HPD Recordings give an inside look
October 28, 2015
TRAGIC ENDING
October 28, 2015
As my term comes to an end, I want to take the time to look back on the economic opportunities that have been created over the past eight years. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in the debates and the back-and-forth of this governor’s race, and rightfully so. My hope is the next governor will be able to continue our record of accomplishment on revamping our economy and bringing prosperity to the private sector.
When I look back on the numerous ground-breaking events, ribbon cutting ceremonies, and grand openings I have been a part of, I will always remember the sheer excitement that filled those rooms. The people at those events, and the thousands that are filling those new jobs now have a greater opportunity to build a fruitful career and a new Louisiana tradition with their families. These are the people who will thrive in a prosperous, good paying job that they may not have been able to find in the past.
After I was elected governor, I worked quickly to reform our workforce programs, our tax structure, and our education system. I wasn’t overhauling our programs simply to be recognized. Because of those efforts, Louisiana has attracted big business ventures with many companies like CenturyLink, Sasol, IBM, GE Capital and Bell Helicopter, just to name a few.
These incredible investments have opened the door to greater opportunities.
Just over the last few years, we’ve had several major job announcements per month that have created hundreds of direct and indirect jobs across Louisiana. Before we came into office, Louisianians would have thrown a parade for any announcement that created over five hundred jobs. Winning a job announcement of over a few hundred jobs was unprecedented, and now, it barely fazes most of us. It’s the new norm.
And what’s even better is that this re-invigorated business climate has set the stage for greater and better investments in the future. Over the past seven years, we’ve shined a spotlight on nearly every region across the state and embraced the strengths of each area’s potential. Thanks to the partnerships across Louisiana, we’ve boosted the economies in small towns and truly enhanced the landscape of our bigger cities.
Take for instance, IBM’s 800-job announcement in downtown Baton Rouge. We knew this project would generate a substantial development that would forever change the working, living and social environment of downtown Baton Rouge. Not only were we creating hundreds of good paying jobs for the Capital Region, but we were helping to revitalize the downtown landscape for the better. Investments like these have revamped areas across our state and attracted future companies to take a closer look at our hometowns.
When I took office, we made a promise to the people of Louisiana that we would spur economic growth by making Louisiana the best place to live, work and raise a family. Today, Louisiana’s frontier for business is thriving and we have more people working in Louisiana than ever before, with a higher per capita income than any point in our history. Our reforms have made Louisiana more competitive and they’ve helped create the biggest economic revival our state has ever seen. We are now better equipped for the future and our greatest hope is that our families will continue to live, work and play here in Louisiana for many generations to come.
Since 2008, Louisiana has attracted world-scale energy, technology, corporate and manufacturing projects that are producing more than $62 billion in new capital investment and resulting in more than 91,000 new jobs in the state.
