Business Briefs for Sept. 16, 2012
La. ranked No. 16 in pro-business report
Louisiana ranked No. 16 in Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc.’s annual ranking of top pro-business states, rising from No. 18 last year.
Louisiana has climbed 24 spots in Pollina’s ranking since 2008, making it the most improved state in the country over the last four years, the Louisiana economic development department reported.
Pollina ranks the 50 states on 32 factors, including evaluations of business tax burdens, workforce training programs, worker’s compensation costs, economic development incentives, energy costs, marketing programs and state economic development efforts.
Job fair set Tuesday for veterans, public
A job fair for veterans and the public will be held Tuesday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 4728 Constitution Ave.
A 9-11 a.m. segment is open only to veterans and spouses, with 11 a.m.–1 p.m. set aside for the public.
For more information, contact Louisiana Workforce Commission – Veterans Unit’s Bob Hartman at (225) 922-1320 or rhartman@lwc.la.gov.
Edison Chouest expands construction
Edison Chouest Offshore, a group of marine transportation companies, announced the addition of eight vessels to a one-year building effort under which 25 vessels already are under construction at shipyards worldwide.
Delivery of the deepwater offshore service vessels is expected within the next 24 months.
ECO supports U.S. Gulf deepwater operations and an expanding global market with a fleet of more than 200 offshore service and supply vessels. The new group of newbuilds will be constructed on speculation, ECO Vice President of Operations Dino Chouest said in a news release.
WBR site certified development-ready
A 204-acre site in West Baton Rouge Parish has been certified under the Louisiana Economic Development certified-sites program.
The announcement was made by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce.
The two organizations worked with the WBR Planning and GIS Departments, Entergy and land owners Noland-McKay LLC to obtain the necessary reports and documents needed for certification.
The site is now certified as development-ready and can be used as a marketing tool when companies are seeking opportunities for relocation or expansion in the Baton Rouge area, the chambers said in a news release.
This is the first LED-certified site in West Baton Rouge Parish and the fifth certified site in the Capital Region.
“BRAC encourages industrial and commercial property owners who are interested in participating in this program to contact us. This will allow the property to be heavily considered by prospects interested in relocating or expanding in the Capital Region,” said Iain Vasey, executive director of business development at BRAC.
Owners of industrial or commercial tracts of land greater than 25 acres interested in site certification should contact Jim Cavanaugh, project manager with BRAC, at (225) 381-7125.
Women’s group sets fall conference
The Jefferson Parish Business and Professional Women’s Club will host the Southeast District Fall Conference of BPW 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at East Jefferson General Hospital at 4200 Houma Blvd. in Metairie.
The Southeast District includes St. Bernard, New Orleans, Jefferson, Donaldsonville and Baton Rouge local organizations.
Guest speaker is Shelly D. Dick, of Baton Rouge, who was nominated by President Barack Obama to the federal judgeship position in the U.S. Middle District Court in Baton Rouge.
There is no charge to attend.