood & Coursey
Upton, Draughon & Bollinger, LLC.
Urban Systems Associates, Inc.
UREC (Urban Restoration
Enhancement Corporation
Value Place - Airline Highway
Value Place - Harrell”s Ferry Road
Vanguard College of
Cosmetology, A Paul Mitchell
Partner School
Varsity Title
Venture Technologies
Verma Systems, Inc.
Village at Juban Lakes
Virginia College LLC
Vision 4Less
Vivid Ink, Inc.
Vizado A Division of Certified Alarms
Volkert, Inc.
Volunteer Baton Rouge!
VoterVoice
Walker’s Lawn & Landscape
Management
Wal-Mart - College Drive
Wal-Mart - Cortana
Wal-Mart - Highland Road
Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market Coursey Blvd.
Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market Old Hammond Hwy.
Wal-Mart North Mall Drive
Waste Management of LA, LLC
Watts Didier Architects, LLC
Weight Loss Surgical Centers of Louisiana
Weill, Dunn & Koch, LLC
Wesley Construction Company, Inc.
West Baton Rouge Convention &
Visitors Bureau
Westport Linen Services
Whataburger, Inc.
Whealdon Estates
Whitehead Law Firm
Whole Foods Market
Willing Mind Janitorial
Wireless Zone
Wooddale Mental Health
Woodward Design+Build
WPFC 1550 AM
Wright Feigley Communications
Xdesign, Inc.
Youth Oasis
YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge
Zachary Chamber of Commerce
Zehnder Communications, Inc.
Zeigler Tree Removal of Baton Rouge
47
48
ON
BAT
ROUGE AREA CHAMB
ER
49
50
Pictured Left to Right: Kimberly “Janet J” Baptiste, Controller; Jim “Kid Rock” Cavanaugh, Project
Manager (Regional); Ryan “Justin B” Cooney, Project Manager (East Baton Rouge); Nicole “Madonna”
David, Director of Events; Ashley “Gwen S” Dugas, Administrative Coordinator; Ben “Robert P”
Gremillion, Research Intern; Adam “Eminem” Knapp, President and CEO; Kate “Dolly P” MacArthur,
Director of Business Intelligence; Meg “Annie L” Mahoney, SVP of Product Development; Pam “Reba
M” Martin, Information Specialist; Edie “Cindy L” Michel, Director of Business Development
(Regional); Erin “Beyonce” Wesley, SVP of Governmental Affairs; Dorothy “Cher” Stillson,
Executive Assistant to SVPs of Governmental Affairs and Product Development; Iain “Willie N”
Vasey, Executive Director of Business Development; Toni “Joan J” Villa, Office Manager; R. Giles
“Frank S” Whiting, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer
Pictured Left to Right: Ryan “Enrique I” Gremillion, Policy and Research Project Manager; Hans “Vanilla
Ice” Gurtner, City Hall Fellow; Gwen “Tina T” Hamilton, Director of Education Reform; “The artist
formally known as” Angela Hardison, Graphic/Web Designer; Terry “Bruce S” Jones, Executive Director
of RIO; Amber “Shania T” Kling, Executive Assistant to President/CEO; Bettsie “Doris D” Norton; Mike
“Devo” Odom, SVP of Marketing; Rachel “Stevie N” Pierson, Business Recruitment Manager; Lindsay
“Paula A” Roberts, Research Analyst; Steve “Garth B” Sparks, Director of Business Retention &
Expansion; Karen “Olivia N-J” Zito, Director of Investor Development; Marie “I Mandrell” Carmody, The
Greater Baton Rouge Literacy Coalition; Leigh “L Mandrell” Vaughan, The Greater Baton Rouge Literacy
Coalition; Debbie “B Mandrell” O’Connor, The Greater Baton Rouge Literacy Coalition
51
"Most of us go to our graves with
our music still inside of us." Unknown